Marksmanship ribbon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Marksmanship Ribbon |
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U.S. Marksmanship Ribbons
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| Type | Ribbon |
| Eligibility | All ranks |
| Awarded for | Marksmanship |
| Status | Current |
A marksmanship ribbon is a special award. It is given to members of the United States Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. To earn one, a person must pass a special shooting test. They need to get a score that is better than average.
Some state National Guard groups also give marksmanship ribbons. These are for people who do very well in state shooting contests.
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The U.S. Navy has given out two types of marksmanship awards since 1920. One is the Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon. This is for shooting well with a pistol, like the M9 pistol. The other is the Navy Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon. This is for shooting well with a rifle, like the M4 rifle.
The Navy has three levels for these ribbons:
- Marksman: This is the basic level. You get the ribbon for this.
- Sharpshooter: This is a higher level. You get a special pin, called a ribbon device, on your ribbon.
- Expert: This is the highest level. If you reach this, you get a Marksmanship Medal and the ribbon.
The Navy used to have a Distinguished Marksman and Pistol Ribbon. This was given between 1942 and 1951. It was for people who were very skilled with a rifle or pistol.
In 1952, this ribbon was split into two new awards. These were the Distinguished Marksman Ribbon for rifles and the Distinguished Pistol Shot Ribbon for pistols.
Marksmanship Ribbons in the U.S. Air Force and Space Force
The U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force give out one ribbon. It is called the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon. You earn it by being an expert with either a rifle (like the M16 or M4) or a pistol (like the M9 or M17/18).
This ribbon only has one level. However, if you are an expert with both a rifle and a pistol, you can wear a small bronze star on your ribbon. This ribbon was first approved in 1962. It was given to members who qualified after January 1, 1963. Before this ribbon, Air Force members got a certificate for their shooting skills.
Marksmanship Ribbons in the U.S. Coast Guard
The U.S. Coast Guard gives out marksmanship ribbons much like the U.S. Navy. However, Coast Guardsmen use a different pistol, the .40 cal SIG P229R DAK.
The Coast Guard has two ribbons:
- The Coast Guard Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon
- The Coast Guard Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon
Like the Navy, if you reach Sharpshooter or Expert level, you get a special ribbon device. If you are an Expert, you receive the Marksmanship Medal instead of just the ribbon.
Marksmanship Ribbons in the U.S. National Guard
Every year, top shooters from the U.S. Army and Air National Guard compete. These are champion teams from each state. They compete at the Winston P. Wilson Rifle and Pistol Championships.
In the Missouri National Guard, the top twelve guardsmen are chosen to represent their state. They receive the Governor's Twelve Ribbon. This ribbon is worn on their dress uniforms. If a guardsman earns this award more than once, they add special Hawthorn Cluster devices to the ribbon. They also get a special tab for their combat uniform.
The Adjutant General of Missouri also gives out the Adjutant General's Twenty Ribbon. This is for soldiers and airmen who are among the top twenty shooters in the Missouri State Combat Matches each year. This includes the best rifle shooters, pistol shooters, machine gun teams, and scout/sniper teams. They also get a special badge for their combat uniform.
Guardsmen can wear these ribbons permanently on their dress uniforms. They are worn to the left of federal awards. This is when they are working under state control. When they are under federal control, they cannot wear these ribbons. They can wear them again when they return to state control.
More About Marksmanship Awards
The U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps give out special badges for shooting skills. They do not use marksmanship ribbons.
For the services that do give ribbons, you don't need to re-qualify once you earn the award. You can wear the ribbon throughout your career. In the Navy and Coast Guard, you can upgrade your ribbon. This happens if you achieve a higher shooting skill level. You just add a special device to your ribbon.
See also
- Marksmanship Device
- Marksmanship Medal
- Marksmanship Badge (United States)
- Awards and decorations of the United States military
