What are your thoughts on the implementation of Instructors being allowed to wear the new Instructor badge?

2014-01-17T20:06:44-05:00

Starting February 2014, TRADOC has approved the wear of the new Instructor badge, Senior Instructor badge and Master Instructor badge.

Response by Lt Col Luis A. Rojas made Jan 17 at 2014 8:21 PM

2014-01-17T20:21:37-05:00

The Air Force has an Instructor and Master Instructor badge.

Response by Lt Col Luis A. Rojas made Jan 17 at 2014 8:42 PM

2014-01-17T20:42:25-05:00

<p>Here's what the Air Force Instructor badge looks like:</p><p> </p><p>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:US_Air_Force_Air_Education_and_Training_Command_Master_Instructor_Badge.png</p><div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-picture"><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f8/Wiktionary-logo-en.svg/37px-Wiktionary-logo-en.svg.png"></div><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File" target="_blank">File - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="pta-box-hide"><i class="icon-remove"></i></div></div>

Response by MSG William Cunningham made Jan 17 at 2014 8:45 PM

2014-01-17T20:45:18-05:00

Last I heard, it was only going to be for instructors in the NCO Academies.  Sounds good in theory.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jan 18 at 2014 7:35 PM

2014-01-18T19:35:25-05:00

I'll be very happy when eligibility is expanded to instructors outside of NCOES schools..

Response by SSG Daniel Deiler made Jan 18 at 2014 7:40 PM

2014-01-18T19:40:01-05:00

When I was an AIT Instructor we had Instructor badges. It was just a cheap piece of plastic with the Logistics Training Department's DUI and the word Instructor as well as the MOS we instructed inscribed onto it. I think it's a great idea. Recruiters and Drill Sergeants get it. So should Instructors and AIT Platoon Sergeants. The Instructor/AIT Platoon Sergeant is NO different than the duties and responsibilities of a Drill Sergeant. I have a sneaking suspicion that's why it was approved. 

Response by MSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2014 11:17 PM

2014-02-27T23:17:27-05:00

SFC Minarik, I agree, fair is fair... however, I do not personally think that a badge is warranted in either case.  The problem that I have is where to draw the line.... if certification as an NCOES instructor is deserving of a badge what about unit armorer?  Tough course, often demands extra hours of work, not everyone does it... why not give them a badge?  Or how about resiliency trainers?  Or staff NCO's that have attended training courses for that position?  Or any of the other hundreds of positions within the Army that require NCO's and Soldiers to serve outside the normal purview of their MOS?  I'm not downplaying the importance of your role in training Soldiers by any means, and I know that it is a tough role to fill indeed, so please do not take it that way at all.  I don't really feel that recruiters "need" a badge to recognize what they do, personally (and I am a 79R).  It's just my duty to fulfill for the Army, whether I have a fancy chest ornament or not.

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2014 12:05 AM

2014-02-28T00:05:57-05:00

We need more badges like we need another hole in our heads.  If you need a badge to feel good about yourself or justify your service, join the USAF and just get one for your MOS.<br>

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2014 12:17 AM

2014-02-28T00:17:30-05:00

Here at DLIFLC, we have both AIT Platoon Sergeants.  The Platoon Sergeants don't earn any type of badge, but the Military Language Instructors have an opportunity to earn the Military Language Instructor (MLI) Badge, which corresponds to the qualifications of the MLI.  There is a basic badge, senior instructor badge, and master instructor badge.  The badge is only authorized for wear at DLI.  I do feel like the AIT Platoon Sergeants should have a badge, but I also feel that it should be a temporary uniform item while assigned to the TRADOC location and filling the appropriate billet.  I don't really care to have more 'bling' on my uniform, but the MLI badges do indicate who has successfully completed instructor certification, met the required teaching hours, maintains their language scores, and is recommended by their command.

Response by SFC Michael Boulanger made Mar 14 at 2014 8:52 PM

2014-03-14T20:52:00-04:00

Is the badge only for current NCOES Instructors, or is it for former NCOES Instructors as well?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2014 8:53 PM

2014-04-10T20:53:48-04:00

SFC Minarik,<br><br>I am an AIT Instructor at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and had a very nice conversation with my SGM at the Transportation School stating that the badge will be Army wide for all instructors. Just be patient and the change will happen. Know that this MILPER Message caused a huge uproar from instructors across the Army as a whole. The intent was to have only NCOES instructors able to be recognized with this as a pilot program but it did not get too far because of the outcry to recognize all instructors. I will post more information as I get it and hope this helps to clear up some fuzzy information for you.<br>

Response by SSG Kevin McCulley made Apr 30 at 2014 3:42 PM

2014-04-30T15:42:21-04:00

It is complete BS because AIT instructors aren't seen as instructors. We were even asked to review the design of the badge like two years ago. When they came out and said it is for NCOES only, it was a slap in the face.

Response by SFC Siva Williams made Aug 18 at 2014 9:20 PM

2014-08-18T21:20:48-04:00

I taught at the AMEDD NCO Academy for three years (98-01). We were SGLs and used small group methodology. The other instructors on Fort Sam team taught. I had 10+ hours of contact time with my small group. I was their only instructor until they went to another phase or graduated. The AIT instructors might teach 3 to 4 classes a week while we taught everything. The Drills and the AIT instructors didn't have nearly the contact time that we did. Our positions were recognizes as the most challenging instructor slots in the AMEDD. We couldn't get AIT instructors to come over because "we worked to hard". I don't have a problem with a badge for NCOES SGLs. They are a cut above the rest.

Response by SSG(P) Matthew Bisbee made Dec 10 at 2014 12:21 AM

2014-12-10T00:21:35-05:00

I can see the instructors badge listed as an identification badge worn while in the instructor position much like the career counselor badge was a temporary badge worn while I was a retention NCO.

Response by SSG Kevin McCulley made Dec 10 at 2014 7:24 PM

2014-12-10T19:24:18-05:00

First off, the way it was introduced was horrible and already made it as prestigious as a recruiting or retention cornet. WE have too much crap on our uniforms as it is and we don't need any more shiny.

Second, as someone who has been a joint service AIT/A School/Tech School instructor, the way this was issued is a slap in the face to all of us, especially when we were asked to vote on the design.

Third, if you want to attract more people to these billets, fire all the senior NCOs and officers in tradoc and bring in new blood. I know from my tour, NCOs in the trenches are treated like shit, can have their careers destroyed on a trainee's whim, and are treated as seasonable labor by the civilian staff.. why WOULDN'T anyone want to sign up for that?

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Aug 3 at 2019 9:12 AM

2019-08-03T09:12:13-04:00

Why not? If it’s authorized by AR 670-1 own it!. Wear It!