Pathfinder Badge (United States)

Infobox Military Award
name=Pathfinder Badge


awarded_by=United States Army
type=Badge
eligibility=
for=Completion of the U.S. Army Infantry School's Pathfinder Course
status=Currently awarded
established=
first_award=
last_award=On going
total=
posthumous=
recipients=
individual=
higher=(Group 3 badges)
Astronaut, EOD, Aviator, Flight Surgeon
same=(Group 4 badges)
Ramshead, Parachutist, Air Assault, Military Freefall Parachutist
lower=(Group 5 badges)
Diving, Driver and Mechanic, Rigger
related=


caption2=

The Pathfinder Badge is a military badge of the United States Army awarded to soldiers who successfully complete one of three Army courses: (i) the Pathfinder Course at the U.S. Army Infantry School at Fort Benning,Georgia; [https://www.benning.army.mil/airborne/pathfinder/index.htm] (ii) the pathfinder course of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, [http://www.campbell.army.mil/aas/] or (iii) the Army National Guard Warrior Training Center Course at Fort Benning. [https://www.benning.army.mil/wtc/wtc/b/pf/index.htm]

To be awarded the Pathfinder Badge, the soldier must complete instruction in advanced land navigation, advanced scouting, tactical air traffic control in the field, and the control of parachute operations; the badge is awarded on completing a final examination under field training exercise (FTX) conditions.

The Pathfinder badge's heraldic description and symbolism, who is eligible for it, its official approval date, et cetera, are in The Institute of Heraldry website. The current Pathfinder badge is made of enamelled metal. [http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Badges/pathfinder%20badge.htm]

The book "U.S. Army Air Force: 2", by Gordon Rottman and Francis Chin, about U.S.A.A.F. insignia in WWII, says the badge (then unofficial) was designed by a Lt. Prescott, a navigator in the 9th Troop Carrier Pathfinder Group (Provisional). Besides the paratroopers who earned it, the Pathfinder Badge was worn by IX Troop Carrier Command air crews who guided paratroop transports and towed gliders. The badge was designed in May of 1944, and issued to air crews before the Normandy invasion, and was worn four inches above the left sleeve cuff on the service coat. [http://www.amazon.com/US-Army-Air-Force-Elite/dp/1855323397]

Further information about the badge's origin, and the pathfinders during World War II, is in "American Airborne Pathfinders in World War II", by Jeff Moran, published by Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, Pennsylvania 19310. [http://www.booksamillion.com/ncom/books?id=3950054509481&isbn=0764317695]

Moreover, the Canadian Forces run a similar course, and those who qualify are awarded an identical badge.

ee also

*Pathfinders (military)