31, 1981, the last Navy enlisted pilot, ACCM Robert Jones (who had been designated in 1947) retired, closing the book on the NAP rating and insignia. Though there would be no new NAPs following April 2, 1948, those existing in the rating who continued to serve on active duty, also maintained their rating and flight status in dwindling numbers. By 1948 when Congress discontinued the training program for enlisted naval aviation pilots, nearly 3,800 enlisted sailors had completed the training program since it was established. During World War II, at least 2,200 NAPs earned their wings (according to ). The Bureau of Navigation further expanded the ratings for NAP to include second and third class petty officers. With World War II in full swing and the shift from ship-to-ship fighting became secondary to over-the-horizon, aviation-based offensive tactics expanded the need for pilots exponentially. The maker that applied this mark is unknown to collectors. The anchor-embroidery is not very common on rating badges. This particular rating badge has an anchor embroidered on the reverse side. The left side of the bottom chevron is embroidered with the 1944 date.Ī standard, right-facing NAP rating badge. This straight-wing NAP rating badge features the standard, right-facing eagle and is dated (on the reverse), 1944. As the program continued, the Navy expanded the NAP rating for first class petty officers in September of 1927. In a MaBureau of Navigation Circular, the Navy officially established the rating of Naval Aviation Pilot (NAP) for for Chief Petty Officers. In the years after the 1918 Armistice, the Bureau of Navigation (the command responsible for managing and training personnel) issued a policy that would incorporate enlisted and warrant officers as a standard practice for flight training. A significant number of the enlisted aviators were offered and accepted commissions as naval officers while a few continued serving and flying as petty officers. Throughout WWI, enlisted pilot training continued for the Navy with flyers in ratings (Quartermaster and Machinist’s Mate) designated as aviators. Showing the reverse of the second (in my collection) left-facing rating badge, dated 1943. The second of my two rating badges with a curved-wing NAP and a left-facing eagle. Showing the reverse of the left-facing rating badge, this one is dated 1943. One of two such anomalies in my collection. The curved-wing NAP with a left-facing eagle. Similarly, the Navy graduated seven petty officers and two Marine Corps sergeants in 1916, launching the program that would evolve into the Naval Aviation Pilot rating. Signal Corps (the predecessor to the Flying Service which would become the Army Air Corps) was already engaged in training non-officer personnel as early as 1912, graduating the qualified men as Flying Sergeants. Both the Army and the Navy trained non-commissioned and petty officers as aviators prior to the United States’ entry into World War I. Utilizing enlisted personnel is certainly not a new idea for sourcing military aviator candidates. Leadership announced an expansion of the enlisted drone pilot program in January. In 2016, USAF leadership commenced a program to begin training (E-5 and up) enlisted drone pilots in an effort to free up experienced officers for candidacy as manned aircraft aviators. Not since World War II has the Air Force turned to the enlisted ranks to source candidates to pilot aircraft. Enlisted pilots? – Editorial by Dick Trail, McCook Gazette, April 3, 2018.Air Force program may lead to enlisted combat pilots – By Douglas Ernst – The Washington Times – December 6, 2017.Air Force May Approve Enlisted Pilots for First Time in 75 Years – By Oriana Pawlyk,, March 31, 2018.With the severe cuts made to the armed forces in the last decade combined with retirements and a vibrant aviation industry, luring aviators from their Air Force careers to more financially lucrative civilian jobs, the stick and rudder vacancies are mounting leaving leadership to think creatively in order to fill the empty seats. In the past six months, news stories centered on the increasing pilot-shortage issues faced by the United States Air Force have been frequently published in the media ranging from the Military and Air Force Times to mainstream outlets such as the Washington Post, New York Times and Fox News. One of collectors’ most sought-after rating badges from the World War II-era (and prior), the Naval Aviation Pilot (NAP).
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