Rank Insignia that might have been

[Chuck Anderson]

Hi Everybody!
Chuck Anderson here!!

I remember, (before I even joined the USAF), that there was a plan afoot to have USAF enlisted rank insignia display a person's speciality insignia (similar to the U.S.Navy's) in the circle where the star is now.
Of course it was to have been more attuned to USAF specialties, so you wouldn't be seeing any air force boatswain's mates and the like.
In the USN, crossed keys signified a Storekeeper, but the same crossed keys insignia in the air force rank insignia would signify a Supply Specialist, (or Material Facilities Specialist to the bureaucrats.)

There'll be lots more neat and unusual stuff to talk about in future postings to this section.

More later! See ya'!!

Chuck Anderson
USAFWO1_1975@military.com

[ChrisWI]

Thanks for the input Chuck, do you have a list of all the USAF specialty titles and the insignia for those titles?

[Robb Mavins]

Hi Chuck/ Chris

Interesting, I actually like the USN system of rates so would love to see this.
In the 80’s at NORA, there was a badge I saw which had the “missleman” insignia where the lozenge/diamond would be. Saw this for Staff, Technical & Master Sergeant grades (before M/Sgt had the bar/ stripe / arc or top - what are those called anyway?)

As I am sure you know the USN/ USCG has started to trim many rates. Gone or are going are the signalman, and the quartermaster, two of the oldest next to boatswains mate (oldest).

I suppose this makes it easier, as a navigator I was always amused when a non navy type would ask my quartermaster to get him a new cap or lanyard or socks from the stores. Nothing against the supply branch, but in naval parleance a quartermaster was a “quarter a master” i.e under the “master” and the “mates”), always a leading petty officer who eventually (500 years ago) became in charge of the “wheel” then signals for fleet action, (navigation), then finally pretty much just navigational

Of course in the army, the same term quartermaster came from the old prefect castorum, magister castorum, – “master of quarters”. – ie. “Head of stores” . I am assuming the USAF used quartermaster

[Robb Mavins]

Hi Chuck/ Chris

Interesting, I actually like the USN system of rates so would love to see this.
In the 80’s at NORA, there was a badge I saw which had the “missleman” insignia where the lozenge/diamond would be. Saw this for Staff, Technical & Master Sergeant grades (before M/Sgt had the bar/ stripe / arc or top - what are those called anyway?)

As I am sure you know the USN/ USCG has started to trim many rates. Gone or are going are the signalman, and the quartermaster, two of the oldest next to boatswains mate (oldest).

I suppose this makes it easier, as a navigator I was always amused when a non navy type would ask my quartermaster to get him a new cap or lanyard or socks from the stores. Nothing against the supply branch, but in naval parleance a quartermaster was a “quarter a master” i.e under the “master” and the “mates”), always a leading petty officer who eventually (500 years ago) became in charge of the “wheel” then signals for fleet action, (navigation), then finally pretty much just navigational

Of course in the army, the same term quartermaster came from the old prefect castorum, magister castorum, – “master of quarters”. – ie. “Head of stores” . I am assuming the USAF used quartermaster

[Necrothesp]

I suppose this makes it easier, as a navigator I was always amused when a non navy type would ask my quartermaster to get him a new cap or lanyard or socks from the stores. Nothing against the supply branch, but in naval parleance a quartermaster was a “quarter a master” i.e under the “master” and the “mates”), always a leading petty officer who eventually (500 years ago) became in charge of the “wheel” then signals for fleet action, (navigation), then finally pretty much just navigational

A similar confusion could arise from the differences between a Yeoman in the USN and the RN!