Miniature or Regular?

[Fly Boy]

For those with wings, which do you prefer on the AF Blues? Miniature or Regular size?
Also, are there even cloth glider wings? Looking on Vanguard they do not appear.

Thanks, Fly Boy

[Eclipse]

Miniature for both wings and Ground badge, bear in mind they should match mini/mini, full/full.

[a2capt]

The place that got C&D'ed used to sell cloth glider wings, now that their inventory has been assimilated ..

[JROB]

I wear full size wings and Senior Ground Team badge.

[Gunner C]

While it's legal to wear regular size on a shirt and mini on the blues, you're best off with going with the traditional:  blue shirt takes a miniature while the service dress jacket takes the regular (full) size.

[JC004]

While it's legal to wear regular size on a shirt and mini on the blues, you're best off with going with the traditional:  blue shirt takes a miniature while the service dress jacket takes the regular (full) size.

Indeed.

[Custer]

While it's legal to wear regular size on a shirt and mini on the blues, you're best off with going with the traditional:  blue shirt takes a miniature while the service dress jacket takes the regular (full) size.

Indeed.

I wore full size wings on the shade 1549 shirt, but thats been gone a Looooong time

[JC004]

While it's legal to wear regular size on a shirt and mini on the blues, you're best off with going with the traditional:  blue shirt takes a miniature while the service dress jacket takes the regular (full) size.

Indeed.

I wore full size wings on the shade 1549 shirt, but thats been gone a Looooong time

Off with your head!  Unless you support the destruction of the Triangle Thingy...

[jb512]

While it's legal to wear regular size on a shirt and mini on the blues, you're best off with going with the traditional:  blue shirt takes a miniature while the service dress jacket takes the regular (full) size.

+1

Traditionally in the Air Force we wear mini wings on the shirt and the bigs on the service dress.

Officers normally wear mini wings with no ribbons on the blues shirt while enlisted wear ribbons and I've seen both minis and bigs there so...

[PHall]

While it's legal to wear regular size on a shirt and mini on the blues, you're best off with going with the traditional:  blue shirt takes a miniature while the service dress jacket takes the regular (full) size.

+1

Traditionally in the Air Force we wear mini wings on the shirt and the bigs on the service dress.

Officers normally wear mini wings with no ribbons on the blues shirt while enlisted wear ribbons and I've seen both minis and bigs there so...

Just don't be a tool and wear Regular size wings on Mess Dress. Yes we know it's authorized, but it screams "look at me, I'm a pilot!!!"

[jb512]

While it's legal to wear regular size on a shirt and mini on the blues, you're best off with going with the traditional:  blue shirt takes a miniature while the service dress jacket takes the regular (full) size.

+1

Traditionally in the Air Force we wear mini wings on the shirt and the bigs on the service dress.

Officers normally wear mini wings with no ribbons on the blues shirt while enlisted wear ribbons and I've seen both minis and bigs there so...

Just don't be a tool and wear Regular size wings on Mess Dress. Yes we know it's authorized, but it screams "look at me, I'm a pilot!!!"

Crazy officers and their pilot wings...

[HGjunkie]

While it's legal to wear regular size on a shirt and mini on the blues, you're best off with going with the traditional:  blue shirt takes a miniature while the service dress jacket takes the regular (full) size.

+1

Traditionally in the Air Force we wear mini wings on the shirt and the bigs on the service dress.

Officers normally wear mini wings with no ribbons on the blues shirt while enlisted wear ribbons and I've seen both minis and bigs there so...

Just don't be a tool and wear Regular size wings on Mess Dress. Yes we know it's authorized, but it screams "look at me, I'm a pilot!!!"

Crazy officers and their pilot wings...

+1

[Gunner C]

While it's legal to wear regular size on a shirt and mini on the blues, you're best off with going with the traditional:  blue shirt takes a miniature while the service dress jacket takes the regular (full) size.

+1

Traditionally in the Air Force we wear mini wings on the shirt and the bigs on the service dress.

Officers normally wear mini wings with no ribbons on the blues shirt while enlisted wear ribbons and I've seen both minis and bigs there so...

