Marksmanship Badge (United States)

A Marksmanship Qualification Badge is a military badge of the United States Army and United States Marine Corps which is presented to service members upon successful completion of a weapons qualification course. They are issued in the three grades (in order of precedence): Expert, Sharpshooter, and Marksman. Marine Corps and Army recruits cannot exit initial training until a qualification of at least Marksman has been obtained. ^{[1] [2]}

The Marine Corps only issues marksmanship badges for the pistol and rifle, while the Army issues marksmanship badges for a variety of weapons. ^{[1] [2]}

The Army and Marine Corps are the only services that issue marksmanship badges for non-competition qualification. Marksmanship Medals and/or Marksmanship Ribbons are issued by the United States Navy, United States Coast Guard, and United States Air Force to denote weapons qualifications. However, all of the United States armed forces awarded marksmanship competition badges to service members who succeed in officially sponsored competitions. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]}

Marksmanship Qualification

United States Army

U.S. Army marksmanship qualification badges

The United States Army issues marksmanship qualification badges to enlisted personnel at three different qualification levels; expert, sharpshooter, and marksman. Suspended from the badge are qualification bars that indicate the specific weapon(s) in which the soldier has qualified. Qualification bars are authorized for the following weapons (listed with exact inscription): Rifle, Pistol, AA Arty, Auto Rifle, Machinegun, Field Artillery, Tank Weapons, Flamethrower, Submachine Gun, Rocket Launcher, Grenade, Carbine, Recoilless Rifle, Mortar, Bayonet, Small Bore Rifle, Small Bore Pistol, Missile, and Aero-weapons. Only three marksmanship badges are authorized for wear at one time and each may only have up to three qualification bars. ^{[1] [7] [8]}

Army marksmanship qualification badges are not permanent awards. Each soldier must, at a minimum, re-qualify every 12 month with the same weapon and at the same level in order to continue to wear a specific marksmanship badge and qualification bar. If a Soldier does not re-qualify within 12 month, the badge and/or qualification bar is no longer authorized for wear. ^[7]

United States Marine Corps

U.S. Marine Corps marksmanship qualification badges

Marine Corps marksmanship qualification badges are suspended beneath a bar reading the type of weapon and qualification received. The badge is also different in appearance, depending on which weapon qualification has been obtained. ^[2]

For a marksmanship qualification badge to be obtained, a service member must obtain a passing score and will receive a qualification level depending on the score obtained. As of October 1, 2007, the Marine Corps has implemented a scored, Field Fire (AKA Table 2, from 25–100 m/82–330 ft) portion to the established Known Distance (AKA Table 1, or "KD" from 200–500 m/660–1,600 ft) course of fire. This is the tactical counterpart to the competition style shooting of Table 1. The Table 2 fire is based on a 100 point scale and is additional to the legacy 250 point scale for Table 1. Scores for marksman range from 250–279, 280–304 for sharpshooter, and 305–350 for expert. If a Marine fails to qualify on the Field Fire portion, the individual's score will be dropped to 250 regardless of their actual score on the Known Distance course. Qualifying on the Known Distance course is a prerequisite to continue to Field Fire. ^[9]

For annual qualification with the M9 Service Pistol, the course of fire consists of engaging targets at distances of 25 yards, 7 yards, and 15 yards (in that order). The qualification scores range from 245-304 for marksman, 305-344 for sharpshooter, and 345-400 for expert. ^[9]

Once a qualification has been obtained, and the marksmanship badge issued, the badge may be worn for the remainder of a military career, or until a different level of qualification (higher or lower) is achieved. Typically, all Marines qualify with the rifle on an annual basis. The most recent qualification score determines the badge that is worn. If a Marine achieves the qualification of expert multiple times in his or her career with either the rifle or pistol, an additional "rung" may be added to the respective badge denoting the number of awards earned. If that same Marine then qualifies as a sharpshooter or marksman at a later date, they shall wear that respective badge until they again qualify as an expert. ^[9]

Weapons attachments, such as the Rifle Combat Optic (RCO) and vertical foregrip, are permitted. ^[9]

Competition Marksmanship

Distinguished Shooter Badges

The Distinguished International Shooter Badge (center) is awarded to civilian and military personal alike, as is the Distinguished Rifleman Badge (left) and the Distinguished Pistol Shot Badge (right); however these two badges are hung from service unique attachment bars (civilian attachment bars pictured above).

