You are an Air Force NCO and you had to be "educated" about how to wear uniform articles when off-duty?
Maybe you should try reading your own regulations, I think you still don't understand them.
AFI36-2903 7 FEBRUARY 2020
1.4. When NOT to wear the Air Force Uniform.
1.4.9. While in civilian attire. Unless prescribed in this instruction, do not mix or wear a combination of civilian and military clothing or unique uniform items e.g. rank insignia, cap devices, badges, and other United States or Air Force insignia, devices, buttons, etc. Exception: Tie tacks and lapel pins are authorized when wearing business attire.
That means that you don't wear currently authorized military clothing (with or without insignia, devices, badges, etc.) mixed with with civilian clothing. The key word here is "or", that means that you don't do either thing, wear a mix of civilian and military clothing or wear insignia, devices, badges, etc. on your civilian clothing.