U.S. Air Force Rank Insignia Identification Guide

This is an identification guide for the Enlisted rank insignia and shoulder patches used by the U.S. Air Force from 1947 to date. To the best of our knowledge, all the examples shown are original manufacture. If anyone has questions or suggestions, please contact [email protected].

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1947-1948

Enlisted Patches. The system of enlisted ranks was inherited from the Army. Special rank insignia for the Air Force was approved in 1948, but the Army insignia continued to be worn until 1952 due to procurement issues. The rank of Private did not have an insignia.


Private 1st Class	Technician 5th (T/5)	Corporal	Technician 4th (T/4)	Sergeant
Technician 3rd (T/3)	Staff Sergeant	Technical Sergeant	Master Sergeant	First Sergeant

1948-1992

Enlisted Patches. First Sergeant was a position assignment for the rank of Master Sergeant or higher. The position was identified by adding a diamond to the individual's current rank. Metal rank insignia was approved for wear in 1975.


Rank Chevron Sizes Top - Standard Chevron renamed Large Chevron - 1961 WAF Chevron renamed Small Chevron, to be worn on the Tan Uniform shirt - 1961	Prototype Enlisted Chevrons Proposed - 1952, Approved - 1955 Disapproved - 1956 before production.	Dress Uniform Chevrons Top - Dress White Uniform approved for enlisted ranks - 1959-1969 Bottom - Dress Black Uniform approved for enlisted ranks - 1961 Approved for Dress White Uniform - 1969


Private 1st Class 1948-1952 Airman 3rd Class 1952-1967 Airman 1967-1975	Airman 1975-1992	Corporal 1948-1952 Airman 2nd Class 1952-1967 Airman 1st Class 1967-1975	Airman 1st Class 1975-1992	Sergeant 1948-1952 Airman 1st Class 1952-1967 Sergeant 1967-1975
Sergeant 1975-1992	Staff Sergeant 1948-1992	Technical Sergeant 1948-1992	Master Sergeant 1948-1992	First Sergeant 1945-1992
Senior Master Sergeant 1958-1992	Chief Master Sergeant 1958-1992	Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force 1967-1992

1992 to Date

Enlisted Ranks were re-organized. Rank patches were produced in colors for wear with specific uniforms.


Top - Standard Color Chevron Middle - Subdued Color Chevron Bottom - Desert Color Chevron


Airman - E2	Airman 1st Class - E3	Senior Airman - E4	Staff Sergeant - E5	Technical Sergeant - E6
Master Sergeant - E7	First Sergeant - E7	Senior Master Sergeant - E8	Senior First Sergeant - E8	Chief Master Sergeant - E9
Chief First Sergeant - E9	Command Master Sergeant - E9 1998-current	Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force 1992-2004	Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force 2004-current