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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?
Army
Uniforms
Badges
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 27
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SP5 Michael Rathbun
Wow, something for the contemporary version of the lot known as "Remington's Raiders". I gotta find me a pewter artist; this could have legs.
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1LT Nick Kidwell
That one's frequently awarded to Staff officers who deployed simply so they could get a right-side patch before retirement and deliberately go places where there's "action" until they rate a CAB.
After that, it's back to the rear with the gear and earning the above-pictured badge.
After that, it's back to the rear with the gear and earning the above-pictured badge.
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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.<br>
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MSgt (Join to see)
Yes the Air Force gets carried away with ribbons. When I switched from the Corps (1 ribbon) to the AF I immediately had Four and I didn't do anything but sign a paper. But the Army is a close second for bling!
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SGM Erik Marquez
CPT (Join to see) - "Very true. Just think the Urinalysis Program Coordinator and your Unit Movement Officer schools don't give out badges."
I understand the Navy recently tasked the Navel Aviation department with designing a badge for Urinalysis Program Coordinator certified folks.. I believe they "drew" a draft version of it recently for public discussion and review.
I understand the Navy recently tasked the Navel Aviation department with designing a badge for Urinalysis Program Coordinator certified folks.. I believe they "drew" a draft version of it recently for public discussion and review.
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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.
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LTC Stephen C.
SSG (Join to see) I was never an Army rigger, but I still have my FAA Senior Parachute Rigger ticket. I watched a skydiver dump a reserve one day that I had packed and ride it down. Skydivers pack their own main chutes, but an FAA rigger packs the reserve. I knew it was my reserve when he dumped, and it was a good feeling watching him ride my reserve safely to the ground! Airborne!
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PV2 Eric Szabo
LOL many of us need this one!!! they should make it an actual badge, seeing how many of us are always on the internet some have mastered the skill of !!!
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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.
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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.:-)
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LTC Paul Labrador
BTW I've found that SF types tend to be the most down-to-earth and humble guys around. Which is why I was surprised.
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SFC Stephen Carden
When I am not being forced down their throats during a tactical mission, the SF guys I know are great guys. When they are told they have to work with us whether they want to or not, some get a little surly. I wouldn't necessarily call most of them humble....
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LTC Paul Labrador
I guess humble can be relative. COmpared to most Rangers I know, operators are humbel.... ;o)
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SGT (Join to see)
I'm currently downrange with Group, and have worked with different ODA's, and some MARSOC and SEAL teams, and while allot of "Team Guys" are somewhat cocky, and some are even arrogant and think they are Gods or something, but that's just a handful. The majority are really cool guys. Extremely knowledgeable and professional. Same as for the MARSOC guys, loved working with them. SEALs on the other hand, not so much....
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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...
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CSM Richard Montcalm
Why shouldn't you count officers in the comparison? You DO realize that just about EVERY Infantry Branch LT graduating from I-BOLC is sent to Ranger School? Enlisted guys have a much harder time getting to Ranger School because the unit pays for the course whereas BIG ARMY pays for officers to go. Half of every Ranger Class is officers- more so in the summer months with ROTC and West Point cadets attending. Even in the Ranger Regiment there is a waiting period to go for enlisted but officers have to be Ranger Qualified to even attempt to get into Regiment. Again apples and pomegranites...The EIB you went must have been either pretty 'casual' or with just a week's train up you must be gifted. Different units have different 'standards' when it comes to the EIB- the 12 mile road march I did for mine was AFTER a jump with full combat equipment on a tank trail at Fort Stewart GA where I got mine in 1978. Then there was only ONE chance to qualify expert on your weapon not multiple chances like there is today. According to the rules when I ran the 1 BDE 101st EIB in 1999, one 1LT shot 21 times to score expert and there was nothing precluding him from it. Is he an "EXPERT?" I think not if it takes that many tries.
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LTC Paul Labrador
I would argue the passing a task oriented test (or even a batttery of tests) that requires absolutely no critical thinking, one time does not an "expert" make. It means you're able to regurgitate. I'd like to see the EIB and EFMB transition more to full scenario based testing where the candidate has to actually think aobut the mission they are given, choose the best tools in his professional toolbox and then successfully exectue the task.
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CSM Richard Montcalm
SFC Trude,
Believe me, I earned all my 'scare' badges and wore them proudly.
Sir, That would make the EIB and EFMB ...Ranger School except it lasts a lot longer.
Ever notice that not much is said if someone bolos the EIB or EFMB (You'll get it NEXT year) but if you go to Ranger School and come back without a Ranger Tab, no how long you were gone, that person is dissected by the NCOs and the chain of command....
Believe me, I earned all my 'scare' badges and wore them proudly.
Sir, That would make the EIB and EFMB ...Ranger School except it lasts a lot longer.
Ever notice that not much is said if someone bolos the EIB or EFMB (You'll get it NEXT year) but if you go to Ranger School and come back without a Ranger Tab, no how long you were gone, that person is dissected by the NCOs and the chain of command....
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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
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SGT Richard H.
1LT(P) Michael Barden Combat Field Medic Badge
http://d2jxk7u2ol2fk7.cloudfront.net/image/thumb/large/COMBAT_MED_OX_QB.jpg
http://d2jxk7u2ol2fk7.cloudfront.net/image/thumb/large/COMBAT_MED_OX_QB.jpg
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SGT Richard H.
1LT(P) Michael Barden I'm not a Medic, and therefore haven't paid alot of attention to the name, so I have no doubt you're right. I knew Medics who had an EFMB, and I've heard it referred to as "CFMB" so I suppose I assumed the name of the Combat equivalent would work the same EIB/CIB....that and I just assumed that you were asking an actual question (I didn't catch the sarcasm)
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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.
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