Does the Army have too many Badges and Tabs?

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 19:46:12 -0500

Some have criticized the Army as having too much "flair" on their uniforms. Other people are upset that certain schools don't constitute a badge or tab. What are your opinions on this? For example why is there no SNIPER or RECON tab? Or why would there be Rigger or EOD badges when they simply signify MOS?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2013 8:07 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 20:07:46 -0500

I get to wear my CBRN patch! haha...but who cares? People who have their badges earned it. People who completed the courses without badges got their 1059. As long as everyone is doing their job, then no need to change anything. I think seeing all that chest candy motivates everyone. It motivates me and hope to get an opportunity, someday.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Nov 7 at 2013 8:48 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 20:48:48 -0500

I've always felt it was a numbers thing. A lot of the badge/tab producing schools and MOS's tend to be difficult or in high demand, so chest candy was just another way to recruit or motivate people to head toward these areas.

Response by SSG Earl Corp made Nov 11 at 2013 8:36 PM

SSG Earl Corp — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 20:36:33 -0500

As an infantryman it was motivating to be with people who cared enough to excel and earn these badges. I think chest candy is a very disrespectful term for awards such as the EIB or the CFMB. Wings are qualification badges, and are by no means " flair" other services have badges ie submariners and SEALS. I do think every mos having their own badges does tarnish the elite ness of the ones already in existence

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2014 11:54 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 23:54:18 -0500

I believe badges are awarded for Rigger and such courses to not only help build individual pride and moral but also as a way to display expertise. EOD, like Airborne badges, show levels of proficiency - Basic, Senior, and Master.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2014 10:13 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Mar 2014 22:13:53 -0500

So this topic piqued my interest because I am a Rigger, and my dad was EOD.  Where the EOD Badge has basic, senior, and master, Rigger only has one level in the Army.  There are FAA Senior/Master Levels but no badge to represent them. They don't simply just represent an MOS, they represent a skill not easily acquired, and a skill that must be maintained. We Riggers go beyond Airborne as a lifestyle, we save lives every time a paratrooper exits the door/ramp/skid/basket, we maintain life with every airdrop resupply we provide.  There is a very very very small failure rate and EVERYBODY and their commander gets to see it plastered everywhere. So in the Airborne community we are very high profile individuals. EOD, no different, takes a lot to walk up to an unknown piece of ordinance and figure out how to get the ticking to stop (in a manner of speaking), keeping convoys rolling safely and patrolling soldiers breathing with both legs intact.  Badges and Tabs are for those who go BEYOND the norm, beyond mediocrity, beyond their fears and achieve levels others could not. Just my shake on it.

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2014 11:15 PM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Mar 2014 23:15:01 -0500

It isn't about bling.  Some of the Army's most impressive schools don't award a badge.  If you're here for the flair, join the USAF and get some for your MOS.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2014 7:59 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Mar 2014 19:59:00 -0400

I'm in the Army Watercraft field, it's a very small MOS and every now and again people talk about how there should be a "waterborne" tab.

I don't agree on a tab but a badge seems ok to me, and I can tell you that when I re-classed into the waterborne field it was the first time in the army that the testing for the classes weren't open book. there is a lot of information to retain in-order to get the MOS. And we have to go back to school for 20/30/40 skill levels unlike most every MOS in the Army.

But considering its a transportation MOS I don't ever see there being a tab or badge for it.

Response by CSM Richard Montcalm made Mar 16 at 2014 4:33 PM

CSM Richard Montcalm — Sun, 16 Mar 2014 16:33:54 -0400

The Rigger Wings and EOD badge simply denote someone with a critical skill in a limited application area.

Qualification badges, special skills tabs, and badges are there 'pour le encourager de les autres'.

The CIB came into being in WWII to recognize the sacrifice of the Infantry- a brutal MOS in those days, considering that there were more men lost on D-Day than in 13 years of OIF and OEF...

