Air Force Achievement Medal — Military Decorations

Air Force Achievement Medal Medal and Ribbon Design Images

The Air Force Achievement Medal comes with a unique service ribbon, which is worn on the recipient's uniform in situations where the full medal is not worn. If you have earned this decoration, you can wear the service ribbon on your ribbon rack.
Design of the Air Force Achievement Medal

Centered on the obverse of the Air Force Achievement Medal is a medallion portraying thunderbolts and wings, signifying striking power through aerospace, adapted from the Air Force Seal. The distinctive outer border of this medal is composed of 11 cloud-like shapes. It’s unique shape isn’t paralleled by any other medal. On the reverse of the medal in raised letters is the circular inscription, “AIR FORCE MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT.”

What is the Air Force Achievement Medal Decoration?

The ribbon has three sets of four vertical stripes of ultramarine blue on a silver gray background.

The United States military sorts decorations into categories called Classes and Types. The Air Force Achievement Medal medal is classified as a Personal Decoration of the type Achievement Medal.

How Do You Earn the Air Force Achievement Medal?

The Air Force Achievement Medal was authorized in late 1980 by the Secretary of the Air Force. It was designed by Capt. Robert C. Bonn, Jr., USAF, and is awarded to Air Force personnel for outstanding achievement or meritorious service rendered specifically on behalf of the Air Force. It may also be awarded for acts of courage lesser than for award of the Air Force Commendation Medal.

Displaying the Air Force Achievement Medal

The Order of Precedence of the Air Force Achievement Medal is 34, and this precedence is used when placing the associated service ribbon on your uniform ribbon rack. You can see a full list of decorations in the order of precedence on the Decorations homepage.

Subsequent awards are denoted by the wearing of an oak leak cluster appurtenance. The medal is worn after the Joint Service Achievement and before the Air Force Combat action ribbon or achievement medals of the US Coast Guard.

Air Force Achievement Medal Associated Branches

Air Force

Air Force Achievement Medal Associated Branches

Air Force

Air Force Achievement Medal and the Stolen Valor Act

The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 is a federal law that makes it illegal for any person to falsely claim to be the recipient of certain military awards, "with the intention of obtaining money, property, or other tangible benefit by convincing another that he or she received the award".This decoration is covered by the Stolen Valor act. Fraudulently claiming to have received a Air Force Achievement Medal can result in punishment including a fine, imprisonment for not more than one year, or both


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