1. U.S. Code
  2. title 10
  3. subtitle D
  4. part II
  5. chapter 933
  6. § 9253

Collapse to view only § 9253. Flying officer rating: qualifications

§ 9251. Presentation of United States flag upon retirement
(a)Presentation of Flag.—Upon the release of a member of the Air Force or the Space Force from active duty for retirement, the Secretary of the Air Force shall present a United States flag to the member.
(b)Multiple Presentations Not Authorized.—A member is not eligible for a presentation of a flag under subsection (a) if the member has previously been presented a flag under this section or any other provision of law providing for the presentation of a United States flag incident to release from active service for retirement.
(c)No Cost to Recipient.—The presentation of a flag under this section shall be at no cost to the recipient.
(Added Pub. L. 105–261, div. A, title VI, § 644(c)(1), Oct. 17, 1998, 112 Stat. 2049, § 8681; amended Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title VI, § 652(e), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 666; renumbered § 9251, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 806(b)(9), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1833; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title IX, § 923(c)(9), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3811.)

CITE AS: 10 USC 9251

§ 9252.

An enlisted member of the Regular Air Force or the Space Force is entitled to count active service as an officer in the Air Force, in the Space Force, and in the Army, as enlisted service for all purposes.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 535, § 8684; renumbered § 9252, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 806(b)(9), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1833; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title IX, § 923(c)(10), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3811; Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title XVII, § 1721(a)(4), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 665.)

CITE AS: 10 USC 9252

§ 9253. Flying officer rating: qualifications
Only officers of the Air Force in the following categories may be rated as flying officers:
(1) Officers who have aeronautical ratings as pilots of service types of aircraft or as aircraft observers.
(2) Flight surgeons.
(3) Officers undergoing flight training.
(4) Officers who are members of combat crews, other than pilots of service types of aircraft, aircraft observers, and observers.
(5) In time of war, officers who have aeronautical ratings as observers.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 538, § 8691; renumbered § 9253, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 806(b)(9), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1833.)

CITE AS: 10 USC 9253

§ 9254. Authority to designate certain separated members of the Air Force as honorary separated members of the Space Force
(a)Authority.—The Secretary of the Air Force may prescribe regulations that authorize an eligible individual to be designated as an honorary separated member of the Space Force. An eligible individual so designated may be referred to as a “Legacy Guardian”.
(b)Elements.—Regulations prescribed under this section may include the following elements:
(1) Eligibility criteria, including applicable dates of service and constructive service credit, for designation under this section.
(2) An application process through which an eligible individual, or a survivor of a deceased eligible individual, may apply for such designation of such eligible individual.
(3) A certificate, approved device, or other insignia of such designation.
(c)Rule of Construction.—Designation of an eligible individual under this section shall not be construed to entitle such eligible individual to any benefit in addition to those established by this section or pursuant to regulations prescribed under this section.
(d)Eligible Individual Defined.—In this section, the term “eligible individual” means an individual—
(1) whom the Secretary of the Air Force determines served in support of space operations as a member of the Air Force; and
(2) who separates (or previously separated) from the armed forces as a member of the Air Force.
(Added Pub. L. 118–159, div. A, title V, § 525, Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 1885.)

CITE AS: 10 USC 9254