The U.S. government established the Distinguished International Shooter, Distinguished Rifleman/Marksman, and the Distinguished Pistol Shot Badges as its highest awards for marksmanship excellence. The 1996 federal law that created the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) as a “federally-chartered” corporation authorized to promote practice and safety in the use of firearms through the conduct of matches, competitions, and to award trophies, prizes, badges and other insignia. This authorization carried with it the responsibility to administer the Distinguished Shooter program as well as Excellence in Competition (EIC) matches. The CMP maintains records of EIC credit points earned by shooters and presents EIC badges to shooters who qualify. ^{[10] [11]}

First created in 1903, Distinguished Shooter badges may be either a military-issued badge of the U.S. Military, or a civilian issued badge. The badge is intended to recognize competitors who have obtained an exceptional score at multiple official marksmanship competitions against a field of their peers. ^{[10] [11]}

Issued for both rifle and pistol, to obtain a Distinguished Shooter Badge a competitor must be awarded thirty (30) credit points, often referred to as "leg points", when competing in the authorized excellence category of competition matches. The badge is a onetime decoration and may be worn for the remainder of an individual’s military career. ^[10]

The decoration may be worn simultaneously with the U.S. Military's standard marksmanship badge. Subdued and miniature versions are not authorized. ^{[1] [2]}

Each Distinguished Shooter badge hangs from a service unique attachment bar that is etched with the name of their branch of service. Rifle awardees of the U.S. Army, Air Force, and civilians are presented badges with the word "Rifleman" etched at their base. Rifle awardees of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard are present badges with the word "Marksman" etched at their base. All services, except the Air Force, are awarded the same pistol shot badge. The Air Force issue the larger Rifleman/Marksman version of the badge as their pistol badge with the words "Pistol Shot" etched at its base. ^{[10] [11]}

• Distinguished Rifleman Badge (Army, Air Force and civilian)
• Distinguished Marksman Badge (Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard)
• Distinguished Pistol Shot Badge

National Trophy Match and Interservice Competition Badges

U.S. Army Interservice Competition badge for "Overall Team Aggregate"

The U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard issue the same Excellence in Competition (EIC) badge, depicted below, for national and interservice competitions. However, the Navy and Coast Guard etched the word "National" or "Interservice" at the top or bottom of their EIC badges respectively to distinguish them from one another. --The Navy and Marine Corps hold internal competitions at the fleet and division level respectively; those delineations are also etched onto the Navy's and Marine Corps's EIC badges.-- The Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard award their national and interservice badges at three levels (gold, silver, and bronze) while the Air Force only award their badges at two levels (silver and bronze). ^{[2] [3] [4] [5]}

Although authorized under AR 670-1, the U.S. Army does not have a national trophy match badge. However, the Army does award a unique Interservice Competition badge. The Army's Interservice Competition badge is a hexagon shaped multicolored badge that incorporates the emblems of the five military services and a modified shield from the Great Seal of the United States. The badge hangs from an elaborate attachment bar which bears the name of the event where the badge was earned. ^[1]

Excellence in Competition Badges

U.S. military and civilian Excellence in Competition badges

Example: USAF's Bronze Excellence-In-Competition Pistol & Bronze Excellence-In-Competition Rifle badges

The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) awards Excellence in Competition (EIC) badges to military personnel per the individual shooter's service regulations. For example, the U.S. Coast Guard awards their Bronze EIC badge when a member earns his or her first credit points in accordance with Coast Guard Commandant Instruction Manual 8000.2 (series), Ordnance Manual. For civilian competitors, the CMP awards bronze EIC badges after they have earned at least six points towards “Distinguished” designation. The CMP awards silver EIC badges to civilian competitors after they have earned at least 20 points. ^{[5] [12]}

The following is a list of U.S. military EIC badges that are authorized for wear of the service uniform in order of precedence by service: ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [10]}

• Army Excellence In Rifle Competition (Silver)
• Army Excellence In Pistol Shot Competition (Silver)
• Army Excellence In Rifle Competition (Bronze)
• Army Excellence In Pistol Shot Competition (Bronze)

• Navy Excellence In Rifleman Competition (Gold)
• Navy Excellence In Pistol Shot Competition (Gold)
• Navy Excellence In Rifleman Competition (Silver)
• Navy Excellence In Pistol Shot Competition (Silver)
• Navy Excellence In Rifleman Competition (Bronze)
• Navy Excellence In Pistol Shot Competition (Bronze)