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2014 5:26 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 17:26:29 -0400

Why not a tab or badge for speacilties such as SRT or PSD if you are an MP and are qualified in these Special skills. The MP is a Corps of its own and SRT and PSD are no small tasks to accomplish. Not everyone is cut out to be SRT (Hostage Rescue) or willing to take a bullet for some guy just becasue of thier position or a couple of stars.(PSD)

Response by SSG Rodney Farrar made Mar 25 at 2014 1:37 AM

SSG Rodney Farrar — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 01:37:17 -0400

I think that every branch of the army should be able to wear
the correctly associated cord and insignia backings just the same as the
infantry.  If you look at the history of
these devices the infantry was the only one that retained the ability to wear
them but they use to be worn by all branches.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2014 7:12 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 May 2014 19:12:38 -0400

Earning the EFMB when I was a PFC meant more to me than finishing ABN, AAS, the flight surgeon course, and the military mountaineering schools put together. I am honored to have meet that standard, and I hope that wearing it will motivate others. I am sure others will feel similarly about one badge or another. The hard boys will say they mean nothing and look like boasting. The truth is that there are some amazing soldiers, sailers, airmen, and marines whose units will not be able to send their troops to specialty school due to mission or money concerns. My hope is that we foster the motivation to attend schools and not minimize the pride of earning badges.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2014 2:01 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 14:01:20 -0400

Another unwritten purpose of the EOD badge and EOD brassard besides denoting a special skill set is identifying the subject matter expert in the midst of a chaotic post blast or IED scene. An on scene commander or law enforcement official wants the expert input on the situation from those who have the best knowledge. That commander or official must be able to differentiate between the SME and the guy driving the truck who saw Bruce Willis do that thing in that movie to that bomb device. Just my humble input and perspective.

Response by SSG Genaro Negrete made Jul 21 at 2014 2:42 PM

SSG Genaro Negrete — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 14:42:42 -0400

I did the basic mountaineering course in Alaska. The hot topic among the instructors was the implementation of the Mountain Tab as a skill tab, not a unit identifying tab. A few NG units on the north east coast have the rams head badge for completing the same POI. Yet that badge is only allowed in about 3 states.

If we made a badge/tab for every school the army offers, we'd run out of space on our uniforms. The Jungle Expert tab is already as long, if not longer, than the SF Tab. Alaska units issue an Arctic Tab. Ultimately, we would end up diluting the whole idea of badges and tabs.

It may even be a political mess to try to lobby for changes. A lot of what we wear is seeped in history. It would have to be a huge shift in overall opinion to add or modify badges and tabs.

Response by SFC Stephen Carden made Jul 22 at 2014 9:45 AM

SFC Stephen Carden — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 09:45:34 -0400

I had a Soldier who, while in Afghanistan, grew tired of Green Berets telling him that his opinion didn't count because he didn't have a "long tab". So, this guy goes down to the tailor shop while at Bagram, and has a custom "Military Information Support Operations" tab made up. The thing was so long that it almost curved into a full circle. He took the tab back to his VSP and began wearing it around just to tick off the SF guys. We all thought it was hilarious, but I did have to tell him to take it off when he came in from the field since it was unauthorized. Still awesome though. Much longer than a Special Forces tab.:-)

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2014 9:58 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 21:58:20 -0400

To be honest we are adding far too many badges and patches. I read about how NCOES instructors are going to get their own badge. Where are some going to put it. I recall being in awe when I simply saw a CIB and wings. Now we have more and more patches and badges. A jungle tab? Maybe a bit much.

A while ago I saw a soldier with a CBRN patch. I asked them as I didn't know what it meant. After learning what it meant I asked what was going on in the area. They looked stunned. I asked them why would you wear a patch to identify yourself when not in the official capacity of performing the duties. They didn't have an answer. I see the MP patch in the same like. Why not just make a branch insignia to go with their rank like the navy. It would make more sense.

Response by SSG Robert Pierce made Aug 4 at 2014 9:01 PM

SSG Robert Pierce — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 21:01:54 -0400

I think that Small Group Leaders should be authorized to wear a Instructor badge.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2014 12:01 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 00:01:08 -0400

"And then I told him..."

