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Pathfinder Badge (United States)

 
Pathfinder Badge (United States)

 
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Pathfinder Badge (United States)
 
 
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The Pathfinder Badge is a military badge
Military badges of the United States

Military badges of the United States are awards authorized by the United States armed forces that signify rating, qualification, or accomplishment in several career fields, and also serve as identification devices for personnel occupying certain assignments....
 of the United States Army
United States Army

The United States Army is the branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for Army operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S....
 awarded to soldiers who successfully complete the Pathfinder Course at either Fort Benning
Fort Benning

Fort Benning is a United States Army post, located southwest of the city of Columbus, Georgia in Muscogee County and Chattahoochee County counties in Georgia and Russell County, Alabama....
's Army Infantry School
United States Army Infantry School

The United States Army Infantry School is located in Fort Benning, Georgia . It is made up of the following components:*192d Infantry Brigade ...
,Fort Campbell's Air Assault School
United States Army Air Assault School

The Sabalauski Air Assault School is a FORSCOM TDA unit located at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Their primary task is training leaders and soldiers assigned to the 101st Airborne Division and other Army units and U.S....
, or Fort Benning's Army National Guard
Army National Guard

The Army National Guard is the land force militia organized by each of the several U.S. states and Territories of the United States of the United States....
 Warrior Training Center.

To be awarded the Pathfinder Badge, the soldier must complete instruction in advanced land navigation, advanced scouting, tactical air traffic control
Air traffic control

Air traffic control is a service provided by ground-based Air traffic controller who direct aircraft on the ground and in the air. The primary purpose of ATC systems worldwide is to separate aircraft to prevent collisions, to organize and expedite the flow of traffic, and to provide information and other support for pilots when able....
 in the field, and the control of parachute operations; the badge is awarded on completing a final examination under field training exercise
Field training exercise

A Field training exercise, generally shortened to the acronym "FTX", describes a highly coordinated and well planned exercise conducted by military units for training purposes....
 (FTX) conditions.

The first Pathfinder Badge was designed by Lt.






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The Pathfinder Badge is a military badge
Military badges of the United States

Military badges of the United States are awards authorized by the United States armed forces that signify rating, qualification, or accomplishment in several career fields, and also serve as identification devices for personnel occupying certain assignments....
 of the United States Army
United States Army

The United States Army is the branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for Army operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S....
 awarded to soldiers who successfully complete the Pathfinder Course at either Fort Benning
Fort Benning

Fort Benning is a United States Army post, located southwest of the city of Columbus, Georgia in Muscogee County and Chattahoochee County counties in Georgia and Russell County, Alabama....
's Army Infantry School
United States Army Infantry School

The United States Army Infantry School is located in Fort Benning, Georgia . It is made up of the following components:*192d Infantry Brigade ...
,Fort Campbell's Air Assault School
United States Army Air Assault School

The Sabalauski Air Assault School is a FORSCOM TDA unit located at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Their primary task is training leaders and soldiers assigned to the 101st Airborne Division and other Army units and U.S....
, or Fort Benning's Army National Guard
Army National Guard

The Army National Guard is the land force militia organized by each of the several U.S. states and Territories of the United States of the United States....
 Warrior Training Center.

To be awarded the Pathfinder Badge, the soldier must complete instruction in advanced land navigation, advanced scouting, tactical air traffic control
Air traffic control

Air traffic control is a service provided by ground-based Air traffic controller who direct aircraft on the ground and in the air. The primary purpose of ATC systems worldwide is to separate aircraft to prevent collisions, to organize and expedite the flow of traffic, and to provide information and other support for pilots when able....
 in the field, and the control of parachute operations; the badge is awarded on completing a final examination under field training exercise
Field training exercise

A Field training exercise, generally shortened to the acronym "FTX", describes a highly coordinated and well planned exercise conducted by military units for training purposes....
 (FTX) conditions.

The first Pathfinder Badge was designed by Lt. Prescott, a navigator in the 9th Troop Carrier Pathfinder Group (Provisional), in May 1944. Besides the paratrooper
Paratrooper

Paratroopers are soldiers trained in parachuting and generally operate as part of an Airborne forces.Paratroopers are used for tactical advantage as they can be inserted into the battlefield from the air, thereby allowing them to be positioned in areas not accessible by land....
s who earned it, the Pathfinder Badge was worn by IX Troop Carrier Command
IX Troop Carrier Command

IX Troop Carrier Command was an operational organization of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II and its immediate aftermath. IX TCC was created as a component command of the Ninth Air Force, based in the United Kingdom, and provided air transport for the Airborne forces in the European Theater of Operations....
 air crews who guided paratrooper transports and towed gliders
Military glider

Military gliders have been used by the military of various countries for carrying troops and heavy equipment to a combat zone, mainly during the World War II....
. It was worn four inches above the left sleeve cuff on the service coat.

The current Pathfinder Badge, originally made of felt
Felt

Felt is a non-weave cloth that is produced by matting, condensing and pressing fibers. While some types of felt are very soft, some are tough enough to form construction materials....
, was approved on 22 May 1964. The badge began being made of enameled
Vitreous enamel

In a discussion of material science, enamel is the colorful result of fusing powdered glass to a substrate by firing, usually between 750 and 850 degrees Celsius....
 metal on 11 October 1968. The badge's wings symbolize flight and airborne capabilities, while the torch represents leadership and guidance.

See also

  • Pathfinders (military)
    Pathfinders (military)

    Pathfinders are paratroops who are dropped into place before a major operation in order to place and operate navigational devices to assist the primary drop of paratroops....