Marksmanship Device
Encyclopedia
A Marksmanship Device is an award of the United States Air Force
, United States Navy
, and United States Coast Guard
which is presented as an attachment to the Marksmanship Ribbon
. For the Air Force, the addition of a bronze Service Star
is used to indicate expert qualification in both rifle and service pistol. For the Navy and Coast Guard, there are two marksmanship devices which are presented for scoring as a Sharpshooter or Expert on a pistol and rifle qualification course. The Coast Guard also has six additional devices which represent accomplishments in Civilian Marksmanship Program
(CMP) sanctioned competitions.
The Sharpshooter Marksmanship Device is typically referred to as the S Device and appears as a bronze colored "S" for the Navy and a silver colored "S" for the Coast Guard. The Expert Marksmanship Device is referred to as the E Device (not to be confused with the Battle E Device) and appears as a silvered colored "E".
The Navy and Coast Guard Expert Marksmanship Device is worn on the Marksmanship Ribbon in lieu of the full sized Marksmanship Medal
. When wearing the Marksmanship Medal, the Marksmanship Ribbon with Expert Device is not displayed.
For a period of time the S Device and E Device were bronze for two consecutive qualifications and a third qualification was necessary to changed the Device to silver with a permanent status.
For Coast Guardsman who have been awarded the bronze or silver Coast Guard Excellence-in-Competition Pistol Shot or Rifleman Badge by the CMP can wear a bronze or silver miniature replica of the M1911 or M14
attached to the U.S. Coast Guard Pistol or Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon respectively. For Coast Guardsman who have been awarded the Coast Guard Distinguished Pistol Shot or Marksman Badge by the CMP, a small gold metal replica of a pistol or rifle target can be attached to the appropriate marksmanship ribbon.
From 1942 to 1959, the Navy awarded unique Distinguished Marksmanship Ribbon
s vs. devices for their existing marksmanship ribbons. Today, only Distinguished Marksmanship Badges are authorized for wear.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
, United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, and United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
which is presented as an attachment to the Marksmanship Ribbon
Marksmanship Ribbon
A Marksmanship Ribbon is an award of the United States Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard that is issued to service members who pass a weapons qualification course and achieve an above-average score.-Navy:...
. For the Air Force, the addition of a bronze Service Star
Service star
A service star, also referred to as a battle star, campaign star, or engagement star, is an attachment to a United States military decoration which denotes participation in military campaigns or multiple bestowals of the same award. Service stars are typically issued for campaign medals, service...
is used to indicate expert qualification in both rifle and service pistol. For the Navy and Coast Guard, there are two marksmanship devices which are presented for scoring as a Sharpshooter or Expert on a pistol and rifle qualification course. The Coast Guard also has six additional devices which represent accomplishments in Civilian Marksmanship Program
Civilian Marksmanship Program
The Civilian Marksmanship Program is a U.S. government-chartered program that promotes firearms safety training and rifle practice for all qualified U.S. citizens with special emphasis on youth. Any U.S. citizen who is not legally prohibited from owning a firearm may purchase a military surplus...
(CMP) sanctioned competitions.
The Sharpshooter Marksmanship Device is typically referred to as the S Device and appears as a bronze colored "S" for the Navy and a silver colored "S" for the Coast Guard. The Expert Marksmanship Device is referred to as the E Device (not to be confused with the Battle E Device) and appears as a silvered colored "E".
The Navy and Coast Guard Expert Marksmanship Device is worn on the Marksmanship Ribbon in lieu of the full sized Marksmanship Medal
Marksmanship Medal
The Marksmanship Medal is a decoration of the United States Navy and the Coast Guard and is the highest award one may receive for weapons qualification...
. When wearing the Marksmanship Medal, the Marksmanship Ribbon with Expert Device is not displayed.
For a period of time the S Device and E Device were bronze for two consecutive qualifications and a third qualification was necessary to changed the Device to silver with a permanent status.
For Coast Guardsman who have been awarded the bronze or silver Coast Guard Excellence-in-Competition Pistol Shot or Rifleman Badge by the CMP can wear a bronze or silver miniature replica of the M1911 or M14
M14 rifle
The M14 rifle, formally the United States Rifle, 7.62 mm, M14, is an American selective fire automatic rifle firing 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition. It was the standard issue U.S. rifle from 1959 to 1970. The M14 was used for U.S...
attached to the U.S. Coast Guard Pistol or Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon respectively. For Coast Guardsman who have been awarded the Coast Guard Distinguished Pistol Shot or Marksman Badge by the CMP, a small gold metal replica of a pistol or rifle target can be attached to the appropriate marksmanship ribbon.
From 1942 to 1959, the Navy awarded unique Distinguished Marksmanship Ribbon
Distinguished Marksmanship Ribbon
The Distinguished Marksmanship Ribbon was a military decoration of the United States Navy which was established in 1942. Originally known as the Distinguished Marksman and Pistol Shot Ribbon, the decoration recognized those who had been presented a Distinguished Marksman Badge through exceptional...
s vs. devices for their existing marksmanship ribbons. Today, only Distinguished Marksmanship Badges are authorized for wear.
See also
- Marksmanship RibbonMarksmanship RibbonA Marksmanship Ribbon is an award of the United States Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard that is issued to service members who pass a weapons qualification course and achieve an above-average score.-Navy:...
- Marksmanship MedalMarksmanship MedalThe Marksmanship Medal is a decoration of the United States Navy and the Coast Guard and is the highest award one may receive for weapons qualification...
- Marksmanship Badge (United States)
- Awards and decorations of the United States militaryAwards and decorations of the United States militaryAwards and decorations of the United States Military are military decorations which recognize service and personal accomplishments while a member of the United States armed forces...