United States Air Force uniform regulations call for the wear of the Airman metal rank insignia with a variety of garments. On the Blue Pullover Sweater and the Blue Cardigan (with or without tie for males and without tie tab for females), the metal insignia is placed 5/8-inch from the shoulder seam with the edges of the insignia parallel to the edges of the epaulet. Female Airmen wear this metal rank insignia with the White Cardigan, which can be worn only with the Maternity Jumper and Maternity Long- and Short-Sleeved blouses (the White Cardigan may be worn under the Lightweight Blue Jacket, the Topcoat, and the All-Weather Coat.
The Airman (E-1) metal rank insignia is also worn on the Topcoat and the All-Weather Coat, where it is positioned one inch from the bottom of the collar and is parallel to the collar’s outer edge. (Regulations permit both male and female Airmen to wear large or small chevrons on the sleeves of these coats.) Finally, the insignia is also placed a half-inch above the name tag on the shirt worn with Medical Scrubs.
In the past, Airman were authorized to wear metal rank insignia on the Lightweight Blue Jacket, but this policy was phased out effective 1 January 2010.
More E-2 Airman Insignia and Devices