§ 578.90 - Aviation Badges.

(a) Badges authorized. There are three degrees of Aviation Badge (formerly the Aircraft Crew Member Badge) authorized for award, Basic, Senior and Master.

(b) Badge approval authority. Commanders exercising jurisdiction over the individuals' personnel records will make permanent award of these badges. Permanent award of these badges based upon wounds or combat missions will be referred to Commander, USA HRC (see § 578.3(c) for address). Request for award of the Senior and Master Aviation Badges that cannot be resolved at the MPD/PSC will be forwarded to the Commander, U.S. Army Aviation Center, ATTN: ATZQ-AP, Fort Rucker, AL 36362-5000.

(c) Special policy. (1) The retroactive date for these badges is January 1, 1947.

(2) The Master Aviation Badge and the Senior Aviation Badge are authorized for permanent wear. The Basic Aviation Badge may be authorized for temporary or permanent wear. An officer awarded an Aviation Badge while serving in an enlisted status is authorized to wear the badge as a permanent part of the uniform.

(d) Eligibility requirements for each badge are provided in §§ 578.91, 578.92, and 578.93.

(e) Description. An oxidized silver badge 3/4 inch in height and 22/12 inches in width, consisting of a shield with its field scored with horizontal lines and bearing the coat of arms of the United States on and over a pair of displayed wings. A star is added above the shield to indicate the degree of Senior Aviation Badge and the star is surrounded with a laurel wreath to indicate the degree of Master Aviation Badge.