Parachutist Badge (United States) - Air Force

Air Force

Like the Army, the Air Force issues the same parachutist badges in the same three degrees (Basic, Senior, & Master) but have different criteria for the awarding of these badges. The level of degree is determined by the number of jumps the wearer has successfully completed, years of service in the Air Force, and other requirements as specified by AFI 11-402, Aviation and Parachutist Service, Aeronautical Ratings and Badges.

Air Force Senior Parachutist Badge Air Force Master Parachutist Badge

In 1956 the Air Force began issuing a unique Basic, Senior, and Master Parachutist Badges. These parachutist badges were modeled after the Air Force's Medical Badges. Due to popular demand, the Air Force decided to revert back to issuing the Army style parachutist badges in 1963.

Common recipients of Air Force Parachutist Badges include:

• Air Force Combat Control/ Special Tactics Officer
• Air Force Pararescue/ Combat Rescue Officer
• Air Force Special Operations Weather Technician
• Air Force Tactical Air Control Party
• Air Force SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance & Escape) Specialist
• Air Force Security Forces Contingency Response Group personnel
• Air Force Academy Cadets, selected Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadets
• Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers
• Air Force Aircrew Flight Equipment (Parachute Rigger)
• Air Force Physiological Technicians

Note: Airborne RED HORSE consists of a limited number of personnel within selected squadrons and not the entire career field. Additionally, most aircrew equipment and physiology technicians do not attend Airborne training or serve on jump status.