| Individuals who collect military badges do so for a | | | | award is noted as a personal decoration in one's |
| variety of reasons. There are those who served in | | | | service records, as well. |
| the military who are interested in collecting them as a | | | | Several separate branches of the military issues the |
| remembrance, of sorts. | | | | Flight Surgeon's Badge to those who are flight |
| Other collectors do so in honor of family members | | | | surgeons and qualified medical officers. It was first |
| who have served, at one time or another. | | | | issued in World War II, by the Army. |
| A third group of military badge collectors have taken | | | | There are several qualifications which must be met in |
| up a hobby because of their strong sense of | | | | order to be eligible for the Flight Surgeon's Badge. |
| patriotism. They do not necessarily come from a | | | | Dependent on the branch of service, there are |
| family with a military background but want to honor | | | | different ratings associated with it. |
| all of the men and women who have served our | | | | The Army and Air Force issue the badge as Basic, |
| country, allowing us to enjoy the freedoms we have, | | | | Senior or Master. The Navy and Coast Guard only |
| today. | | | | award it in one degree. The Marine Corps does not |
| There are many types of military badges. The | | | | issue this decoration because they do not maintain |
| information that follows covers just a few of the | | | | their own medical division. |
| many badges awarded to those serving in the US | | | | The Naval Flight Officer Astronaut Badge is issued by |
| Armed Forces. | | | | both the Navy and Marine Corps. It is a breast insignia |
| There are six different categories of badges. These | | | | encompassing a pair of golden wings, crossed |
| include: US Department of Defense badges, Army | | | | anchors and a shield. |
| badges, Navy badges, Air Force badges, Marine | | | | Recipients are those who have qualified as naval |
| Corps badges and Coast Guard badges. | | | | flight officers, after an extensive amount of training. |
| The Presidential Service Badge is awarded to both | | | | This training includes: aviation, airborne navigation, |
| military and civilian members who are employed as | | | | electronic warfare and weapons deployment tactics. |
| full-time military staff to the President. These | | | | The Air Force Academy Professor Badge was |
| individuals are those who are actually working, at the | | | | created, in the 1980s, to recognize those Air Force |
| White House. | | | | officers who are full-time professors at the US Air |
| Each badge is created for each particular recipient | | | | Force Academy. This badge is a permanent |
| and is stamped with its own unique serial number. | | | | decoration given to any officer, holding an advanced |
| The badge can be presented to military and social | | | | degree. |
| aides, individuals assigned to the White House | | | | The best way to display a collection of badges is in a |
| Communications Agency and the White House | | | | wooden display case, of some type. There are many |
| transportation agency... just to name a few. | | | | beautiful cases available, in all sizes and finishes... |
| The presidential Service Badge can be worn on a | | | | typically heirloom walnut or cherry. These cases easily |
| military uniform, even after employment ends. The | | | | blend in with a wide variety of décor. |