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.
The Air Force uses 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]
The 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]
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]
| Decorations | |
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| Unit awards | |
| Service medals | |
| Service ribbons | |
| Personal decorations | |
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| Unit awards | |
| Good Conduct medals | |
| Expeditionary medals | |
| Service ribbon awards |
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| Marksmanship | |