• Air Force Silver Excellence-In-Competition Rifle Badge with Wreath
• Air Force Silver Excellence-In-Competition Pistol Badge with Wreath
• Air Force Bronze Excellence-In-Competition Rifle Badge with Wreath
• Air Force Bronze Excellence-In-Competition Pistol Badge with Wreath
• Air Force Bronze Excellence-In-Competition Rifle Badge
• Air Force Bronze Excellence-In-Competition Pistol Badge

• Marine Corps Rifle Competition Badge (Gold)
• Marine Corps Pistol Competition Badge (Gold)
• Marine Corps Rifle Competition Badge (Silver)
• Marine Corps Pistol Competition Badge (Silver)
• Marine Corps Rifle Competition Badge (Bronze)
• Marine Corps Pistol Competition Badge (Bronze)

• Coast Guard Rifleman Excellence in Competition Badge (Silver)
• Coast Guard Pistol Shot Excellence in Competition Badge (Silver)
• Coast Guard Rifleman Excellence in Competition Badge (Bronze)
• Coast Guard Pistol Shot Excellence in Competition Badge (Bronze)

Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition Badges

Example images of some U.S. Marine Corps marksmanship competition badges

Example: USMC marksmanship competition badges from left to right: Distinguished Marksman Badge, USMC's Rifle Team Match Trophy Badge (Wirgman Trophy), & USMC's Pistol Team Match Trophy Badge (Shively Trophy)

In addition to the marksmanship badges described above, the U.S. Marine Corps also has numerous other marksmanship competition badges that are authorized for wear on Marine Corps uniforms. These badges are awarded alongside trophies that are presented to the top performing Marines at Marine Corps sponsored marksmanship competitions. The following marksmanship competition badges are authorized for wear on Marine Corps uniforms and are listed in order of precedence: ^[2]

• Distinguished International Shooter Badge
• Distinguished Marksman Badge
• Distinguished Pistol Shot Badge
• Lauchheimer Trophy Badge (Gold, Silver, and Bronze)
• Marine Corps Rifle Championship Badge (McDougal Trophy)
• Marine Corps Pistol Championship Badge (Walsh Trophy)
• Marine Corps Rifle Competition Badge (Gold)
• National Trophy Rifle Match Badge (Gold)
• Interservice Rifle Match Badge (Gold)
• Marine Corps Pistol Competition Badge (Gold)
• National Trophy Pistol Match Badge (Gold)
• Interservice Pistol Match Badge (Gold)
• Marine Corps Rifle Competition Badge (Silver)
• National Trophy Rifle Match Badge (Silver)
• Interservice Rifle Match Badge (Silver)
• Marine Corps Pistol Competition Badge (Silver)
• National Trophy Pistol Match Badge (Silver)
• Interservice Pistol Match Badge (Silver)
• Marine Corps Rifle Competition Badge (Bronze)
• National Trophy Rifle Match Badge (Bronze)
• Interservice Rifle Match Badge (Bronze)
• Marine Corps Pistol Competition Badge (Bronze)
• National Trophy Pistol Match Badge (Bronze)
• Interservice Pistol Match Badge (Bronze)
• Inter-Division Rifle Competition Badge
• Inter-Division Pistol Competition Badge
• Fleet Marine Force (FMF) Combat Infantry Trophy Match Badge
• Annual Rifle Squad Combat Practice Competition Badge (Gold, Silver, and Bronze)
• Division Rifle Competition Badge (Gold)
• National Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice (NBPRP) Rifle Competition Badge (Gold)
• Division Pistol Competition Badge (Gold)
• NBPRP Pistol Competition Badge (Gold)
• Division Rifle Competition Badge (Silver)
• NBPRP Rifle Competition Badge (Silver)
• Division Pistol Competition Badge (Silver)
• NBPRP Pistol Competition Badge (Silver)
• Division Rifle Competition Badge (Bronze)
• NBPRP Rifle Competition Badge (Bronze)
• Division Pistol Competition Badge (Bronze)
• NBPRP Pistol Competition Badge (Bronze)
• San Diego, Wharton, Elliott, Wirgman, Lloyd, and Smith Trophy Rifle Team Match Badges
• Holcomb, Edson, Shively, and Pacific Trophy Pistol Team Match Badges

President's Hundred Tab

U.S. Army President's Hundred Tab

U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard President's Hundred Tab