Just don't be a tool and wear Regular size wings on Mess Dress. Yes we know it's authorized, but it screams "look at me, I'm a pilot!!!"

What THAT says is "Look at me!  I can't read and can't find my wallet with both hands and a flashlight!"  Please tell me that you've never seen that and you just made it up.

[PHall]

While it's legal to wear regular size on a shirt and mini on the blues, you're best off with going with the traditional:  blue shirt takes a miniature while the service dress jacket takes the regular (full) size.

+1

Traditionally in the Air Force we wear mini wings on the shirt and the bigs on the service dress.

Officers normally wear mini wings with no ribbons on the blues shirt while enlisted wear ribbons and I've seen both minis and bigs there so...

Just don't be a tool and wear Regular size wings on Mess Dress. Yes we know it's authorized, but it screams "look at me, I'm a pilot!!!"

What THAT says is "Look at me!  I can't read and can't find my wallet with both hands and a flashlight!"  Please tell me that you've never seen that and you just made it up.

Seen it at a military wedding I was a participant in.

[Custer]

While it's legal to wear regular size on a shirt and mini on the blues, you're best off with going with the traditional:  blue shirt takes a miniature while the service dress jacket takes the regular (full) size.

Indeed.

I wore full size wings on the shade 1549 shirt, but thats been gone a Looooong time

Off with your head!  Unless you support the destruction of the Triangle Thingy...

Oh I most certainly do.  Death to the Triangle Thing!  Seriously, it looks like a joke

Considering the 1549 shirt has been gone for about 30 years, I'm surprised anybody remembers it.  For those who don't, it was a long sleeved shirt that was the same color as the pants.   The Coast Guard Aux still has one like it.  In the USAF I wore mine to Nav school at Mather AFB in 1980 but I was the only one, and it passed from existence only a year or so later.

The light blue shirts currently used sag badly if you wear full size wings on them.   I'm actually surprised badges and wings were never made out of plastic.  I have never even seen unauthorized ones like that.

[SarDragon]

I loved my 1549 shirt! I wore mine as much as possible. It pained me to give up wearing it. I was the same way about the USN version of that uniform.

[MIKE]

I wore a regular sized metal GT badge on both my service dress and service uniforms... The mini ones didn't come out until later.  I did not think just the regular sized GT badge looked too big on the shirts, but that was all I wore.  Had seen a lot of the mini wings and regular specialty insignia mix BITD also.

The CG just came out with a new Winter Blue shirt that has sewn in military creases.  I have been meaning to get one, but it's kind of out of season now.

[jb512]

I wore a regular sized metal GT badge on both my service dress and service uniforms... The mini ones didn't come out until later.  I did not think just the regular sized GT badge looked too big on the shirts, but that was all I wore.  Had seen a lot of the mini wings and regular specialty insignia mix BITD also.

The CG just came out with a new Winter Blue shirt that has sewn in military creases.  I have been meaning to get one, but it's kind of out of season now.

Everybody I've seen in the AF uniform with just the crab claw AFSC badge wears the full size.  I don't think I've ever seen a mini on anything unless they were wearing them with the mini wings.

[PHall]

I wore a regular sized metal GT badge on both my service dress and service uniforms... The mini ones didn't come out until later.  I did not think just the regular sized GT badge looked too big on the shirts, but that was all I wore.  Had seen a lot of the mini wings and regular specialty insignia mix BITD also.

The CG just came out with a new Winter Blue shirt that has sewn in military creases.  I have been meaning to get one, but it's kind of out of season now.

Everybody I've seen in the AF uniform with just the crab claw AFSC badge wears the full size.  I don't think I've ever seen a mini on anything unless they were wearing them with the mini wings.

Probably because the miniature speciality badges were discontinued about 10 years ago.

[AlphaSigOU]

I think the only two sizes offered for AFSC badges are regular and 'mid-size'; don't think I've seen miniatures of them.

[PHall]

I think the only two sizes offered for AFSC badges are regular and 'mid-size'; don't think I've seen miniatures of them.

The "wear out" date for the miniatures was 1 OCT 97.

