VUSAF Decorations, Ranks, Badges

Decorations

Air Force Medal of Honor
Awarded for selfless gallantry and heroism in the face of danger. This can only be given by a council vote or CO's appointment. This is the highest honor given within the VUSAF.
Air Force Cross

Awarded for extraordinary heroism against an opposing armed force. Given for the same reason as the Medal of Honor but for a lesser act. This can only be given by the CO's appointment.
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Awarded for exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility. You must have officer status, have flown over 150 sorties, be above the rank of Captain and have an extremely strong success rate both for yourself and the unit under your command to qualify for it. It is given by a council vote or CO's appointment.
Silver Star


Awarded for distinguished gallantry in action against any enemy of allied forces. The council can choose to vote on it and give it to a deserving pilot, or the CO can give it to any pilot he thinks has earned this prestigious award.
Defense Superior Service Medal

Awarded for superior meritorious service while in a position of significant responsibility during a joint activity. You must fly at least 90 sorties, have officer status, and be above the rank of 1st Lt. to qualify. It is given by a squad vote or CO's appointment.
Legion of Merit

Awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service. This is awarded to a member for great flying and good conduct. It can be given by a council vote or CO's appointment.
Distinguished Flying Cross

Awarded for heroism or extraordinary achievement in aerial flight. Can be given for the accomplishment of amazing aerial feats or heroism in combat. This is awarded by a council vote or CO's appointment.
Bronze Star

Awarded for heroic or meritorious achievement. Much the same as the Silver Star, but this can be awarded for meritorious achievement as well as heroic deeds. This can be given by a council vote or CO/XO's appointment.
Purple Heart

Awarded for being wounded or killed in combat. This is given if you are killed or injured during an act of bravery. Awarded by CO's appointment or a council vote.
Defense Meritorious Service Medal

Awarded for various achievements during a flying career. You must have over 17 other awards and act with dignity and respect in and out of flight.
Meritorious Service Medal

Awarded for meritorious service in or out of combat. This is given to a pilot for exceptional achievements outside of combat. Given by a council vote.
Air Medal

Awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in flight or for a single act of heroism against an armed enemy. Can be awarded by the Council or CO for excellent service in the air over an extended period of time, or for a single instance of valor during a mission.
Aerial Achievement Medal

Awarded for sustained meritorious achievement while flying. This can be given for exceptional flying throughout a campaign by the Council or CO/XO's appointment.
Joint Service Commendation Medal

Awarded for accomplishments made during joint operation with the navy, marines, army, or coast guard. This is given to the pilots who successfully accomplish 2 campaigns and have no deaths with other forces.

Air Force Commendation Medal

Awarded for heroism, meritorious service, or meritorious achievement. This can be given by a council vote or officer's appointment.
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Awarded for accomplishments made during joint operation with the navy, marines, army, or coast guard. This is given to the pilots who successfully accomplish 2 campaigns with other forces.
Air Force Achievement Medal

Awarded for heroism, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service. This can be given for an instance of heroism, or for a period of meritorious service or achievement.
Air Force Presidential Unit Citation
Awarded by the president as a sign of recognition and good flying. This is awarded by a CO/XO's appointment or a council vote if they are impressed by the performance of a particular unit during a campaign.
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Awarded to the unit with the best overall joint mission success. This is given to a unit that completes a campaign successfully while working with another service
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Awarded for excellent flying by a squad over the course of a year. This is given to any members that have never lost a campaign mission after a 6 month span or the end of the year.
Air Force Organization Excellence Award
Awarded for good organizational skills of the unit. This is awarded to any unit who has no pilot deaths and no failed missions during a campaign.
Air Force Combat Readiness Medal

 
Air Force good Conduct Medal

 
Outstanding Airman of the Year
Self-explanatory. Given at the end of the year by a council vote where the person with the most votes wins.
Air Force Recognition Ribbon

It is given to any member that deserves recognition for any deed in or out of flight. This can be given by anyone with officer status or by a council vote.

National Defense Service Medal

Awarded for a successful campaign without dying where you are protecting your nation.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal may be authorized for three categories of operations: U.S. military operations; U.S. military operations in direct support of the United Nations; and U.S. operations of assistance to friendly foreign nations. 
Vietnam Service Medal

Awarded for serving the allied forces of Vietnam during the Vietnam War. This will be given to all pilots who successfully completed a Vietnam campaign without dying.
Southwest Asia Service Medal

Awarded for fighting any war in southwest Asia. Given to any pilot that successfully completes a campaign in any of these places.
Humanitarian Service Medal


Service members must have directly participated in the humanitarian act or operation within the designated geographical area of operation and within specified time limits. Specifically excluded from eligibility for this medal are personnel or elements remaining at geographically separated military headquarters.

Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon
Air Force Overseas Long Tour Ribbon
Air Force Longevity Service Award
Armed Forces Reserve Medal

Awarded for honorable and satisfactory service as a member of one or more of the Reserve Components of the Armed Forces of the United States for a period of 10 years within a 12-year period. Upon completion of the fourth 10-year period, a gold hourglass followed by a bronze hourglass shall be awarded.
Air Force Small Arms Expert Marksman
Air Force Training Ribbon
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Awarded for excellent unit work while in Korea. This will be given to any group of pilots who perform well in a Korean campaign. Given by CO's appointment or a council vote.
United Nations Service Medal

United Nations Medal

NATO Medal

Authorized by the Secretary General of NATO for specific NATO operations. In accordance with Executive Order 11446, the Secretary of Defense, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, may approve acceptance for operations and authorize the wear by US Service members who meet the criteria specified by the Secretary General of NATO. The acceptance of the NATO Medal has been approved for US Military personnel who serve under NATO Command or operational control in direct support of NATO operations in the former Republic of Yugoslavia, or as designated by Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (SACEUR), from 1 July 1992 through a future date to be determined.

Multinational Force & Observers Medal

Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon

This ribbon is awarded to honor graduates of Basic Military Training who, has demonstrated excellence in all phases of academic and military training and limited to the top 10 percent of the training flight.  

Inter-American Defense Board Medal

Ranks


NAME PICTURE
Title Insignia
Airman Basic
AB
None
Airman
Amn
Airman First Class
A1C
Senior Airman
SrA
Staff Sergeant
SSgt
Technical Sergeant
TSgt
Master Sergeant
MSgt
Senior Master Sergeant
SMSgt
Chief Master Sergeant
CMSgt
First Sergeant
Master Sergeant
1st Sgt MSgt
First Sergeant
Senior Master Sergeant
1st Sgt SMSgt
First Sergeant
Chief Master Sergeant
1st Sgt CMSgt
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force
CMSAF
Second Lieutenant 
First Lieutenant 
Captain
Major
Lieutenant  Colonel
Colonel
Brigadier  General
Major General
Lieutenant  General
General
 

Badges

Intelligence 
Judge Advocate 
Logistic Plans
Man Power and Personal
Operation Support
Public Affaires 
Services
Supply/Fuel
Weapons Director 
Command and Control
Communication & Information
Force Protection
Officer Aircrew Member
Pilot Wings

Home ] VUSAF Headquarters ] VUSAF Feedback ] What is expected of you ] VUSAF Command Roster ] [ VUSAF Decorations, Ranks, Badges ] VUSAF News ] VUSAF Regulations and Policies ]