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U.S. Air Force aeronautical ratings are military aviation skill standards established and awarded by the United States Air Force for commissioned officers participating in "regular and frequent flight",〔The standard by which flight status has been defined in law, executive orders, and regulations since 1913.〕 either aerially or in space, in performance of their duties. USAF aeronautical badges, commonly referred to as "wings" from their shape and their historical legacy, are awarded by the Air Force in recognition of degrees of achievement and experience. Officers earning these badges and maintaining their requirements are classified as rated officers and receive additional pay and allowances. The first U.S. military aviator ratings were awarded in 1912, and the issuance of badges for recognition of the award began in 1913. The division of ratings into multiple skill levels and categories began in 1914 and expanded during World War I. With minor variations in numbers and titles of ratings, the system remained largely unchanged until 1940, when the current system of pilot ratings was introduced. During World War II, as many as 19 aeronautical ratings were recognized and awarded by the Army Air Forces, but most were discontinued after the war when the USAF came into being. USAF ratings gradually expanded until seven categories and 21 ratings exist currently. The most recent change added the ''RPA (Remotely Piloted Aircraft) Pilot'' rating, effective 13 December 2010. Although in much smaller numbers, enlisted personnel were historically eligible to be rated until 1949. Since the later 1950s, highly trained enlisted personnel, along with officers whose duties do not include flying, are recognized by the awarding of Air Force Occupational Badges. ==Overview== For all categories of aeronautical ratings, to be eligible for the rating and to wear the appropriate badge, an officer must be medically qualified to fly and also be qualified by flying status proficiency. Certified flight officers who develop medical conditions that disqualify them from flying are classified DNIF (Duties Not Including Flying). DNIF may be temporary or permanent. Officers placed on permanent DNIF status are either cross-trained into another career field, or separated from the Air Force, depending on the severity of their medical condition. The Astronaut "qualifier" is awarded only by the Air Force Chief of Staff for rated officers formally qualified to perform duties at least 50 miles above the earth's surface and who have participated in at least one operational mission, and has a distinctive Astronaut Badge, consisting of a "shooting star" qualifier device superimposed on their rated badge.〔Air Force Instruction (AFI) 11-402, Paragraph 2.2.2; 13 December 2010, superseding AFI 11-402 25 September 2007.〕 The seven categories of aeronautical ratings, as authorized by Title 10, U.S.C. 8691, are:〔AFI 11-402. Paragraph 2.2 defines the categories of aeronautical ratings and Paragraph 2.4 the authority making the award.〕 * Pilot: awarded by the Commander or delegated wing commanders, Air Education and Training Command (AETC) * Navigator: awarded by the Commander or delegated wing commanders, AETC〔Navigator remains a rated category, but is in the process of being phased out in favor of the more comprehensive and versatile CSO category. Kreisher, Otto. ("Versatile, Ready, and Rated" ). ''AIR FORCE Magazine'', August 2007 (vol. 90, no. 8). Accessed December 11, 2009.〕 * Combat System Operator (CSO):〔(AFI11-402 ''Aviation and Parachutist Service, Aeronautical Ratings and Aviation Badges'' ), p.2 Summary of Changes (2 February 2013). Retrieved 31 August 2015〕 awarded by the Commander or delegated wing commanders, AETC〔Added 25 September 2007. Under a program that began in the fall of 2004 to replace the "Joint Specialized Undergraduate Navigator Training" course, portions of the previous navigator and electronic warfare officer training courses were combined into a curriculum with the objective of developing an aviator with cross-flow capability between the two positions on combat aircraft. The curriculum includes a wider range of topics, with an increased emphasis on warfighting, to develop leadership, decision-making and mission management skills. Navigators and CSOs wear identical badges.〕 * Air Battle Manager (ABM): awarded by the Commander or delegated air control wing commanders, AETC〔Added 1 October 1999. 〕 * RPA Pilot: awarded by the Commander or delegated wing commanders, Air Combat Command,〔Added 13 December 2010.〕 or Commander, Air Force Reserve Command〔Commander AFRC presents to USAF officers who complete RPA Formal Training Unit in conjunction with Undergraduate RPA Training at March Air Reserve Base, California.〕 * Observer: awarded by the Senior Air Force Officer, National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Badge is identical to that worn by USAF Navigators and CSOs. In current practice, is awarded with the astronaut distinguishing insignia to those USAF officer astronauts who are not previously rated USAF Pilots or USAF Navigators/CSOs. Although identical to the badge worn by Navigators and CSOs, recipients are not graduates of USAF Navigator or CSO training. * Flight Surgeon: awarded by the Commander, USAF School of Aerospace Medicine 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「U.S. Air Force aeronautical rating」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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