The Air Education and Training Instructor Badge is a military badge

Military badges of the United States

Military badges of the United States are awards authorized by the United States armed forces that signify rating, qualification, or accomplishment in several career fields, and also serve as identification devices for personnel occupying certain assignments. Personal recognition is granted to...

 of the United States Air Force

United States Air Force

The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...

 which denotes a service member’s status as an instructor assigned to the Air Education and Training Command

Air Education and Training Command

Air Education and Training Command was established July 1, 1993, with the realignment of Air Training Command and Air University. It is one of the U.S. Air Force's ten major commands and reports to Headquarters, United States Air Force....

. The Air Education and Training Instructor Badge is the Air Force equivalent to the United States Army

United States Army

The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...

’s Drill Sergeant Identification Badge

Drill Sergeant Identification Badge

The Drill Sergeant Identification Badge is a military badge of the United States Army which was first issued on January 15, 1958. It is also nicknamed the "pumpkin" patch due to its appearance when worn in the non-subdued pin-on version and in the color sew-on version worn before insignia was...

.

The Air Education and Training Instructor Badge may be awarded as a temporary decoration to any Air Force service member who has completed a course of instruction as a Drill Instructor or Education Trainer. The badge is then presented upon the service member’s assignment to an Air Force Training Command, such as basic training

Basic Training

Basic Training may refer to:* Basic Training, a 1971 American documentary directed by Frederick Wiseman* Basic Training , an American sex comedy* Recruit training...

 or Officer Training School

Air Force Officer Training School

Officer Training School is a United States Air Force commissioning program held at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. It is the Officer Candidate School for the U.S. Air Force, analogous to the OCSes operated by the other branches of the U.S. Military. It is a part of Jeanne M...

. The badge is also occasionally granted to non-commissioned officer

Non-commissioned officer

A non-commissioned officer , called a sub-officer in some countries, is a military officer who has not been given a commission...

s attached to Air Force ROTC units who serve as Cadet Drill Instructors.

The badge serves as a duty identifier. Personnel who are no longer assigned to a wing or organization directly involved in training or education development or delivery will discontinue wearing the badge (AETC Instruction 36-2901).

Master Instructor Badge. Instructors who have completed the requirements for their applicable master instructor program may wear the master instructor badge.

Trivia

• This badge tends to be referred to by Air Force personnel as a "cookie," due to its size. It is also called the "flying Ice Cream Cone", or "Push-to-talk button"