Should there be a sew on version of the Distinguished marksman/Pistol shot badges?

2014-06-11T14:54:44-04:00

Should there be a sew on version of the Distinguished marksman/Pistol shot badges?
These badges are awarded to those who reach the pinnacle of marksmanship achievement, yet these awards are seldom seen. If worn on the duty uniform, wouldn't this spark interest in further marksmanship training and competition?

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2014 3:00 PM

2014-06-11T15:00:11-04:00

I like that idea

Response by CWO4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2014 3:00 PM

2014-06-11T15:00:21-04:00

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2014 3:13 PM

2014-06-11T15:13:52-04:00

Should we then sow on all awards? I think we should just go all sterile. We are all green and show off what you have in ASUs. Just because you can shoot does not make you a great Soldier and if you do not have wings does not mean you are a bad NCO.

As a CPT once told me as a 2LT student at EOBC, a Ranger tab will only buy you five minutes of respect then it is up to how you act during that time of how you will be treated after.

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Oct 16 at 2014 12:01 PM

2014-10-16T12:01:07-04:00

Why would anyone want to actually single soldiers out like this, you have a badge because you either are good at shooting a pistol or got lucky while at the range, but yet you lack in other areas, so you want to show off one skill and say look at me !!!! I fail to follow this mind set, back when I was on active duty there were no blacks, no whites or any other creed/race you were all cammo, this was done for several reasons, one to abolish racism in the ranks, another was because the Army did not stand for singling soldiers out, it should stay this way, bragging about what special skills you have is not making you a better soldier at any rank. Sewing anything award wise is at the very best just gonna bring animosity and swollen heads to soldiers. Not to mention the hassle of having to take it off when you no longer qualify for that item or does the Army now say you dont have to re-qualify annually to keep a marksmanship badge???

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Nov 10 at 2014 10:52 PM

2014-11-10T22:52:47-05:00

Hey maybe you could make them pin-on badges, and they could be silver, and they could be a mark of distinction for all that sets you apart as a service.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2014 11:03 PM

2014-11-10T23:03:18-05:00

No! From an NCO that has been to the range for qualification on the M4, M9, M240 & 249, AT4, hand grenade and M2 it would just be a wasteful excuse for non combat MOS's to recognize the people who are actually qualified to do the job the signed up for. If you call it an accomplishment to qualify the weapon system you go to the range to shoot, your NCO's suck at one of their major jobs , training the soldiers.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2015 2:30 PM

2015-01-02T14:30:55-05:00

SSG Schneider,

You touch on a derivative subject that we haven't seen much of since the GWOT started...why are we wearing ACUs all of the time when in garrison?

Before I go there, I'll say answer your question - I do not think we should have a separate sew on badge to show a marksmanship proficiency - technically, we all should be qualifying on our weapons. I know that some would say the same about parachutist and other combat skill badges, but I think those are more of the ability to distinguish those who have skills beyond "the basics" we learn in IET.

That said, class Bs on Fridays or something similar for garrisoned units should become the norm again - it's a significant leadership tool for first-line leaders. It allows leaders to conduct inspections on uniforms, class Bs cannot hide guts as ACUs might, and also lets others see those seldom seen badges to generate interest, as you cited above. Friday events (or the old "pay day activities) also allow NCOs to see if their Soldiers are caring for their uniforms while forcing troops to keep things maintained instead of spending clothing allowances on items other than military clothing.

Of course, this is my own personal opinion...it's worth what you paid for it!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2015 9:02 AM

2015-02-24T09:02:19-05:00

I got a CIB so I will be good with that. But this is a horrible idea. You would be creating way too much work for soldiers. Could you imagine having to change it every six months. It is not worth it. We have enough badges on a ACUs. If you want more badges to wear you can always go to the AF.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2015 9:14 AM

2015-02-24T09:14:04-05:00

It looks like there is some confusion about what a distinguished marksmanship badge looks like. The example picture is of the USMC badges but each branch has a similar gold badge for distinguished rifle and pistol marksmanship. No one is getting either of these badges by being lucky. With that being said I think they belong on the dress uniform and not a combat uniform.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2015 1:18 PM

2015-02-24T13:18:48-05:00

No I do not think you should be able to get a sew on badge for Distinguished marksman/Pistol Badge, we already have the President's Hundred Tab to distinguish top shooters. If you want to encourage further marksmanship training I would talk to your CoC in setting up a team together to participate in EIC earning matches in IAW 350-66 Small Arms Competitive Marksmanship Program http://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/pdf/r350_66.pdf

Here is the Rule book for CMP matches, including the President's Hundred Tab course http://thecmp.org/wp-content/uploads/Rulebook.pdf

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2015 1:30 PM

2015-02-24T13:30:59-05:00

There is definitely some confusion as to the what the Excellence In Competition and Distinguished Rifle and Pistol badges are. They fall under the Civilian Marksmanship Program and are awarded to individuals who have earned "leg" points in a designated shooting competition. They are permanent awards and in a sense go hand in hand with the Presidents Hundred tab which is governed under similar rules. Although I don't believe it should be a sew on award , I do believe that itshould be more publicized to service members as all branches can earn these badges and I believe they are service specific

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Feb 24 at 2015 3:17 PM

2015-02-24T15:17:09-05:00

The only shooting award I'm aware of that is worn on field uniforms is the President's 100 tab.

Response by SGT Joseph Schmalzel made Oct 30 at 2015 6:28 PM

2015-10-30T18:28:02-04:00

I absolutely think so. I have been shooting since the age of 4 and found the Army ranges to be rather dull. In basic I qualified no less than 39 everytime I went. The few of us who had expert badges were looked up to as it was a true achievement for that time. I was also expert with grenades.
Achivements that are permanent and distinguished should be worn.
Until I read this thread I never even heard of the award. Shows how ignorant I was as a Troops arms room NCO and master gunner. If I had known about it. I would have chased it.