According to MARADMINS 261/18, Commandant of the Marine Corps Robert B. Neller approved the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) insignia on 27 November 2017, but in actuality the Commandant rendered the decision on 11 July 2017; the November date reflects the first official announcement of the move. The design of the insignia was not announced until May 2018.
Marines holding MOS 7314 (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operator – Enlisted) and 7315 (Unmanned Aircraft Commander – Officer) are authorized to wear the Unmanned Aircraft Systems insignia, which was released not only in full and miniature sizes, but also in gold and bronze versions (original plans called for an “antiqued” gold version). The Enlisted version features a stylized version of a drone aircraft inside a circle, while the Officer’s version has the same drone over crossed anchors.
If two Navy/Marine Corps Aviation insignia are worn at one time, the more senior insignia is placed 1/8th of an inch above the other. The UAS insignia is the least senior of all Navy and Marine Corps Aviation insignia and is immediately preceded in seniority by Naval Aviation Observer.