The United States Air Force Retired Lapel Pin is one of many items presented to Air Force personnel upon retirement after twenty years of service or who have been due to medical disability. These include a U.S. flag; Certificate of Retirement (DD Form 363AF); Certificate of Appreciation for Service in the Armed Forces of the United States (DD Form 2542); Presidential Letter of Appreciation (for thirty or more years of service); decorations, awards, honors, and letters of appreciation; and several Certificates of Appreciation for the retiree’s Spouse.
Retired Lapel Pins are worn on the left lapel of civilian or military attire. If the retiree is authorized to wear the Command Insignia pin, the Retired Lapel Pin takes precedence and Command Insignia pin is placed below it. If worn with the Gold Star Lapel Button, the pin is placed beside it to the inside with a quarter-inch of space between the two; the same rule applies for the Next Of Kin Lapel Button. Should the retiree be authorized all three, they are worn side by side with the Retired Lapel Pin to the inside; the wearer may choose the placement of the other two as there is no precedence set for them.