As a prior Marine, is it authorized to wear my marksmanship badges in the Air Force?

2d Lt Austin Adams — Tue, 05 May 2020 14:36:59 -0400

Page 46, section 5.2.6.2.5: (AFI36-2903)
(https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/publication/afi36-2903/afi36-2903.pdf)

Wear of other services' qualification badges/patches, if earned and awarded,
is authorized if allowed by the applicable services’ guidance. Award criteria for other
services’ qualification badges will be in accordance with awarding Service’s directives.
Temporary qualification badges are not authorized for wear on the uniform.

I didn't see anything in the MCO regarding the badge not being allowed, but I would love to carry forward my past badges if allowed.

afi36-2903.pdf)

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2020 3:04 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 May 2020 15:04:11 -0400

I do not believe so, sir. In the Air Force, we simply have a ribbon to show marksmanship - over all weapons, not for each weapon marksmanship was earned in. I have never seen any of the prior Marines in my unit wear their marksmanship badges on their Blues. The only cross service badges that I am aware of that are authorized are specialty badges: jump wings, pathfinder, pilot wings, etc.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made May 6 at 2020 10:10 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Wed, 06 May 2020 10:10:05 -0400

Per the AF pub you referenced it states you are allowed. The last sentence is the most important part.
It states you are allowed to wear qualification badges from other branches as long as it is in compliance with 10.5 and 10.5 states you can't wear more than 4.

5.1.2.2.1. Chaplain, Aeronautical, Space, Cyberspace, Missile Operations,
Occupational and Qualification Badges and Graduate Patches. No more than a
combined total of three chaplain, aeronautical, space, cyberspace, missile operations,
occupational, or qualification badges and/or graduate patches will be worn on the
wearer‘s left. If worn, ABU cloth badges will be worn. Airmen may wear the badges
of other military services while permanently assigned to units that perform duties
with another military service. Airmen may also continue to wear earned, permanently
awarded Air Force and other services’ qualification badges that meet the criteria in
paragraph 10.5, regardless of duty assignment.

Response by SPC Herold Bush made May 8 at 2020 12:12 PM

SPC Herold Bush — Fri, 08 May 2020 12:12:07 -0400

I was under the impression that , a marksmanship badge was based off of the score on your most recent qualification. So, ie to maintain an Expert Marksmanship badge one would have to qualify annually at that level. Wouldn't that mean when your current annual qualification is up that you would either need to requalify to continue wearing the award or stop wearing it? And since you would be in the Air Force you could not longer meet the same qualification standards for that award?

Response by SSgt Paul Mulwitz made Aug 11 at 2022 3:48 AM

SSgt Paul Mulwitz — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 03:48:27 -0400

The various services differ in the extent of their dress uniforms. The Marine Corps has the most extensive uniforms. The Army is close behind. Then comes the Navy. The Air Force has much simpler looking uniforms -- almost approaching civilian clothing. With this tradition in mind I think most Air Force people would consider marksmanship badges to be gaudy. I suspect most Air Force people would consider a member wearing a marksmanship badge to be a little bit strange.