The Air Force issued their service specific Achievement Medal in 1981. These military ribbons and medals are awarded for outstanding achievement or meritorious service that would not warrant the receipt of the Commendation Medal. These military decorations were created specifically to commend the performance of junior officers and enlisted personnel, who are not generally eligible to receive Commendation Medals or Meritorious Service Medals, and are awarded by the local commander.
Air Force Achievement Medals are worn below the Joint Services Achievement Medal and any of the individual service’s Commendation Medals, and above the Combat Action Ribbon. Additional awards of these military medals are indicated by Oak Leaf Clusters.
The Air Force Achievement Medal is generally available as full size military medals and mini medals, military ribbons and lapel pins. Like most military medals, it is available as traditional slide-on full size military medals or mini-medals, traditional slide-on military ribbons, and thin military medals and mini-medals or military ribbons.