Wearing a uniform after retirement is a privilege granted in recognition of faithful service to country. According to Department of the Air Force Instruction 36-2903, retirees may wear the uniform as prescribed at date of retirement, or any of the uniforms authorized for active-duty personnel, including the dress uniforms. Retirees must not mix uniform items. Whenever the uniform is worn, it must be done in such a manner as to reflect credit upon the individual and the service from which retired.
Retired Airmen receive the retired lapel button at retirement. Retirees wear the retired lapel button on the left lapel. Retired Airmen whose assignments have included command at squadron, group or wing level are also authorized to wear the command insignia pin on the left lapel, below the retired lapel button. Retirees may wear the retired lapel pin on civilian and/or military attire. The retired lapel pin is placed on the left lapel. If member is authorized to wear the command insignia pin, it is placed on the left lapel of civilian attire, below the retired lapel pin.
The commander insignia is a generic pin that can be worn by retired commanders. Commanders whose assignments have included command at squadron, group or wing level are authorized to wear the commanders' insignia. The pin (also known as the USAF Commander’s Badge) has been in existence since 2002. Per 10.3.24, the Command Insignia pin (metallic/cloth, as appropriate) is mandatory on all blue service uniforms and ABUs. It is worn by all eligible commissioned officers in the rank of Colonel (O-6) and below. Wear the commanders’ insignia pin on the right side of the uniform jacket in the same relative position as the badges worn on the left on the formal dress and mess dress uniform. The pin is worn below the nametag and name tape upon completion of command duties. It can be purchased at any AAFES Military Clothing Sales store.
If member’s last assignment prior to retirement was a First Sergeant and/or Command Chief, the member is authorized to wear appropriate chevrons in all instances the uniform is worn. Retired chiefs, whose last assignment was not as a Command Chief but who honorably completed a Command Chief tour may request an exception to policy IAW AFI 36-2109, to wear the Command Chief chevron in all instances where the wear of the uniform is appropriate.
Retired Airmen should conform to the same standards of appearance, military customs, practices, and conduct in uniform prescribed for active-duty Airmen.
When to Wear the Uniform
Department of the Air Force Instruction 36-2903 states retirees may wear the uniform:
-- at occasions of military ceremonies;
-- memorial services, and inaugurals;
-- patriotic parades on national holidays, other military parades or ceremonies in which any active or Reserve U.S. military unit is taking part ;
-- at educational institutions when engaged in giving military instructions or responsible for military discipline; and
-- at social or other functions when the invitation has been influenced by the member's active military service.
On these occasions the uniform may be worn while traveling to and from the ceremony, provided that such travel may be completed within 24 hours of the scheduled function.
When Wear is Prohibited
Wear of the uniform is prohibited for all retirees:
-- At a meeting of, or sponsored by, an organization, association, movement, or group that:
-- The Attorney General of the United States has named as totalitarian, fascist, communist or subversive.
-- Advocates or approves acts of force or violence to deny others their rights under the Constitution of the United States.
-- Seeks to change the United States Government by unconstitutional means.
-- Except when authorized by the AF/A1, when participating in activities such as unofficial public speeches, interviews, picket lines, marches, rallies or any public demonstration which may imply Air Force sanction of the cause for which the demonstration or activity is conducted.
-- At any public meeting, demonstration, march, rally or interview if the purpose may be to advocate, express or approve opposition to the Armed Forces of the United States.
-- When it would discredit the Armed Forces.
-- While furthering political activities, private employment or commercial interest.
-- While working in an off-duty, civilian capacity.
-- 1.4.8. While participating in civilian court proceedings when the conviction would bring discredit to the Air Force.
-- While in civilian attire. Unless prescribed in DAFI 36-2903, do not mix or wear a combination of civilian and military clothing or unique uniform items, e.g. rank insignia, cap devices, badges, and other United States or Air Force insignia, devices, buttons, etc.
Exception: Tie tacks and lapel pins are authorized when wearing business attire.
-- When wearing combinations of uniform items not specifically prescribed in the Air Force instruction.
-- When uniform items do not meet Air Force specifications.
If there is any doubt about wearing the uniform to a function, the commander of the nearest installation should be contacted. Retirees in a foreign country should contact the American Embassy, the American Consulate, or a U. S. military authority.
Awards and Decorations
Honorably discharged and retired Air Force members may wear full-size or miniature medals on civilian suits on appropriate occasions such as Memorial Day and Armed Forces Day. Female members may wear full-size or miniature medals on equivalent dress.
Outer Garments
All outer garments (except Leather A-2 Flying Jacket) without name, insignia, AF symbol, accoutrements, etc., may be worn with civilian attire.
Per DAFI 36-2903, February 2020 with updates:
Retired Personnel
-- Retirees may wear the authorized uniform prescribed at the date of member’s retirement or any of the uniforms authorized for current active duty personnel, including the dress uniforms. Do not mix uniforms.
-- Retirees who had an assignment prior to retirement that included command at squadron, group or wing level are authorized to wear the Command insignia pin on the left lapel.
-- If member’s last assignment prior to retirement was a First Sergeant and/or Command Chief, the member is authorized to wear appropriate chevrons in all instances the uniform is worn. Retired CMSgts, whose last assignment was not as a Command Chief but who honorably completed a Command Chief tour may request an exception to policy IAW DAFI 36-2109, to wear the Command Chief chevron in all instances where the wear of the uniform is appropriate.
-- Retirees may wear the retired lapel pin on civilian and/or military attire. The retired lapel pin is placed on the left lapel. If member is authorized to wear the Command insignia pin, it is placed on the left lapel of civilian attire, below the retired lapel pin.
-- May wear full-size or miniature medals on civilian suits or equivalent dresses on appropriate occasions such as Memorial Day and Armed Forces Day.
-- May wear the uniform at occasions of military ceremonies.
-- May wear the uniform at military funerals, weddings, memorial services and inaugurals.
-- May wear the uniform at patriotic parades on national holidays, other military parades or ceremonies in which any active or Reserve U.S. Military unit is taking part.
-- May wear the uniform at educational institutions when engaged in giving military instructions or responsible for military discipline.
-- May wear the uniform at social or other functions when the invitation has been influenced by the member’s active military service.
-- May wear the uniform when traveling to or from any function listed above when travel is within 24 hours of the scheduled function.