AMarksmanship Ribbon device is primarily a miniature metal rifle, pistol, target,service star, or letter E or S which may be worn if authorized on aMarksmanship Ribbon awarded to members of theUnited States Coast Guard,United States Air Force, andUnited States Navy.
Air Force
editThe Air Force use a bronze service star on top of their marksmanship ribbon to represent a qualification of expert in an additional weapon other than the one that originally earned the Airman the qualification ribbon. The Air Force's Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, as it is known, is awarded to those who qualify as expert with either the service rifle or service pistol.[1]
Navy and Coast Guard
editThe Navy and Coast Guard present two marksmanship ribbon devices for scoring as a Sharpshooter or Expert on a pistol and rifle qualification course:the bronzeS device and silverE device for the Navy and silverS andE devices for the Coast Guard. The Air Force uses a3⁄16" bronze star to indicate expert qualification in both rifle and pistol. The Coast Guard also has additional ribbon devices which represent accomplishments inCivilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) sanctioned competitions.[2][3][4][5][6]
The Expert Marksmanship device should not be confused with theBattle E Device.[2][3][7] The Navy and Coast Guard Expert Marksmanship device is worn on the Marksmanship Ribbon in lieu of the full sizedMarksmanship Medal. When wearing the Marksmanship Medal, the Marksmanship Ribbon with the Expert device is not worn.[2][3] For a period of time, theE Device was bronze until three consecutive expert qualifications were achieved, then the device would change to silver with a permanent award status.[8]
Coast Guardsman who have been awarded the bronze or silverCoast Guard Excellence-in-Competition (EIC) Pistol Shot or Rifleman Badge can wear a bronze or silver miniature replica of theM1911 orM14 attached to the U.S. Coast Guard Pistol or Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon, respectively, in lieu of wearing the EIC badge(s). Likewise, Coast Guardsman who have been awarded theCoast Guard Distinguished Pistol Shot or Marksman Badge can place a small gold metal replica of a pistol or rifle target, respectively, on the appropriate marksmanship ribbon vice having to wear the distinguished badge(s) on their dress uniforms.[4][7][9]
From 1942 to 1960, the Navy awarded uniqueDistinguished Marksmanship Ribbons vs. devices for their existing marksmanship ribbons. Today, onlyDistinguished Marksmanship Badges are authorized for wear on Navy uniforms.[2][10]
National Guard
edit
SomeState National Guard organizations also award marksmanship ribbons to their top shooters. In theMissouri National Guard, the top twelve guardsmen selected to represent their state at theWinston P. Wilson Rifle and Pistol Championships are awarded aGovernor's Twelve Ribbon. Any guardsman who earns the award more than once wear a bronze or silver Hawthorn Cluster device(s) on top of the ribbon. A bronze Hawthorn Cluster notes the award of a second and succeeding awards, while a silver Hawthorn Cluster is worn in lieu of five bronze Hawthorn Clusters.[11][12]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^Small Arms Expert Marksmanship RibbonArchived 2017-02-28 at theWayback Machine, Air Force Personnel Center, dated 5 August 2010, last accessed 27 February 2017
- ^abcdU.S. Navy Uniform Regulations, Chapter 5Archived 2014-11-27 at theWayback Machine, Department of the Navy, last accessed 12 July 2015
- ^abcU.S. Coast Guard Medals and Awards Manual COMDTINST M1650.25E,Department of Homeland Security, dated May 2008, last accessed 12 July 2015
- ^abU.S. Coast Guard Uniform Regulations COMDTINST M1020.6JArchived 2018-09-10 at theWayback Machine, Department of Homeland Security, dated 2 August 2018, last accessed 10 September 2018
- ^U.S. Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2803, The Air Force Awards and Decorations ProgramArchived 2018-01-27 at theWayback Machine, Department of the Air Force, dated 25 June 2015, last accessed 12 July 2015
- ^Air Force Personnel Center, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship RibbonArchived 2011-09-14 at theWayback Machine, Air Force Personnel Center, dated 5 August 2010, last accessed 12 July 2015
- ^abU.S. Coast Guard Ribbons & Devices chart, dated 12 July 2015
- ^Navy Expert Pistol Medal, MilitaryVetsPX.com, last accessed 7 April 2013
- ^U.S. Coast Guard Competitive Marksmanship Program, COMDTINST 3590.1A, Department of Homeland Security, dated 23 April 2013, last accessed 10 September 2018
- ^A Short History of the Distinguished Shooter ProgramArchived 2012-09-15 at theWayback Machine, by Hap Rocketto, dated 28 September 2010, last accessed 18 February 2013
- ^Tabs and Badges a Measure of MarksmanshipArchived 2014-05-18 at theWayback Machine, Missouri National Guard, dated 14 December 2010, last accessed 2 December 2014
- ^National Guard Devices, by Eric Bush, last accessed 2 December 2014