[jb512]

That would make sense then.  So would you wear the mid-size crab claws with the mini wings?

[PHall]

That would make sense then.  So would you wear the mid-size crab claws with the mini wings?

That's what I wear, and it doesn't look that bad either. (Chief Enlisted Aircrew wings and the Basic Aircraft and Munitions Maintenance badge)

[CAP277]

So if you wear miniature CAP aircrew wings, you need to wear a miniature GTM badge with it as well ?

This combo:
http://www.vanguardmil.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6_390_412_413&products_id=7265
http://www.vanguardmil.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6_390_391_393&products_id=7001

?

Thanks

[Hawk200]

So if you wear miniature CAP aircrew wings, you need to wear a miniature GTM badge with it as well ?
....

Correct. Per Table 6-2, Line 5: "Either miniature or regular size badges may be worn on service coats, shirts, blouses, or mess dress but all must match." (Emphasis added).

Some argue that minis look better, but it's a matter of personal preference.

[Eclipse]

Faster than me, see above.

Most members don't even know they sell mini badges.

[davidsinn]

I wear large badges and when I earn them I will wear large wings. Why you ask? So they are all standard in my box of insignia. I can swap them out easily.

[HGjunkie]

I wear large badges and when I earn them I will wear large wings. Why you ask? So they are all standard in my box of insignia. I can swap them out easily.

No no no, that makes too much sense. There's too much common sense In that post.

[DakRadz]

I wear large badges and when I earn them I will wear large wings. Why you ask? So they are all standard in my box of insignia. I can swap them out easily.

No no no, that makes too much sense. There's too much common sense In that post.

Agreed.

Captain Sinn, according to the only tradition popular in the upper echelons of CAP, you are officially hereby disqualified from serving on any governing body in the Civil Air Patrol. This proclaimed per Act IV of the Pineda Chapter of CAP History, subsection 124, paragraph 37, line 2. This act done in the name of the tradition of a lack of common sense.

[HGjunkie]

I wear large badges and when I earn them I will wear large wings. Why you ask? So they are all standard in my box of insignia. I can swap them out easily.

No no no, that makes too much sense. There's too much common sense In that post.

Agreed.

Captain Sinn, according to the only tradition popular in the upper echelons of CAP, you are officially hereby disqualified from serving on any governing body in the Civil Air Patrol. This proclaimed per Act IV of the Pineda Chapter of CAP History, subsection 124, paragraph 37, line 2. This act done in the name of the tradition of a lack of common sense.

   

[davidsinn]

I wear large badges and when I earn them I will wear large wings. Why you ask? So they are all standard in my box of insignia. I can swap them out easily.

No no no, that makes too much sense. There's too much common sense In that post.

Agreed.

Captain Sinn, according to the only tradition popular in the upper echelons of CAP, you are officially hereby disqualified from serving on any governing body in the Civil Air Patrol. This proclaimed per Act IV of the Pineda Chapter of CAP History, subsection 124, paragraph 37, line 2. This act done in the name of the tradition of a lack of common sense.

Dang. Oh well doesn't bother me. I want to actually do things not sit around and talk about it.

[DakRadz]

Ah, but sir, you're still young. Wait til you age a bit- besides, you gotta be old to have a say 

Plus, you'll get cranky with the way these "whippersnappers ain't got no respect for a uniformed SM," and then you'll punish the ranks by making crazy uniform changes... Oh wait. See the cycle? 

[davidsinn]

Ah, but sir, you're still young. Wait til you age a bit- besides, you gotta be old to have a say 

Plus, you'll get cranky with the way these "whippersnappers ain't got no respect for a uniformed SM," and then you'll punish the ranks by making crazy uniform changes... Oh wait. See the cycle? 

I don't have a problem with most cadets respecting me. I earn their respect because I don't act like the south end of a northbound horse. That and I treat them with respect.

[DakRadz]

I don't have a problem with most cadets respecting me. I earn their respect because I don't act like the south end of a northbound horse. That and I treat them with respect.

