Difference in Two USAF Civilian Service Pins?

[Scott C.]

One of the 10-year pins below says, "Air Force Service" while the other says, "Air Force Federal Service."  What's the difference?

 

Many thanks!

[Edelweisse]

These Pins were awarded for faithful service to USAF Civil Service employees….10 yrs, 15 yrs, 20 yrs, etc.   The US Government changed to pins with an eagle and the number of years below.  I have some pins saying “US ARMY”, “US ARMY EUROPE” along with 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 year pins.  In July 2023, I retired from DOD after 51 yrs service in many CONUS and OCONUS.

[Scott C.]

Thanks, Edelweisse.  I know they're time-in-service pins, but I'd like to know the difference between the one that just says, "Air Force Service"  vs the one that says, "Air Force Federal Service."  I received the AF Federal Service pin as a GS-civil service employee, so what is/was the employment criteria for the enameled AF Service only pin?  Are the pins interchangeable?  Was the AF Service pin superceded by the AF Federal Service pin?

 

Just curious.

[Edelweisse]

I believe that they are interchangeable…but I am thinking the enamel pin is earlier and due to cost $$, they made the plain pin.  The individual service pins for DOD CIVIL SERVICE employees…are now an eagle with a number for years service

[Scott C.]

Would a "DoD Civil Service Employee" be the same as an Air Force Federal Service Employee?

 

I received the silver-tone 20-year pin (below-right) last month.

[Edelweisse]

They are all DOD Civil Service employees since the USAF, USN, USMC, US Army, etc. all fall under DOD.  When I worked for the US Army in Europe, I received my 10 yrs pin which had a title "US ARMY EUROPE" and later on I rec'd generic DOD "15" and "20 pins when I was a Department of the Army Civilian (DAC) since I am guessing they ran out of the "US ARMY" titled pins.

 

 I am guessing that the USAF or other services still have stocks of pins laying around so they are issuing "titled" faithful service pins.  Once they exhaust those on-hand stocks....the services will transition and issue DOD generic pins.

 

This is based upon my experience in DOD and logistics....

[Scott C.]

That sounds reasonable. Thank you,Edelweisse, much appreciated.