Marksmanship Badge (United States)

Marksmanship Badge (United States)

A Marksmanship Badge is a military badge of the United States Armed Forces or a U.S. Civilian badge which is presented to personnel upon successful completion of a weapons qualification course (known as Marksmanship Qualification Badges) or high placement in an official marksmanship competition (known as Marksmanship Competition Badges). The U.S. Military's and Civilian Marksmanship Program's (CMP) Marksmanship Qualification Badges are issued in the three grades: Expert, Sharpshooter, and Marksman while their Marksmanship Competition Badges are awarded in gold, silver, and bronze or just silver and bronze (service dependent). The National Rifle Association's (NRA) Marksmanship Qualification Badges are issued in six grades Pro-Marksman, Marksman, Marksman First-Class, Sharpshooter, Expert, and Distinguished Expert. The NRA's Marksmanship Competition Badges are only awarded at one level (gold) with the exception of their Law Enforcement Distinguished Program which awards a silver Excellence-in-Competition Badge as well as gold Distinguished Pistol Badges. The United States Army issues Marksmanship Qualification Badges for a variety of weapons while the United States Marine Corps only issues Marksmanship Qualification Badges for rifle and pistol, and the NRA for rifle, shotgun, and pistol.

The Army and Marine Corps are the only military services that issue Marksmanship Qualification Badges (non-competition qualification). However, Marksmanship Medals and/or Marksmanship Ribbons are issued by the United States Navy, United States Coast Guard, and United States Air Force for weapons qualifications. All of the U.S. Armed Forces awarded Marksmanship Competition Badges to service members who succeed in official competitions.