OK, AFA2013. In a round-about way, you've stumbled on another aspect of life in the military: the proverbial "I Love Me" Wall.
What exactly is THAT? Well, thoughout your career, you will be collecting momentos from all of your assignments, A LOT of momentos. You'll start off with your diploma from the Academy, and possibly your Sabre (if you bought one). Next, if you go to UPT or UNT and get an aeronautical rating, you get this nice big certificate for that, suitable for framing (which most of us did). Then, for EVERY assignement you go to, you get a plaque with the unit logo with perhaps a engraving stating your time there plus a clever saying from your squad mates on it, or perhaps a litho of the of the squadron's plane or the building you worked in (if you're in a staff job) with the signatures of all your collegues on it, or most likely BOTH. Plus you have some photos of friends you've been with, events you accomplished (1000 hour in the plane is an example), coins, flags, and other such things. The probelm is: where do I KEEP all these things?
When you get to a command position, you get an office. LOTS of the commanders keep their momentos in their offices (you should see the offices of the big-wigs in the Pentagon! It's like their own personal museum to themselves!
). You just have to remember to take them all down by the time you do your official change-of-command to the next guy (or gal).
Some of us keep them at home, displayed in a home office or den. What we called the "I Love Me" wall. Some spouses are OK with it, some are not. I have my own office in my house filled with the stuff, collecting dust. Pima has her own office for her momentos.
Word of advise. You'll know when certain things from throughout your career are "special memories" for you. Spend the extra dough and get them set up nicely for display. At my retirement, I had a guy paint up my old flight helmet with an Eagle and an Aardvark, add my squadron patches, then put my name and wings on it. Looks great, and is sitting in my office next to my bar. I also had a guy make a display case for all my old coins, rank, medals, and ribbons. Also had a flag or two, one I carried on a combat sortie, another that flew over the Capitol building for my retirement. Spent the extra money on a nice frame and matting for these things. LOOKS GREAT! And when I'm feeling a little old and useless lately, I can always look at them and say, "I was somebody, once...."