I know this thread is 6 years old but I am confused on the props and wings. It was mentioned on the parents facebook page for the 2022 class. My DD grandfather was a colonel in the air force and a fighter pilot, he flew F100s. He was also a Thunderbird and won military awards (Earl T Ricks) etc. Will my DD get props and wings for a grandfather who served 20+ years in the Air Force? He did not go to the academy, but he was in the Korean war.
I know this thread is 6 years old but I am confused on the props and wings. It was mentioned on the parents facebook page for the 2022 class. My DD grandfather was a colonel in the air force and a fighter pilot, he flew F100s. He was also a Thunderbird and won military awards (Earl T Ricks) etc. Will my DD get props and wings for a grandfather who served 20+ years in the Air Force? He did not go to the academy, but he was in the Korean war.
sherrie,
All cadets will get (be allowed to wear) prop and wings once they are formally recognized their first year. The difference is whether the prop and wings are silver (the majority) or "Gold" (actually silver & gold now), which are reserved for Cadets who are direct descendants of members of the Army Air Corps, Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASPs), or a parent who is a USAFA Academy graduate who honorably served.
Here is the reference (see bottom of second page).
http://www.usafa.edu/app/uploads/Cadet_Rank.pdf
Interesting! My grandfather was in the Army Air Corps, then switched to Air Force when it was new. Would my DS be eligible for gold? He is a direct descendant, of course (great grandson), but how many generations can one "go back"?
So the gold version is basically a "legacy" indicator. Not to sound unkind, but the criteria isn't merit-based. Perhaps more of an affiliation, like the Air Force version of the Sons/Daughters of the American Revolution.
Adding on with questions if your grandfather served in the army air corps but not flying how would that work? I'm going to be 4th generation air force so just wondering. Oh and welcome new member XDSo the gold version is basically a "legacy" indicator. Not to sound unkind, but the criteria isn't merit-based. Perhaps more of an affiliation, like the Air Force version of the Sons/Daughters of the American Revolution.
Commissioning source makes no difference.I believe that as long as he was a member of the USAAF you should be eligible.
Are cadets with a parent who served 20+ years with a ROTC commission eligible, or is that only USAFA grads? I’ll be 3rd gen. Air Force so I am wondering as well
Thank you, Ma'am!Commissioning source makes no difference.
Welcome to the forums! Interesting first post for a new member.
Stealth_81