Main article: President's Hundred Tab

The President's Hundred award is presented to the 100 top-scoring military and civilian shooters in the President's Pistol and President's Rifle Matches. All military personnel and civilians who earn this award are presented with a President's Hundred bronze metallic brassard for personal display. A cloth tab version of the award is worn on the shoulder of the Army Combat Uniform and the enlisted service uniforms of U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard personnel. A smaller metal version of this tab is worn on the chest of the Army Service Uniform. ^{[1] [4] [5] [7] [13] [14]}

Governor's Twenty Tab

Governor's Twenty Tab

The Governor's Twenty Tab is a state level award, awarded to the top 20 shooters in a state. Each year eight are awarded for rifle, eight are awarded for pistol, two are awarded for sniper, and two are awarded for machine gun. Participants might compete against other soldiers and airmen who have already received the award, so there might only be one or two new recipients each year. This tab is worn on the left shoulder pocket of the Army Combat Uniform below U.S. Army individual tabs and above unit and honor guard tabs. ^{[15] [16] [17]}

See also

Military of the United States portal

• Marksmanship Ribbon
• Marksmanship Device
• Marksmanship Medal
• Military badges of the United States
• Tabs of the United States Army

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h} U.S. Army Regulation 670-1: Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia, Official Department of the Army Publications and Forms, dated 3 Feb 05, last accessed 4 Oct 11
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h} U.S. Marine Corps Order P1020.34: Marine Corps Uniform Regulations, Chapter 5, Awards, Permanent Marine Corps Uniform Board, dated 29 Oct 09, last accessed 4 Oct 11
3. ^ ^{a b c} U.S. Air Force Instruction 34-227: Excellence-In-Competition, Secretary of the Air Force, dated 15 Nov 04, last accessed 11 Oct 11
4. ^ ^{a b c d} U.S. Navy Uniform Regulations: Chapter 5, Section 3 Identification Badges/Awards/Insignia, Navy Personnel Command, updated 27 Jul 11, last accessed 4 Oct 11
5. ^ ^{a b c d e} U.S. Coast Guard Uniform Regulations COMDTINST M1020.6F, Commandant United States Coast Guard, dated Feb 09, last accessed 4 Oct 11
6. ^ Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Personnel Center, posted 5 Aug 10, accessed 11 Nov 11
7. ^ ^{a b c} U.S. Army Regulation 600-8-22, Military Awards, Official Department of the Army Publications and Forms, dated 11 Dec 06, revised 15 Sep 11, last accessed 4 Oct 11
8. ^ The Institute of Heraldry: Uniformed Services ~ Army > U.S. Army Badges > Weapons Qualification, Office of the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of Army, last accessed 4 Sep 11
9. ^ ^{a b c d} U.S. Marine Corps Order 3574.2K, Marine Corps Combat Marksmanship Programs, Headquarters United States Marine Corps, dated 1 Aug 07, last accessed 4 Oct 11
10. ^ ^{a b c d e} A Short History of the Distinguished Shooter Program, by Hap Rocketto, dated 28 Sep 10, last accessed 4 Oct 11
11. ^ ^{a b c} In Distinguished Company, by Dick Culver, last accessed 11 Nov 11
12. ^ Civilian Marksmanship Program Competition Rules, 15th Edition-2011, Civilian Marksmanship Program, dated 20 Apr 11, last accessed 4 Oct 11
13. ^ President's Hundred Tab, The Institute of Heraldry, Uniformed Services~Army, Tabs, last accessed 11 November 2011
14. ^ A Short History of the President's Match and the President's Hundred, by Hap Rocketto, 19 Mar 08, last accessed 11 Nov 11
15. ^ Texas National Guard Marksmanship Program, Governor's Twenty, Texas National Guard, updated 4 Aug 11, last accessed 13 Nov 11
16. ^ TXSG Team Wins First Place In 2009 Texas Adjutant General’s Combat Pistol Sustainment Exercise Competition, Texas State Guard, by Maj. J. Michael Spraggins, dated 7 May 07, last accessed 13 Nov 11
17. ^ Tabs and Badges a Measure of Missouri Guardmembers' Marksmanship, Missouri National Guard, dated 23 Dec 10, last accessed 13 Nov 11

• All Air Force Sports Teams: USAF Shooting Program, USAFSports.com, last accessed 4 Oct 11
• United States Navy Marksmanship Team, U.S. Navy, last accessed 13 Nov 11
• United States Army Marksmanship Unit, U.S. Army, last accessed 13 Nov 11