Posted on Dec 2, 2017
I qualified for the Bronze Excellence in Competition Pistol badge. As an officer should I wear this distinctive badge?
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The Excellence in Competition is a program that is not advertised enough. It's sponsored by the Army Marksmanship Unit but every branch has a program. It's tied into the CMP and related to national recognition for pistol and rifle marksmanship. I just qualified for the Bronze EIC Pistol badge and I'm thinking of bucking the system and wearing the distinctive badge on my blues IOT generate awareness. Thoughts?
Pistol Shooting
Handguns and Pistols
Dress Uniform
Competitive Shooting
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 31
I wear mine, Major.
I was once 'advised' about what appears to be a recently invented 'tradition' or 'custom' for Army officers to be presumed experts, and not to wear their marksmanship qualification.
As a prior service Marine, I continued the tradition of the Corps, wearing my EIC medals in the absence of any regulation forbidding it.
I was once 'advised' about what appears to be a recently invented 'tradition' or 'custom' for Army officers to be presumed experts, and not to wear their marksmanship qualification.
As a prior service Marine, I continued the tradition of the Corps, wearing my EIC medals in the absence of any regulation forbidding it.
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CW3 Harvey K.
MAJ Charles Blake - When I first enlisted (Army), I wore my USMC Expert Rifleman badge for my M-1 qualification. I had heard that it was a permanent award for the now obsolete M-1. I didn't bother to check regs (still haven't), and replaced it with the Army qualification badges, then with EIC badges.
CSM Charles Hayden
CW3 Harvey K. The M-1, Garand has become obsolete? Where did the time go?
CW3 Harvey K.
CSM Charles Hayden - "Yeah, the M-1 is a good weapon. But if you want to know what a real rifle is, you have to fire the Springfield '03." ----- the VERY old-timers, when I was in.
CSM Charles Hayden
CW3 Harvey K. I recall my dad having some 0 3 Clips, 5 rounds ea? w/ live rounds? He also had his leather ‘puttees’ or ? from the OH ARNG Horse Cav days. There was also an nasty smelling gas mask and a Dough Boy’s tin hat
I looked through the regs and there is nothing that says you cannot. I've seen plenty of officers wear the "presidents 100" tab. So, in my much less than expert opinion, I'd say you can wear it. The tradition about officers being experts does not apply here as by earning it you've should you are in the top 1% of all military marksman, well beyond being just an expert. Congratulations.
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