Oh, I don't doubt that one bit sir. Admittedly, I was playing the senility/crankiness-comes-with-age card   

So, I have all regular sized, nonexistent insignia
The only one I'm looking at, I don't think comes in miniature. That would be the Model Rocketry Badge

[MSgt Van]

Typically on a shirt I'll wear full sized wings and Air Force specialty badge; no ribbons.

[DakRadz]

Typically on a shirt I'll wear full sized wings and Air Force specialty badge; no ribbons.

Only CAP makes me double-take when an NCO talk about wearing wings ^_^

I've noticed that a lot of AF generally wear just badges unless the occasion calls for more- seems a good practice to me

[jb512]

Typically on a shirt I'll wear full sized wings and Air Force specialty badge; no ribbons.

Only CAP makes me double-take when an NCO talk about wearing wings ^_^

I've noticed that a lot of AF generally wear just badges unless the occasion calls for more- seems a good practice to me

Wings aren't just for the zeros...

[DakRadz]

Typically on a shirt I'll wear full sized wings and Air Force specialty badge; no ribbons.

Only CAP makes me double-take when an NCO talks about wearing wings ^_^

I've noticed that a lot of AF generally wear just badges unless the occasion calls for more- seems a good practice to me

Wings aren't just for the zeros...

I know, just a double-take. Generally wings are for.. Os in the RM- and I know that there are enlisted variants for the RM as well. I also know that MSgt Van could have Command Pilot wings as a CAP SM. Now, that would cause a few looks, hmm? Oh I would actually love to see that.... E-7 meets General, guess which one has wings? XDD [/end OT daydream]

So anyway. Back to your regularly scheduled thread.

[jb512]

Typically on a shirt I'll wear full sized wings and Air Force specialty badge; no ribbons.

Only CAP makes me double-take when an NCO talks about wearing wings ^_^

I've noticed that a lot of AF generally wear just badges unless the occasion calls for more- seems a good practice to me

Wings aren't just for the zeros...

I know, just a double-take. Generally wings are for.. Os in the RM- and I know that there are enlisted variants for the RM as well.

Yeah, I think there are some enlisted variants for the RM...   

I think they told us in school that 1.8% of Air Force enlisted had the aircrew wings.

[DakRadz]

So for the Navy, two types of actual aviation-related wings(Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist/Naval Aircrew), with one Marine Corps (Combat Aircrew), Air Force has only one I can confirm (Enlisted Aircrew) with two I'm not sure about (Sensor Operator Badge/Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator Badge), Army has Aircrew as well.

Then you could argue the parachutist badge (Basic version used by all services, and USN/USMC version as well as Army Freefall version) as well as the Army's Air Assault Badge, which is somewhat wing-ish.

[Eclipse]

I think they told us in school that 1.8% of Air Force enlisted had the aircrew wings.

i.e. Loadmasters

[jb512]

I think they told us in school that 1.8% of Air Force enlisted had the aircrew wings.

i.e. Loadmasters

Not just loads, there are also: in-flight refueling specialists, flight engineers, airborne communications and electronics specialists, airborne battle management systems specialists, airborne mission systems specialists, flight attendants, aerial gunners and airborne cryptologic linguists.

I think I heard that the 1A5 got sucked up into the 1A3 AFSC or the other way around though, but I'm not sure.

[Angus]

While it's legal to wear regular size on a shirt and mini on the blues, you're best off with going with the traditional:  blue shirt takes a miniature while the service dress jacket takes the regular (full) size.

Indeed.

I definitely agree.   It makes it much easier.  I only wear small on the shirts.   

[SarDragon]

So for the Navy, two types of actual aviation-related wings(Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist/Naval Aircrew), with one Marine Corps (Combat Aircrew), Air Force has only one I can confirm (Enlisted Aircrew) with two I'm not sure about (Sensor Operator Badge/Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator Badge), Army has Aircrew as well.

Then you could argue the parachutist badge (Basic version used by all services, and USN/USMC version as well as Army Freefall version) as well as the Army's Air Assault Badge, which is somewhat wing-ish.

