Arnold Air Society

[1stDivVet]

I've looked and looked.. Found a history of the organization, a picture of the logo, how membership and structure of it work, but nothing as to this.. It's the logo with what looks like a WW1 type 1st Lt bar between the wings. It's obviously a rank pin, but for what position?? Anyone know??

 

Fins...

[KevinBeyer]

I don't have an answer for you, but I am checking all of my sources.

 

Kevin

[BEAST]

Interesting pin! I found the following at: http://arnold-air.org/files/aas/nat_staff/...ledge_guide.doc

 

1-6 The Arnold Air Society Symbol and Insignia

 

a. The AAS badge is an Air Force star of white with a cardinal ball in the center resting on opposed gold wings. Under this are two blue bars with “Arnold Air Society” superimposed on the bars.

 

b. The AAS rank pin is an AAS badge with the appropriate officers grade insignia placed between the wings above the star.

c. The AAS candidate pin is circular and bears the white star and cardinal ball of the Society.

 

d. The AAS fourragere is a single loop, square weave, blue and gold, multi-strand cord.

 

e. The AAS membership ribbon is a gold, white, blue, and red ribbon.

 

 

 

 

3-4 Rank

 

Arnold Air Society rank is determined by the position the individual holds. AAS members retain the highest rank they have attained, regardless of the current position they hold. The following is the rank of each level of AAS. This is not to be confused with cadet rank or any other rank.

 

POSITION NATIONAL AREA SQUADRON

CC Brig. General Colonel Major

CV/CD Colonel Lt. Colonel Captain

DO Lt. Colonel Major 1st Lieutenant

IM Lt. Colonel Major 1st Lieutenant

FM Lt. Colonel Major 1st Lieutenant

PA Lt. Colonel Major 1st Lieutenant

DT/CTO Lt. Colonel Major 1st Lieutenant

DS Lt. Colonel Major 1st Lieutenant

 

Note: An active member who has never held a staff position is an AAS C/2d Lt.

 

 

3-1 Positions and Responsibilities

 

There are leadership positions at every level of Arnold Air Society.

 

a. The Commander (CC) is responsible for making sure the command level effectively and efficiently pursues the mission of the society. In short, the commander is responsible for everything that happens at the given command level.

 

b. The Deputy Commander (CD) is the second in command and assumes command in the absence of the commander. The CD is also responsible for the lower staff positions’ activities.

 

c. The Operations Officer (DO) is responsible for ensuring the completion of all projects in that command level and serves as a link between project officers and the rest of the staff.

 

d. The Information Management Officer (IM) is responsible for all information, forms, and correspondence in that command level. The IM is also responsible for taking minutes at all meetings, and keeping track of attendance.

 

e. The Financial Management Officer (FM) is responsible for the budgeting process, collecting dues, keeping financial records, and handling transactions.

 

f. The Public Affairs Officer (PA) is responsible for keeping members and other cadets informed about events. The PA is also responsible for any publicity for the command level.

 

g. The Candidate Training Officer (CTO) is responsible for preparing candidates to become active members of the society.

 

h. The Support Officer (DS) is responsible for helping other staff members in the functioning of the day-to-day activities of the society.

[S.ChrisKelly]

Below are examples of the rank pins, from the Arnold Air Society website.  The last image is the insignia of a candidate member.

 

[SARGE]

This is a brand new one on me.  Great information!

 

 

[S.ChrisKelly]

A word of explanation, which may elucidate the reason for the ranks.

 

The "knurled" look of the lieutenant's and captain's bars is just a style.  It's a nod to the First World War, when the Army Air Service was part of the Signal Corps.

 

The ranks are cadet ranks within the Arnold Air Society only, and represent positions and functions within AAS.  For example, each college/university AAS Squadron has a "commander" who is normally an AAS cadet major.  These "ranks" have no bearing on an AFROTC cadet's actual cadet rank within the AFROTC Detachment at his/her college/university.

 

(Below, from the Arnold Air Society website):

************************************

Each prospective member for Arnold Air Society must be a member of a local AFROTC detachment and at least meet those academic and physical standards. If these criteria are met, then the individual can enter the Candidate Training Program.

During the six to eleven-week AAS training program (at individual squadrons' discretion), the candidate must attend at least 90% of all candidate activities. Also, the candidate class must complete at least one service project that benefits their detachment, university campus, or their community. In addition, candidates must gain the signatures of all of the active members of their squadron, unless otherwise stated by the squadron commander. The candidate class is highly encouraged to attend at least one of the squadron's active members' meeting.

In addition to the physical and military standards that all candidates are expected to reach, there are also academic standards. The candidate must take a National Test at the conclusion of their candidate training program. The candidate must pass the test with a score of at least 80%.

************************************

This is a further explanation of the AAS's organization, ranks and history:

 

Candidate Training Manual 2020-21 - Arnold Air Society

 

https://aas-sw.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Candidate_Training_Manual_2020.pdf

 

 

 

 

 

[S.ChrisKelly]

Just as an aside, the AAS rank pins are only for college/university AFROTC and USAFA.

[KevinBeyer]

This is outstanding information.  Thank you for showing such a great collection of insignia.  And, for added insight to what they are!

 

Kevin