Air Force Chief Master Sergeants wear subdued embroidered insignia on utility uniforms (including Patrol Caps) and certain outerwear garments, each utilizing one of three different authorized attachment methods listed the “Style” selection box to the right.
Sew-on style are sewn directly onto the garment and are worn on the coats and Patrol Caps of the Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) and Airman Battlefield Uniform (ABU). Note: Sew-on ABU Chief Master Sergeant insignia can be found on the USAF Chevrons page—
click here and choose “ABU” in the Style selection box.)
“Rank with Velcro” is worn on the OCP coat and Fleece Jackets (Sage Green and the recently introduced Coyote Brown). “Gortex loops” are tubular insignia that slide over rank tabs found on garments like the Improved Rain Suit or Woodland Gore-Tex Jacket. The ABU version features the rank insignia on a drab monotone field, while the OCP version has the insignia set on a camouflage-pattern background.
More E-9 Chief Master Sergeant Insignia and DevicesUSAF regulations allows personnel to choose either Sew-on or Rank with Velcro for the OCP coat, but the attachment method they pick must be the same as the type used for the OCP nametape and USAF tape.
Use the reference chart below if you’re unsure of the insignia type and can’t access Department of the Air Force Instruction 36-2903,
Dress and Personal Appearance of United States Air Force and United States Space Force Personnel, for guidance.
| Uniform/Garment | Selections |
| OCP Coat | Rank with Velcro, OCP
Sew-on, OCP |
| ABU Coat (Officer) | Sew-on, ABU |
| ABU Coat (Enlisted) | Shoulder chevrons (go) |
| OCP Patrol Cap (Officers) | Sew-on, OCP |
| ABU Patrol Cap (Officers) | Sew-on, ABU |
| APECS | Gortex Loop, ABU |
| Improved Rain Suit | Gortex Loop, ABU |
| Sage Green Fleece | Rank with Velcro, ABU |
| Coyote Brown Fleece | Rank with Velcro, ABU |
| Woodland Gore-Tex Jacket | Gortex Loop, OCP |
| ECWCS | Gortex Loop, OCP |