I don't consider EAWS wings as real wings. There's absolutely no flying involved. They just mean that you've spent a lot of time reading a lot of stuff, and can regurgitate it at will. Hard to get, and worth advancement points, but not representative of any flying participation.

[DakRadz]

Very true, but aren't they required for Aviation-related fields? That's what I heard the latest standard was- and of course any enlisted person can attempt to earn them. IIRC and they are required for certain aviation fields (I'm guessing you would know, or have an inkling), then flying is somewhat involved. To a point. A dull point.

[SarDragon]

Almost all knowledge, very little in demonstrated skills, and no flying. Apparently now a required item for advancement to E-6 in aviation ratings. ESWS is the equivalent blackshoe qualification.

[DakRadz]

[Cranky] Well it looks like wings to me, and still aviation related, even if only in ze knowledge brain section. [/Cranky]
:angel:
I basically listed actual wing-incorporating badges which I could verify were aviation related, not necessarily flying related. If you look back, we were talking about wings. EAWS definitely has wings incorporated.

[BGNightfall]

Dak,
EAWS looks like wings, and it smells like wings, but you would have a hard time arguing that it is an "aeronautical specialty" (as detailed in CAPM 39-1, table 6-5).  It is more appropriately termed an occupational specialty badge.  As such, it is not authorized for wear on the CAP uniform.  Unless there's an ICL that I don't know about (possible) which allows wear of USN specialty pins.

Also, you failed to mention Naval Aviation Observer/Flight Meteorologist badge, and the various aviation-related medical badges (Flight Surgeon and Flight Nurse on the Navy side), which are more likely "aeronautical specialties". 

[SarDragon]

It is also not authorized for wear on the AF uniform, IAW AFI36-2903.

[DakRadz]

Dak,
EAWS looks like wings, and it smells like wings, but you would have a hard time arguing that it is an "aeronautical specialty" (as detailed in CAPM 39-1, table 6-5).  It is more appropriately termed an occupational specialty badge.  As such, it is not authorized for wear on the CAP uniform.  Unless there's an ICL that I don't know about (possible) which allows wear of USN specialty pins.

Also, you failed to mention Naval Aviation Observer/Flight Meteorologist badge, and the various aviation-related medical badges (Flight Surgeon and Flight Nurse on the Navy side), which are more likely "aeronautical specialties".

Conceded, but we were talking Enlisted wings. So while I concede that they aren't really wings, I wouldn't include anything requiring a Bachelor's Degree- i.e. Flight Surgeon/Nurse.
So exclude the EAWS and enlisted still have at least one chance per service (I always forget to look up the USCG- sorry MIKE/RiverAux) to earn "wings".

It is also not authorized for wear on the AF uniform, IAW AFI36-2903.

There you go, it's not a bit qualified. So moving on.

[Gunner C]

So for the Navy, two types of actual aviation-related wings(Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist/Naval Aircrew), with one Marine Corps (Combat Aircrew), Air Force has only one I can confirm (Enlisted Aircrew) with two I'm not sure about (Sensor Operator Badge/Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator Badge), Army has Aircrew as well.

Then you could argue the parachutist badge (Basic version used by all services, and USN/USMC version as well as Army Freefall version) as well as the Army's Air Assault Badge, which is somewhat wing-ish.

Small correction.  If you're talking about the wings below, they're not army wings, they're a SOCOM award (Military Freefall Parachutist). 

[Hawk200]

Small correction.  If you're talking about the wings below, they're not army wings, they're a SOCOM award (Military Freefall Parachutist). 

Military Freefall badges were also awarded for completion of the Military Airlift Command High Glide Ratio Parachute Course, an Air Force school. The course was run IAW with Army training requirements. AFI 11-402 has an entry on it.

[vmstan]

This proclaimed per Act IV of the Pineda Chapter of CAP History, subsection 124, paragraph 37, line 2.

He said the name of he who shall not be named! Stone him!

[vmstan]

Getting back on topic. I have neither wings nor GT badge, although one more training mission and I should have that corrected. However, minis on the shirt (sans ribbons) and full size on the jacket is the route I'm taking. Honestly, I think the full size wings on the shirts are just a bit too much.