§ 578.68 - Badges and tabs; general.

(a) Purpose. The purpose of awarding badges is to provide for public recognition by tangible evidence of the attainment of a high degree of skill, proficiency, and excellence in tests and competition, as well as in the performance of duties. Awards of badges promote esprit de corps, and provide an incentive to greater effort, thus becoming instrumental in building and maintaining morale. Types of badges authorized to be awarded as hereinafter prescribed, are combat and special skill badges, marksmanship qualification badges, identification badges and tabs.

(b) Recommendations and approval authority. (1) Recommendations for awards of badges will be submitted by memorandum or DA Form 4187 through command channels to the commander authorized to make the award.

(2) Badges may be approved and awarded in the field only by the commanders authorized to award the respective badge.

(3) Award of badges to Active Army personnel which cannot be resolved by local commanders will be forwarded through command channels to HQ, USA HRC, (see address § 578.3(c)).

(c) Posthumous awards. When an individual who has qualified for a badge dies before the award is made, the badge may be presented to the next of kin.

(d) Retroactive awards. Retroactive awards of the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Combat Medical Badge may be made to fully qualified individuals. Such awards will not be made except where evidence of injustice is presented. Active duty soldiers will forward their applications through command channels to HQ, AHRC, (see address § 578.3(c)). Reserve Component soldiers should address their application to Commander, USA HRC-St. Louis, One Reserve Way, St. Louis, MO 63132-5200. Retirees and veterans should address their application to the NPRC (see § 578.16(a)(3) for address).

(e) Announcement of awards. Permanent awards of badges, except basic marksmanship qualification badges, identification badges, and the Physical Fitness Badge, will be announced in Permanent Orders by commanders authorized to make the award or Permanent Orders of HQDA.

(f) Presentation of awards. Whenever practical, badges will be presented to military personnel in a formal ceremony. Presentations should be made as promptly as practical following announcement of awards, and when possible, in the presence of the troops with whom the recipients were serving at the time of the qualification.

(g) Supply of badges. (1) Badges listed below are issued by the DA.

(i) Combat and special skill badges;

(ii) Basic Marksmanship Designation Badges;

(iii) Distinguished marksmanship designation badges;

(iv) Excellence in competition badges;

(v) Basic marksmanship qualification badges and bars;

(vi) Army Staff Identification Badge;

(vii) The Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Identification Badge (an item of organizational equipment);

(viii) Army ROTC Nurse Cadet Program Identification Badge;

(ix) Drill Sergeant Identification Badge;

(x) U.S. Army Recruiter Identification Badge;

(xi) Career Counselor Badge;

(xii) Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Identification Badge;

(xiii) U.S. Army Reserve Recruiter Identification Badge.

(2) Items not issued or sold by the DA:

(i) Identification badges, except as provided in paragraph (g)(1) of this section;

(ii) Lapel buttons for badges;

(iii) Certificates for badges;

(iv) Foreign badges;

(v) Miniature Combat Infantryman, Expert Infantryman, Combat Medical, Expert Field Medical, and Aviation badges;

(vi) Dress miniature badges. (Miniatures may be purchased from dealers in military insignia.)

(h) Requisition. Combat and special skill badges, basic marksmanship qualification badges, and authorized bars, may be requisitioned by commanders through normal channels. Requisitions will contain a statement that issue is to be made to authorized personnel. Commanders authorized to make the award may requisition bulk delivery of badges to meet needs for 60 days. Care should be taken that excessive stocks are not requisitioned. Initial issue or replacement for a badge lost, destroyed, or rendered unfit for use without fault or neglect on the part of the person to whom it was awarded, will be made upon application, without charge to military personnel on active duty and at stock fund standard price to all others.

(i) Character of service. A badge will not be awarded to any person who, subsequent to qualification therefore, has been dismissed, dishonorably discharged, or convicted of desertion by court-martial.

(j) Special guidance. (1) Effective September 30, 1986, local established special skill badges are no longer authorized for wear. Authority for major commanders to approve local badges is rescinded.

(2) The wear of badges issued by other Services is governed by AR 670-1. Those cases that cannot be resolved should be forwarded to Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1, ATTN: DAPE-HR-S, 300 Army Pentagon, Washington, DC 20310-0300.

(3) Authority must be obtained from HQ, USA HRC (AHRC-PDO-PA) before wearing on the Army uniform badges awarded by other U.S. Services and the Director of Civilian Marksmanship.

(k) To whom awarded. (1) The Combat Infantryman Badge may be awarded only to members of the U.S. Army.

(2) The Combat Medical Badge may be awarded only to members of the U.S. Army, Navy, or Air Force.

(3) Awards of U.S. Army badges to foreign military personnel will be made only with the prior consent of his or her Government and upon completion of the full requirements established for each badge. Foreign military personnel may also qualify for Army badges while attending U.S. Army service schools or while participating in combined or joint operations.

(4) All other special skill badges may be earned by U.S. military personnel who qualify while performing honorable active duty or Reserve service in an active status or while formally assigned or attached to the U.S. Army.

(5) In certain cases, civilian personnel may be awarded special skill badges provided specific criteria are met. Requests or recommendations for award of special skill badges to civilians should be directed to designated approval authorities or Commander, USA HRC (see § 578.3 (c) for address).

(6) Table 9 below lists the U.S. Army combat and special skill badges authorized and who is authorized to be awarded each badge.

Table 9.—U.S. Army Badges and TabsOrder of precedence may be awarded to:Members of other servicesDepartment of the army civiliansForeign military personnelCombat Infantryman BadgeYESNOYESCombat Medical BadgeYESNONOCombat Action BadgeYESNOYESExpert Infantryman BadgeNONONOExpert Field Medical BadgeYESYESYESParachutist BadgesYESYESYESParachute Rigger BadgeYESYESYESMilitary Free-Fall Parachutist BadgeNONONOArmy Aviator BadgeYESYESYESAstronaut DeviceYESYESYESFlight Surgeon BadgeYESYESYESDivers BadgesYESYESYESSpecial Operations Diver BadgeYESNONOExplosive Ordnance Disposal BadgesYESYESYESPathfinder BadgeYESYESYESAir Assault BadgeYESYESYESAviation BadgeYESYESYESDriver & Mechanic BadgeYESYESYESRanger TabYESYESYESSpecial Forces TabYESYESYESSapper TabYESYESYESNotes:1. Badges authorized to foreign military personnel will be made only after obtaining prior consent from his or her Government and after completion of the full requirements established for each badge.2. DA civilians must complete full requirements for the respective badge before it is awarded.