I have been asked to do a military retirement cake due next Thurs. The man that is retiring has served for 20+ years and is a MSgt in the USAF. I have searched the galleries and have no clue what I am going to do. I don't know the man personally so I don't know how to make it personalized for him. I would like to do something classic but also something that will aww everyone that is at his retirement lunch. Any help that you could give would be wonderful! Thanks in advance. 
Hi, how about using a edible image of the USAF logo? You can find it in the party works web site. Maybe use matching colors and a few flowers. I looked at the edible image and it looks real nice!
Good luck with your cake and put up a picture of it if you can!
lilie
Here is a cake in the gallery that I think is AWESOME!! and classy
http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=coppermine&file=displayimage&meta=search&search=air%20force&cat=0&pos=23&search=air%20force
Hopefully I did that right so you can get to the pic.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.dodfire.com/graphics/Insignia/AF-ENL/E9-Chief%2520Master%2520Sergeant%2520of%2520the%2520Air%2520Force.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.dodfire.com/graphics/Insignia/AF-ENL/AF-ENL.htm&h=495&w=306&sz=52&hl=en&start=1&tbnid=J7TiiRgVFDvKEM:&tbnh=127&tbnw=78&prev=/images%3Fq%3DAir%2Bforce%2BMaster%2BSergeant%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US
fficial_s%26sa%3DX
here is a bunch of the insignias...I think they're called...the patch thingies on their uniforms....if you know what class he was I'm sure you could do a cake with that on it...he would certainly know what it was....or how about doing a half sheet cake and make it look like the american flag with an Air Force dark blue jacket...you know the dress uniform??? Laying it on the cake (make it out of fondant or something) maybe even have it personalized with his last name on it and any ribbons he may have earned while serving.
http://www.9thinfantry.bravepages.com/coins/626%20USAF%20%20MASTER%20SERGEANT%201ST%20SERGEANT.jpg
http://afrotc.iit.edu/cadets/uniform.html#
If you can, ask his wife (or whoever ordered from you) if he flew planes in the service. There may be a certain plane he piloted that you could reproduce on the cake.
You may also want to get an idea from that person whether they want a formal, serious cake, for a formal luncheon, highlighting his 20 yrs of service (in which case I agree with KHalstead on the insignias - very formal annd classy), or if they want a "woo hoo, you're finally retired" cake, for an informal lunc, in which case you could do a fun, colorful cake with the man in a hammock, or golfing, or whatever he likes to do.
When in doubt, I'd ask for clarification 
HTH!
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%