Talking to the Air Force brings back "Hurry up and wait!"

I sent an e-mail to the Pentagon to get approval for using the "wings" portion of the USAF logo for our LinkedInUSAF Group badge. I got a form letter back from the Capt in charge. Ugh. This is actually going to take a while I suspect.

Here is a copy of the letter I sent in to the AF for approval to use the wings:


I have been coordinating a group of retired, separated, and active duty US Air Force personnel. This group is for USAF folks only. We are utilizing a web tool/site for professional networking called LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com). I have applied for a formal group to be managed by the LinkedIn Groups team. This group is to be designated LinkedInUSAF. Each group requires a "badge" and I cobbled together a pretty cool graphic for my groups use. I have attached the 100x50 GIF image to this e-mail.

For background, I am ex-USAF. I entered as delayed enlistment in 1980 during my Junior year in High School. I was active duty and reserves from 1981-1987. I left the USAF honorably as an E-4 from Offutt AFB with the AFSC of 328x4 (Avionics Inertial and Radar Navigation Specialist). I took Palace Chase and then re-entered the USAF Reserves at Beale AFB, CA. I was then promoted to E-5 SSgt and separated honorably from that assignment.

My assignments were:

Keesler AFB, MS for training
Pope AFB, AWADS extra training
Rhein Main AFB, 435th FMS (also supported the 7th SOS)
Offutt AFB, 55th AMS
Beale AFB, 9th AMS

I had the HUGE privilege of working on some very important planes and projects. I believe that I was given a great gift to be able to support EC/MC-130s, EC/RC/KC-135s, E-4A, SR-71, U-2, TR-1, and the KC-135Q. I have worked on some great computer systems and was careful to provide my chain of command the best I had to offer. I still love _MY_ United Stated Air Force - you should see the flag and stickers on my truck! :)

I am also a member of the AFA Chapter 361, Tennessee Ernie Ford (Air Force Assoc, Sunnyvale CA). The AFA is one of the groups that gave me the idea to start this LinkedInUSAF Networking Group. It is often where other ex-USAF folks are not aware of all the help they can receive from others right in their own backyard. I am trying to extend the help _I_ receive to other folks, via the world wide web.

The genesis for this group is to provide assistance to other USAF personnel, whether active or prior service. Our goal is to connect more people together so that we can help each other. This extends further in that by helping one person we can help husbands or wives, widows or widowers, brothers or sisters, parents or kids, aunts or uncles, you name it we want to continue to help.

There is no revenue at all to be gained from this group. The group does not sell anything, nor do we expect to gain anything other than support from our fellow airmen - past or present. This "badge" is displayed next to each of our names which identifies us to other folks in the system. Only USAF personnel can join - no exceptions. We are a closed organization/group. This badge is also displayed in our Yahoo! Group where we share links to services, guides to help others with their careers, instructions on how to get help from the VA, etc. There currently are no plans to create a bumper sticker or a hat/shirt - we are too new for that to begin. If and when this is an issue, I will be sure to re-apply and gain approval for items other than a web-graphic (unless the license agreement is broad and covers that use as well).

At this time, to get the LinkedInUSAF Group approved by the LinkedIn Groups team, I need authorization to use the wings in my badge. I also utilized the 'U' 'S' 'A' 'F' from the AirForce Link web site and fashioned a badge that will fit into a 100x50 and 60x30 GIF file. It was hard to ensure that everyone knew that we are LinkedIn and USAF - you'll see by the attachment.

I read the guidelines for utilizing the wings portion of the logo. As for the spacing for the letters in U.S.A.F. that I am using, I attempted to follow your guidelines. I hope that I have succeeded. I tried to separate the wings from the other logo (LinkedIn's logo) as well as to keep from crowding the wings and the letters for the USAF.

I respect the United Stated Air Force a great deal. I served my country and would return in a second! If I woke up tomorrow and saw my bags at the end of my bed, and I was 17 again, and I knew just what I would be doing in the Air Force, I'd hop right out of bed and run to the bus stop!

Please let me know how best to complete the license agreement to allow my professional networking group the use of the wings. I have about 500 people waiting to get their "badge" - and I paid out of pocket (my own money) to get this group approved by LinkedIn Groups. I really do not want to fail my fellow airmen!

Thanks for your time and consideration. Please respond to provide me some sort of time line or extra guidelines.

Sincerely,


Steve Glaiser


So, in classic Air Force process management, I get the following back:


Sir/Ma'am,

Thank you for your request for information regarding licensing/approval of commercial use of the official Air Force Symbol. Unfortunately, official licensing of the Air Force Symbol is temporarily on-hold. Legislation passed recently that requires changes to each services' trademark licensing programs. As such the Air Force is in the process of modifying their trademark program and licensing agreement. Program changes should be finalized and ready for implementation within the next few weeks, allowing licensing to resume shortly after that.

Although future changes in the licensing program may provide opportunities for the Air Force to license use of the symbol to manufacturers for retail sale to larger commercial markets, the Air Force is currently only licensing to vendors who will sell their products exclusively through the Army/Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES). For more information about how to sell to Army/Air Force Exchanges, contact the AAFES at:

http://www.aafes.com/pa/selling/index.html

For individuals requesting information on the Official Air Force Seal or Emblem, please Mr. Jay Godwin xxx-xxx-xxx or Dr. Timothy Warnock xxx-xxx-xxxx at http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil for more information. Of special note, the Air Force Seal is reserved for Air Force internal use only.

Your request will be filed and an application will be sent via e-mail as soon as our program resumes.

Please call me at the numbers provided below if you have any questions. I look forward to working with you in the future.

Capt. Halfhill


//SIGNED//
DeDe S. Halfhill
DEDE S. HALFHILL, Capt, USAF
Integrated Marketing
SAF/PAY
1690 Air Force Pentagon
Washington, DC 20330-1690


Well, looks like being able to use the wings is an adventure in itself. If anyone out there can help, please mail me LinkedInUSAF@gmail.com

This badge is gonna look so cool!!! I just wish the Air Force was a little more responsive. I guess I have to get on the horn and start calling around, starting with Capt Halfhill.

Stand by, more to come ...