What are your thoughts on the new Instructor's Badge?

When I heard about the instructor badge I got my hopes up. They were quickly brought back down when I found out it was only for NCOES instructors. I don't want to take anything away from a fellow NCO, and I certainly don't know what being an NCOES instructor is really all about, but I'm currently an AIT instructor and know what that's about. I would love to see AIT instructors get the badge, as well as any Soldier for which the principal duty title is Instructor.

I'll let you know when PCS to my TRADOC unit.  To be continued...

This is sad.  More badges won't improve our Army.  If you just have to have some bling, join the USAF and get some MOS related flair.  We need more badges like we need a hole in our heads.

The Instructor Badge currently does not apply to AIT Instructors but that does not mean that it will not in the future. NCOES is often used as a "Test Bed' for new programs in the Army and this is not any different. Additionally the thought process behind this is geared toward NCOES due to the level of education being provided and  ALM 2015 and the NCO 2020 concept guided by the NCO Professional Development Office at TRADOC. The ultimate goal is for SGL's to be "Educators" and not an "Instructor". Once awarded the Instructor Badge your duties as an educator never stop. The intention is that we can use the subject matter experts in education to facilitate training across the Army. There is more information on the TRADOC site that provides more guidance.

Why do we need another badge? Seriously. It's already on your ERB. Those that need to know already have access to that.  Certainly most NCOs understand that selection to teach at NCOES schools is not ALWAYS based upon who you are but the interpersonal relationships you have forged. There are already too many...Every badge the Army adds from here just cheapens the uniform. 

It should apply to all that have been awarded the 8 identifier regardless of whether it was NCOES or not. There is so much planning that goes into being a certified instructor that they should be singled out.

If everyone is special, then nobody is. If everybody gets a badge, then badges mean less to those who earn them.  The same can be said for awards.

Rather than piecemeal efforts to add a badge/award for one group, it makes more sense to look at them across the spectrum and identify which groups deserve recognition above all others. 

These are decisions that effect traditions and careers, and should not be taken lightly.