Early USAF Group Photo in front of base theater

[DutchInfid3l]

Here's a nice group shot, all NCOs and one Officer, nice mix of Ike and Service dress, some have the hash marks, overseas bars and one I see has a SSI. (can't make it out though) Though the SSgt. in the front he's got what looks like one leadership loop (sure it isn't) any idea's?
Nothing written on the back of the photograph so I have no idea where this is shot.

[DutchInfid3l]

here's more of a closeup with the lone shoulder loop, now realizing it's a TSgt. and the MSgt. on his left with the SSI. Looks like a 6.
5th AF, perhaps?

[QED4]

I have an early tan AF uniform that came with one light blue loop on the shoulder strap like the guy in the front row, I always assumed the other one was missing. Now it appears that is the way it was worn, dose anyone know what it means?

[QED4]

Just noticed the movie poster in the background, Pearl of the South Pacific staring Virginia Mayo was released in 1955.

[DutchInfid3l]

I have an early tan AF uniform that came with one light blue loop on the shoulder strap like the guy in the front row, I always assumed the other one was missing. Now it appears that is the way it was worn, dose anyone know what it means?

 

 

Good to know it's not that this guy wanted to be different Since you've got one as well...

[DutchInfid3l]

Anyone else ever seen this? Or have one to show? I'd really like to know what this is...

[Bluehawk]

I have an early tan AF uniform that came with one light blue loop on the shoulder strap like the guy in the front row, I always assumed the other one was missing. Now it appears that is the way it was worn, dose anyone know what it means?

Given the very early evolution of that photo, I am going to guess that the strap was the equivalent of a rope.

[DutchInfid3l]

Given the very early evolution of that photo, I am going to guess that the strap was the equivalent of a rope.

 

That's a good guestimation! I'll go with that!

[Wailuna]

...I have an early tan AF uniform that came with one light blue loop on the shoulder strap like the guy in the front row... anyone know what it means?

The "Blue Loop" designated NCO academy graduates, or maybe it was honor graduates (this entry is tribal knowledge based on the fast fading memory of an ex-Air Force brat). In any case, they were known as "Blue Loopers" (somewhat derisively, perhaps?) Base and command NCO academies proliferated in the mid-1950s. Don't know how long the "Blue Loop" was around but the USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon made its debut 1962 and probably killed it off.

 

WAG: The group photo was a unit NCO academy graduating class after the ceremony at the base theater and the "Blue Looper" in front was the honor man.

 

Here's another "Blue Looper" on the hoof (photo dated February 23, 1957).

[Sabrejet]

Given the hash-marks and O/S stripes worn by the NCO, 2nd row, right, it's surprising that he's not displaying any ribbons at all! In fact, apart from a guy in the third row who has both wings/ribbons and a couple of others with PUCs near the back, the insignia displayed within this group is very sparce to say the least! Given its early-ish 50s date I'd expect to see more evidence of both WW2 and Korean War service.

 

Sabrejet

[Wailuna]

...the insignia displayed within this group is very sparce to say the least! Given its early-ish 50s date I'd expect to see more evidence of both WW2 and Korean War service...

This was the Air Force's "clean" look, which was well underway by mid-1950s as we see in this picture. It was shedding its Army legacy look. Wartime shoulder patches and "Hershey bars" and enlisted "Hash marks" had been explicitly optional by USAF directives dating back to the late 1940s and they were entirely eliminated by 1959. As for ribbons, the directives were more ambiguous, using the terms "...when worn..." and "...when prescribed..." to imply that wearing ribbons was a matter of individual choice when they were not prescribed by commanders for wear in formations and functions (which paralleled Army practice). These NCOs evidently had been drinking their Kool-Aid (the officer was about as "clean" as he could get as well).

[BEAST]

This was the Air Force's "clean" look, which was well underway by mid-1950s as we see in this picture. It was shedding its Army legacy look. Wartime shoulder patches and "Hershey bars" and enlisted "Hash marks" had been explicitly optional by USAF directives dating back to the late 1940s and they were entirely eliminated by 1959. As for ribbons, the directives were more ambiguous, using the terms "...when worn..." and "...when prescribed..." to imply that wearing ribbons was a matter of individual choice when they were not prescribed by commanders for wear in formations and functions (which paralleled Army practice). These NCOs evidently had been drinking their Kool-Aid (the officer was about as "clean" as he could get as well).

 

 

Sure makes restoring their uniforms easier! No guessing about ribbon arrangement or even what ribbons they wore!

[Wailuna]

...Sure makes restoring their uniforms easier! No guessing about ribbon arrangement or even what ribbons they wore!

Right you are: And it does make the occasional appearance of an old holdout's uniform all the better.

 

[Bluehawk]

Right you are: And it does make the occasional appearance of an old holdout's uniform all the better.

 

Outstanding...

[Sabrejet]

CIB on an AF uniform...and a generic Hawaiian Dept patch? Is that indicitive of a change of service...Army > Air Force?

 

Sabrejet

[Wailuna]

...CIB on an AF uniform...and a generic Hawaiian Dept patch? Is that indicitive of a change of service...Army > Air Force?

Yes, this Air Force sergeant served as an infantryman in SW Pacific with 24th ID (according to the soldier's records). He was discharged in June 1945 and he later enlisted in the USAF, for one hitch during the Korean War (but not in Korea). His final assignment was 580th Air Resupply and Communications Wing (a PSYWAR cover) at Mt. Home AFB, where he was discharged as a staff sergeant in 1953. For the record, that is a Hawaiian Cadre patch on the sergeant's uniform, not "...a generic Hawaiian Dept patch..." Thanks to Forum member Louie for rescuing this uniform and sharing it at the Forum.

[DutchInfid3l]

FOUND IT!

 

The answer to the blue loop!

 

"As a side note, before the ribbon, a pale blue tab (approximately 2 inches) was worn on the left shoulder epaulet of the Class A uniform. This NCO Academy graduate tab was authorized in the early 1960s and was later replaced by the ribbon."

Site link

[DutchInfid3l]

FOUND IT!

 

The answer to the blue loop!

 

"As a side note, before the ribbon, a pale blue tab (approximately 2 inches) was worn on the left shoulder epaulet of the Class A uniform. This NCO Academy graduate tab was authorized in the early 1960s and was later replaced by the ribbon."

Site link

 

 

Ah, right. Typo.. should be mid '50s not the '60s, didn't even really READ it... was too excited that I found something actually WRITTEN about them!

[DutchInfid3l]

While going through my collection of "found online" photos for the thread of the same name, I found this photo yet again. An "In color" photo of an NCO school attendee wearing one...

[Bluehawk]

While going through my collection of "found online" photos for the thread of the same name, I found this photo yet again. An "In color" photo of an NCO school attendee wearing one...

 

Interestingly, this airman is showing all 3 of his Vietnam ribbons, so that would make his pale blue tab from the mid-late 1960s, thereabouts, not 1950s. But, wasn't the equivalent ribbon authorized in 1962?