Posted on Mar 20, 2014
Should I wear a marksmanship badge when separated/retired from the Army?
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I recently had an occasion to wear my ASU despite being separated from the Army, and a thought occurred to me while doing my PCC. I knew when I separated that I needed to strip my uniform of shoulder DUI, unit awards not on my DD214, and the fourragere but my question was does the sterilizing extend to the marksmanship badge as well?
The following is what I've been able to determine through a bit of research. AR 670-1 para 30-1.b states that "all persons wearing the Army uniform will wear awards, decorations, and insignia in the same manner as prescribed in this regulation for active duty soldiers." AR 600-8-22 para 8-44.a gives no time requirement/expiration on marksmanship badges, and only states to wear the "qualification last attained."
Considering these two regs, am I correct in my thinking that I should essentially consider my last active duty qualification as a permanent award and continue to wear the marksmanship badge on my ASU?
Edit: Fixed broken formatting
The following is what I've been able to determine through a bit of research. AR 670-1 para 30-1.b states that "all persons wearing the Army uniform will wear awards, decorations, and insignia in the same manner as prescribed in this regulation for active duty soldiers." AR 600-8-22 para 8-44.a gives no time requirement/expiration on marksmanship badges, and only states to wear the "qualification last attained."
Considering these two regs, am I correct in my thinking that I should essentially consider my last active duty qualification as a permanent award and continue to wear the marksmanship badge on my ASU?
Edit: Fixed broken formatting
Posted in these groups: 
Marksmanship
Badges
Marksmanship Badges
Edited 5 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 25
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My uniform is in my closet set up just like it was when I retired. I don't plan to change it. I've only worn it twice since I retired and that was within the first two years. The next time I will probably wear it is in my coffin. :-)
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SFC Ernest Thurston
My thinking is that if you earned it wear it. While on active duty technically if you qualify as expert and later qualify as a marksman you should change the badge to reflect what is in your official training record. But once you exit the military you will not be officially re-qualifying, so the last award would be your authorized award. Wear it proudly.
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Based on AR 670-1, there is nothing preventing you from wearing it. As you stated, in para 30-1 b, you are to wear all badges the same way active servicemembers do. I would if it was me. HOWEVER, if you look at pictures of former servicemembers who recieve the Medal of Honor after they seperate, most of them are not wearing their qualification badges.
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SGT (Join to see)
Thank you sergeant for posting. You're last point regarding the MOH recipients is something I had not considered, but I think I will keep the badge on my uniform. I despise a lot of the Army "flair" that has accumulated on my rack, but my marksmanship badge is something that I can truly say I earned. Short of me finding a reg that puts separated soldiers into the exempt category, it will stay.
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MAJ (Join to see)
I had always been told that marksmanship badges expire after one year (which is why you have to requalify each year). However, AR 600-8-22 para 1-31 c. (11) states that a badge is revoked only when "an individual, upon completion of firing a record course for which the previous award was made, has not attained the same qualification".
Since you don't complete the qualification course in retirement, I don't see any reason why you couldn't wear it aside from the fact that it is not customary to do so.
Since you don't complete the qualification course in retirement, I don't see any reason why you couldn't wear it aside from the fact that it is not customary to do so.
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SFC David Pope, MBA
MAJ (Join to see) - On separation from the Army I had received a briefing on proper wear of the class A uniform by retirees. In the briefing they stated that unlike active duty or reserve soldiers, you are authorized to wear the marksmanship badge that is shown on your DD-214 for life, unless you return to duty and receive an adjusted DD-214 that has a more recent qualification. I have two DD-214's that have two different marksmanship badges. I was invited to a Redleg social, and this discussion came up. My long time friend and retired Master Sgt told me to wear the better one, because nobody is going to do a uniform inspection on a retired senior NCO.
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1SG (Join to see)
Maj, TRADOC reg says you have to qualify once per year. AR670-1 says you wear the last one you qualified. That's where the confusion comes in. TRADOC reg has no mention of wearing marksmanship badges. I shot expert with a pistol in 2005. I qualified with the M16 every year after. I wear the pistol tab and always will. I qualified expert with the Grenade in basic, but don't have the paperwork to prove it so I took it off...
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First, thanks for your honorable service.
I am not so sure you'd be authorized to wear the marksmanship qualification badge. As I understand the regulation, specifically in paragraph 29-16 b (2), it states "How worn. Marksmanship badges are worn in order of precedence from the wearer’s right, and to the left of any special skill badges that are worn. Normally, all soldiers wear at least one marksmanship badge, unless they fail to qualify or are exempt from qualification by Army regulations."
I believe you are exempt from qualification and therefore not required/authorized to wear the badge.
Stay safe in Bowling Green and watch out for those sinkholes.
I am not so sure you'd be authorized to wear the marksmanship qualification badge. As I understand the regulation, specifically in paragraph 29-16 b (2), it states "How worn. Marksmanship badges are worn in order of precedence from the wearer’s right, and to the left of any special skill badges that are worn. Normally, all soldiers wear at least one marksmanship badge, unless they fail to qualify or are exempt from qualification by Army regulations."
I believe you are exempt from qualification and therefore not required/authorized to wear the badge.
Stay safe in Bowling Green and watch out for those sinkholes.
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CW3 Harvey K.
The statement in the regs about those soldiers "exempt from qualification by Army regulations" suggests it applies to active (or "non-retired") service members, who for some unspecified reason, are not required to qualify. That, in contrast with the retired service members who are not so much "exempt" from qualification, but rather whose retired status no longer requires them to either fire for qualification nor fall in for a formation.
I once coached a Chaplin through pistol qualification. He told me that the Army left it up to the individual in his category to decide for himself about weapons qualification. I suspect another category would be Medics, but I have no knowledge if that is the case.
I once coached a Chaplin through pistol qualification. He told me that the Army left it up to the individual in his category to decide for himself about weapons qualification. I suspect another category would be Medics, but I have no knowledge if that is the case.
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SSG Richard Daugherty
SSG DAWG I am very proud, of my 20 years of service, I understand, that my "Dress Greens" are out dated, but on special occasions,I still where them, which is cool, that they still fit (I went "Retired Reserve"13 years,ago)I will not "Alter" anything about that Uniform, to include, Badges and Ribbons,I, EARNED, everyone of them.Jus say'n
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MAJ (Join to see)
You are authorized to wear last qualification. AR 670-1 and DA Pam 670. As far as officers are concerned, in the reg it shows officer wearing marksmanship badges. Mine are permanent awards as I have earned Presidents Hundred, Distinguished Pistol, Interservice badge, and bronze rifle EIC. But I always wore my qual badges before I earned the others
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MAJ (Join to see)
As for the SSI badge (now that we are in ASU and not Class A's) they actually make a US Army Retired badge that goes on your uniform
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