Badge: Combat Aircrew – regulation size oxidized finish

The Combat Aircrew Badge is a US Marine Corps decoration awarded to those enlisted service men who served as aircrew members on board combat flights. For those who participated in actual combat flights, a gold 1/8″ star is added. Upon earning more than three gold stars, silver 1/8″ stars are awarded in lieu of three gold stars. Three silver stars equates to nine combat missions. The Combat Aircrew Badge can be issued to sailors while serving in a Marine Corps Aviation squadron. Current regulations require a set number of combat ‘points’ to be earned before wear is authorized. It is not authorized to wear both the Combat Aircrew and Naval Aircrew pins at the same time. If an individual service member has been awarded both badges, they may decide which pin to wear on their uniform. A sailor who has qualified for the Combat Aircrew Badge and at least one gold star places the initials “CAC” in parentheses after their rate and rating; for example, a Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (HM2), after having qualified for their CAC Badge, is identified as a HM2(CAC).