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 19 at 2014 3:29 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 15:29:49 -0500

New school badass!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 19 at 2014 5:24 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 17:24:26 -0500

I've always been under the impression that clothes don't make the man. I've known great Soldiers that lacked high speed schools (airborne, air assault, sapper etc.). And seen douchebags with almost every school you can get a badge for. I have a CAB and Air Assault wings and don't wear them that much. I know where I've been and what I've done.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 20 at 2014 4:30 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 16:30:50 -0500

Response by COL Timothy S. made Nov 21 at 2014 12:00 PM

COL Timothy S. — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 12:00:20 -0500

I believe the skill badges are fine. Riggers and EOD are not only badges that represent an MOS, the represent mastery of two very difficult skill sets which deal with the very real consequences of death if not done correctly. My chief concern is the seemingly subjective application of certain combat related badges. Case and point: While leading a convoy in Iraq, we were slowing to approach a FOB ECP. My vehicle and the ond behind me came under fire from a shoulder fired SA-7 anti-aircraft missile which passed behind my vehicle and in front of the vehicle behind me, impacted and embedded itself in a sandy berm but failed to detonate. My vehicle took up a n over watch position while the rest of the convoy entered the FOB, but never identified any hostile targets. We applied for but were disapproved for th ed CAB.

Meanwhile, a Blackhawk helicopter on a "taxi" run notices an IED being emplaced, and the crewman engages the targets managing only to scatter the group without taking any return fire. The crew and all those who happened to be on board a passengers apply for and are awarded the CAB.

This is the kind of stuff that renders badges worthless.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2014 1:40 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 13:40:13 -0500

I do not believe there are too many badges or awards and that Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guard, Reserve and Natl Guard, as long as they are worn correctly and with Honor. If someone is wearing 1 badge or award that they did NOT earn, then even one is too many.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Dec 5 at 2014 9:51 AM

Capt Richard I P. — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 09:51:26 -0500

Yes. Too many bangles and badges and ribbons and stripes and flair.

Response by SSG(P) Matthew Bisbee made Dec 17 at 2014 7:42 PM

SSG(P) Matthew Bisbee — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 19:42:52 -0500

I think we are getting too badge/medal happy. I have stated before in other discussions that when a PFC with 2 years in service and one deployment has more medals, ribbons, and badges than General of the Army D. Eisenhower, something is wrong. I can understand having MOS or duty specific identification badges that are worn while in that duty assignment (career counselor, instructor, C-JCS, MP badge). But it becomes rather confusing to run into soldiers that have been awarded the instructor badge that then go on top take additional NCOES courses...who is the instructor?

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Apr 9 at 2015 1:33 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 01:33:25 -0400

I'm proud of my "never earned a tab" Tab.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 6:41 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 18:41:23 -0500

I do not agree with MOS defining badges. Saying EOD or a Rigger badge is to identify a SME is saying that all the other MOS' do not require special training and qualification. All MOS' require special training and education. Do we really need to know who is a pilot, or flight surgeon by their uniforms? Most of these MOS' that have special badges already have special other uniform items. Riggers have red hats, EOD have 1 unit patch and a brassard, flight personnel have flight uniforms. Having an extra badge to define the MOS is redundant and creates ideas that some MOS' are "harder" than others.

Sapper, Ranger, SF, and President's Hundred tabs are special qualifications, not MOS defining. Every year there is talk of new headgear for this job, or a tab for this MOS, or this badge. Most of us saw the ridiculousness that came from the CAB. Originally the CCB for the other formally known as Combat Arms jobs that engaged/were engaged by the enemy. But then they had to make it fair to the Combat Support and Combat Service Support.

Special badges should be for specially acquired skills, not something trained in AIT/OSUT. Jumpmaster does not get its own badge, but it is a requirement for the senior and master parachutist badges, the Fister does not need their own badge, even though they are nowhere close to the gunline compared to the rest of the CMF.

I feel that there is too much separation between the MOS' and too many special identifiers for "unspecial" jobs. The Infantry does not need blue cord and discs, Riggers don't need a badge, CBRN does not need a brassard unless there is a threat of attack. Are 88M's and 12N's automatically awarded their Drivers Badges?

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2018 1:07 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 May 2018 13:07:21 -0400

The Army uniform looks like a lighted Christmas tree! I'm biased having moved from the Marine Corps to the Army, but all the junk on the Army uniform is embarrassing. If they'd limit what can be worn, what is worn would have real meaning.