Badges of the United States Marine Corps

Insignia and badges of the United States Marine Corps are military "badges" issued by the United States Department of the Navy to Marines who achieve certain qualifications and accomplishments while serving on both active and reserve duty in the United States Marine Corps.

As described in Chapters 4 and 5 of Marine Corps Uniform Regulations [http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/sites/mcub/PAGES/Uniform%20Regs%20Chapters/Uniform%20Regs%20Index.asp MCO P1020.34] , "badges" are categorized as "breast insignia" (worn immediately above ribbons/medals) cite web
url=http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/sites/mcub/PAGES/Uniform%20Regs%20Chapters/Chapter%204_files/Chapter%204.asp
title=Uniform Regulations, Chapter 4, Paragraph 4002
publisher=United States Marine Corps
accessdate=2008-09-30] , "identification badges" (usually worn at breast pocket level) cite web
url=http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/sites/mcub/PAGES/Uniform%20Regs%20Chapters/Chapter%204_files/Chapter%204.asp
title=Uniform Regulations, Chapter 4, Paragraph 4007
publisher=United States Marine Corps
accessdate=2008-09-30] , and "marksmanship badges" (worn immediately below ribbons) cite web
url=http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/sites/mcub/PAGES/Uniform%20Regs%20Chapters/Chapter%205_files/Chapter%205.asp
title=Uniform Regulations, Chapter 5, Paragraph 5501
publisher=United States Marine Corps
accessdate=2008-09-30] .

For the purpose of this article, the term "badge" shall be used exclusively to describe "identification badges" and "marksmanship badges" , and the term "insignia" shall be used for other worn accouterments cite web
url=http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/sites/mcub/PAGES/Uniform%20Regs%20Chapters/Chapter%204_files/Chapter%204.asp
title=Uniform Regulations, Chapter 4, Insignia and Regulations for Wear
publisher=United States Marine Corps
accessdate=2008-10-01] , according to the language in Marine Corps Uniform Regulations.

The modern day United States Marine Corps currently maintains the following breast insignia and identification badges:

Breast Insignia

As per Marine Corps Assignment, Classification and Travel Systems Manual (ACTS MANUAL) MCO P1000.6 cite web
url=http://www.marines.mil/news/publications/Documents/MCO%20P1000.6G.pdf
title=Assignment, Classification and Travel Systems Manual MCO P1000.6
publisher=United States Marine Corps
accessdate=2008-10-01] , Marines wear the appropriate breast insignia for qualification or designation in aviation, parachutist, explosive ordnance disposal, and diving cite web
url=http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/sites/mcub/PAGES/Uniform%20Regs%20Chapters/Chapter%204_files/Fig%204-4.ppt
title=Uniform Regulations, Chapter 4, Figure 4-4
publisher=United States Marine Corps
accessdate=2008-10-01] .

Authorized breast insignia are worn on the left breast of all service and dress coats. It may optionally be worn on khaki shirts when it is the outermost garment, utility coats or maternity work uniform coats. Miniature versions exists for evening dress jackets cite web
url=http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/sites/mcub/PAGES/Uniform%20Regs%20Chapters/Chapter%204_files/Chapter%204.asp
title=Uniform Regulations, Chapter 4, Subparagraph 4002.3
publisher=United States Marine Corps
accessdate=2008-10-01] .

When worn alone, it is worn in the same position a single ribbon would be worn. When worn with ribbons, medals, or marksmanship badges, it is positioned 1/8" above such awards. On combat utility uniform coats with slanted pockets, it is worn above a horizontal line tangent to the highest point of the pocket or "U.S. MARINES" service tape cite web
url=http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/sites/mcub/PAGES/Uniform%20Regs%20Chapters/Chapter%204_files/Fig%204-15.ppt
title=Uniform Regulations, Chapter 4, Figure 4-15
publisher=United States Marine Corps
accessdate=2008-10-01] .

No more than two USMC-approved breast insignia shall be worn at any one time. When two insignia are worn it is ordered from top to bottom in the following order with 1/8" separation in between: diver, EOD, parachutist, aviation. A Marine with more than one insignia within the parachutist, EOD and diver groups may only wear the senior insignia of the group. Marines may wear two insignia from the aviation group .

Aviation Insignia

"Aviation Insignia" are breast insignia which are issued to Marines who are qualified or designated to perform duties related to operation and support of Marine aircraft.

Officer insignia include the Naval Aviator insignia for pilots and the Naval Flight Officer insignia for non-piloting officers. There is also an astronaut version of each of these insignia, known as the Naval Astronaut and Naval Astronaut (NFO), respectively.

The Marine Aerial Navigator insignia is issued to enlisted personnel qualified to act as navigators aboard Marine aircraft; the Naval Aviation Observer insignia is issued to flight support personnel; and the Aircrew insignia is issued to enlisted personnel designated to operate equipment aboard airborne aircraft.

Parachutist Insignia

The "Parachutist Insignia", also known as "jump wings", is awarded to personnel for training in airborne school. The basic insignia is issued for completion of basic parachutist training. The Naval Parachutist insignia is issued after 10 qualifying jumps.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)

The "Explosive Ordnance Disposal Warfare Insignia", also known as the "crab", is awarded to personnel trained to deal with the construction, deployment, disarmament, and disposal of high explosives munitions.

Diver Insignia

"Diver Insignia" are issued to personnel who are qualified divers and is given in several degrees. The first degree of the diver insignia is Scuba Diver. The remaining insignia are awarded for deep sea dive qualifications and are issued in the degrees of Second Class, First Class, Master Diver, and Diving Medical Technician for medical personnel who have qualified as both divers and medical response personnel to medical emergencies underwater.

A combatant diver insignia also exists (not shown).

Identification Badges and Marksmanship Badges

Other Accouterments

References

ee also

* Obsolete badges of the United States military
* Uniforms of the United States Marine Corps

External links

* [http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/sites/mcub/ Permanent Marine Corps Uniform Board (PMCUB)]