§ 9251. Presentation of United States flag upon retirement

• (a) Upon the release of a member of the Air Force from active duty for retirement, the Secretary of the Air Force shall present a United States flag to the member.
• (b) 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) The presentation of a flag under this section shall be at no cost to the recipient.

§ 9252. Service credit: regular enlisted members; service as an officer to be counted as enlisted service

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

§ 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.