Tommorow marks my 21st Year in an Air Force Uniform

[MrScorpio]

A few folks have ask me about my USAF avatar. Here's something recently sent out by my first sergeant that explains what it represents.

The U.S. Air Force symbol honors the heritage of our past and represents the promise of our future. It retains the core elements of our Air Corps heritage -- the "Arnold" wings and star with circle -- and modernizes them to reflect our aerospace force of today and tomorrow.

The symbol has two main parts. In the upper half, the stylized wings represent the stripes of our strength -- the enlisted men and women of our force. They are drawn with great angularity to emphasize our swiftness and power, and they are divided into six sections which represent our core competencies -- aerospace superiority, global attack, rapid global mobility, precision engagement, information superiority, and agile combat support.

In the lower half are a sphere, a star and three diamonds. The sphere within the star represents the globe. It reminds us of our obligation to secure our nation's freedom with Global Vigilance, Reach and Power. The globe also reminds us of our challenge as an expeditionary force to respond rapidly to crises and to provide decisive aerospace power, worldwide.

The area surrounding the sphere takes the shape of a star. The star has many meanings. Its five points represent the components of our one force and family -- our active duty, civilians, Guard, Reserve and retirees. The star symbolizes space as the high ground of our nation's aerospace force. The rallying symbol in all our wars, the star also represents our officer corps, central to our combat leadership.

The star is framed with three diamonds, which represent our core values -- integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do. The elements come together to form one symbol that presents two powerful images -- at once it is an eagle, the emblem of our nation, and a medal, representing valor in service to our nation.


The "Arnold" referred to was Gen. Hap Arnold commander of the AAF during WWII

[ewagner]

1. Congrats on 21 years my friend

To some it's a calling like no other. My Brother just retired after 20.

[oldleftguy]

2. Thanks for your service!

:toast:

[underpants]

3. The same one? You could wash it ya know.

Congrats and thank you sir.

[justgamma]

4. Go Air Force !

Thank you for the post. My son-in-law enlisted last year at the ripe old age of 27. I'm proud of you guys.

[randr]

5. congrads and thanks

The men and women who are serving our country in the armed forces are making sacrifices for us all. Let us hope and pray we can find leaders that measure up to them!

[VOX]

6. Many thanks for your 21 years of service...

My dad served to captain in the AAC/AAF in WWII. I still have his OCS yearbook from 1943 and his Eisenhower jacket, also his leather "bars" that never got stitched onto his A-2 jacket.

Thanks so much for your dedicated service -- 21 years in uniform is quite an accomplishment!

Cheers -- :toast:

[HydroAddict]

7. Yes Sir. Congratulations.

Air Force branch kicks all ass. I was AF ROTC in college, and father did 20 years on missile, recon and stealth projects (Major).

I was shooting to be a pilot, already had a private license and I pass the aptitude tests in top 10%. Some days I regret the decision to go into the private sector, I would have loved flying F/A-18 Hornets.

[Bluzmann57]

8. Glad we have people like you

defending this great land. Congrats to you Sir.

[joeybee12]

9. Well, for Chrissakes, take it off and have it washed!

Congrats!!!!!!!!

[jsw_81]

10. Thank you for your service!

[UrbScotty]

11. Sa-LUTE!

I salute you, HawkerHurricane (USN, Ret.), and all our other active-duty personnel, reservists, and veterans here on DU and not on DU.

[NewHampster]

12. Congratulations and Thank You

:toast:

[northofdenali]

13. Thank you, MrScorpio!!!

Congrats on 21 fine years of service :toast:

[Maestro]

14. Congrats to you

:yourock:

BTW, my father served 21 years as a Navy pilot.

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

15. M:-)

(that's a saluting emoticon)

Congrats, and thank you!

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

16. So, retire already.... join me in the dark side of military life

come on over, it's fine here.

[MrScorpio]

17. One more year

I'm getting my 55%, gawddammit

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

18. don't blame ya.... I did 25 for the same reason... well, that and

my enlistment time was not in sync with my retirement...

[Mixxster]

19. Congrats and...

thank you for your service.

:toast:

[SarahB]

20. That's a lot of service!

Here's to you! :toast:

[leftbend]

21. Congratulations

I know it takes a lot of sacrifice and determination to be on active duty that long. It can also be very rewarding. Are you eligible for retirement now?

[LastKnight]

22. well i hope you washed it at least once...

after 21 years id think it might be getting a bit gamey...

lol

-LK

[HawkerHurricane]

23. A salute to my fellow serviceman...

Even if you are Air Farce.

General Henry 'Hap' Arnold... I could tell stories...

Dad did 4 in the Air Farce, 1959-1963. My uncle Dennis did 20 years in the Army. My cousin Kevin did 25 years (and counting!) in the Marine Corpse.

Because of thier noble examples, I joined the Navy.

And because of my noble example, my cousin joined the Coast Guard.