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The occupational badge Air Force Blues is there to represent various things related to an airman. It can represent career specialty, qualification, and the dedication of an airman towards his service. You must know how to properly place and wear your badge, whether it's for daily duty, a formal inspection, or a ceremony. These have different levels, basic, senior, and master/command, and are worn on the Air Force dress blues uniform. Air Force blues occupational badge reflects career specialties, highlights professional achievements, and serves as a visual symbol of expertise.

1. Air Force Blues occupational badge placement, and how are they made?

1. Air Force occupational badge placement on a blues shirt

These patches are placed according to the uniform regulations of Air Force blues shirts.

2. Placement Of Occupational Badge on the Blues

• Men's Blues Shirt: The Badge on these is centered ½ inch above the name tag.
  
• Women's Blues Shirt: The Badge on this is centered on the right side, even with the first exposed button.
• Service Dress Jacket: Badge is worn ½ inch above the ribbons or medals.

Standard Placement Of Air Force Blues Occupational Badge

• The occupational badges are worn above the left pocket on the dress coat or the blue shirt.
• They are centered on the pocket or centered between the pocket and the shoulder seam if there is no pocket.

How to put on an occupational badge in the Air Force if there are multiple Badges?

If wearing one badge:

• Center it ½ inch above the pocket

If wearing two badges:

• Aeronautical, Chaplain, and Missile badges go on top.
• The occupational badge goes ½ inch below the badge on top.
  

If wearing three badges:

• The third badge is placed ½ inch below the second badge.

Priority of Badges (Top to Bottom)

• Aeronautical (Pilot, Aircrew, etc.)
• Space, Cyberspace, Missile Operations
• Occupational Badges (career field specialties)
• Chaplain, Legal, Medical (placed as designated)

Are occupational badges mandatory in Air Force Blues?

Yes, these badges are mandatory to wear unless they are specially exempted. AFI 36-2903 states that Airmen should wear the primary occupational badge corresponding to their AFSC (Air Force Specialty Code).

2. Air Force Blues occupational badge vs Regular badges

Air Force Blues occupational patches:

• Uniform type: the uniform this badge is placed on is service dress(blues)
• Material: The material of this badge is metal, and it is polished, along with being highly detailed.
• Appearance: It is designed to have a formal look and is shiny and detailed.
• Placement: It is placed above the left breast pocket according to badge priority.
  
• Purpose: Its purpose is to identify the carrier field.
  

Regular occupational badge:

• Uniform type: the uniform this badge is placed on is a combat or OCP uniform.
• Material: The material of this badge is embroidered.
• Appearance: It has low visibility and is for tactical wear.
• Purpose: Its purpose is Field/tactical recognition of specialty.

Can the Air Force personnel wear EFMB?

EFMB stands for expert field medical badge, and yes, airmen can wear this badge if they were the ones awarded with it, as it is authorized.

3. Air Force Blues occupational badge VS custom Air Force Blues occupational badge

a) Custom occupational badge Air Force blues

These are not authorized to be worn on official uniforms because they involve personal creativity while they are being made.

Its key features are:

• Design: it is personalized according to taste, is creative, and morale-based.
• Material: this can differ; it can be metal, enamel, or laser-engraved.
• Placement: these are not allowed on the Blues uniform.
• Purpose: The purpose of these is to be used as collectibles, gift items, or morale boosters.
  

b) Air Force Blues Occupational Badge:

These badges are specially created to be worn on Air Force Blues uniforms; they are authorized.

Its key features are:

• Design: these are specially standardized Air Force career field insignia.
• Material: the material used for these is polished metal or silver/gold.
• Placement: above left breast pocket.
• Purpose: formal recognition of AFSC.

Creation and Purchase

a) How to make the Air Force Blues occupational badge?

If you want to use the badge for an official purpose, you need to get it from an approved supplier for official badges. This means that you cannot wear unapproved badges and require authentication for the badge you are wearing.

If you want custom versions:

Choose engraved metal or embroidered patch material and customize with rank, name, or unit details. Then add an optional Velcro backing, which has a hoop attached to the badge base and a loop where you want to attach the badge, or you can use a pin backing. Make sure not to wear the official uniform because they are unauthorized.

b) Where to buy the Air Force Blues occupational badge?

You can buy Air Force Blues occupational badges from suppliers like Rush Patch. If you want collectables, you can get them online from Amazon.

CONCLUSION

The Air Force Blues occupational badge is used to show career specification and is a symbol of pride amongst the wearers. It is essential to know that not all badges are authorized to be worn on Air Force blues uniforms; the only authorized ones are the official ones. Make sure to place these badges according to their level of priority to respect the Air Force tradition.

FAQ'S

Q1: Do military uniforms have name tags and badges together?

A) Yes, name tags are worn on the right, while badges are placed above or opposite them, depending on gender and type of badge.

Q2: Can you wear two occupational badges on Air Force Blues?

A) Yes, but only if authorized.

Q3: Can retired Airmen wear their occupational badge?

A) Yes, retired members can wear occupational badges while attending formal events and ceremonies.

Q4: How do I maintain my badge's shine?

A) Polish regularly and store in a dry case.