Articles > American Military History

What Are The U.S. Marine Corps Badges? An In-Depth Description

The Marine Corps Badges are issued by the U.S. Navy to those who achieve certain accomplishments and qualifications while serving on active and reserve duty in the United States Marine Corps. There are different types of badges, such as breast insignia, marksmanship badges, and identification badges.

In this article, we’ll cover al of them and how they are awarded.

Why Are Badges Awarded to the United States Marine Corps?

The United States Marine Corps (or USMC 🔗) is the maritime land force service branch of the country’s Armed Forces. They are responsible for conducting amphibious and expeditionary operations and have their own infantry, aerial, artillery, and special operation forces.

The United States Marine Corps insignia (also sometikmes referred to as marine corps emblem) are military badges issued by the Navy to commissioned officers who have obtained particular accomplishments. For example, they can be awarded to some officer ranks while the person is serving or on reserve duty for completing certain qualifications or carrying out operations.

Marine Corps Badges:
The Breast Insignia

Breast insignia are worn immediately above ribbons and medals. These insignia are awarded for qualifications or designations. There are five types of Marine Corps breast insignia: Aviation, Parachutist, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Diver, and Special Operator. Let’s go through each of these in some detail.

Marine Corps Aviation Insignia

Aviation insignia is awarded to Marines who have qualified or designated to perform duties supporting Marine aircraft. The insignia are:

The Naval Aviator Insignia (for commissioned officers or warrant officers that are qualified as crewed aircraft pilots in the Navy or U.S. Marines)
The Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Insignia (For those responsible for handling unmanned aerial vehicles or drones)
The Naval Flight Officer (NFO) Insignia (for aviators of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard who have qualified as NFO based o successful completion of flight training)
The Naval Astronaut Insignia (awarded to civilian and military personnel for completing training and performing a successful spaceflight)
The Naval Astronaut (NFO) Insignia
The Marine Aerial Navigator Insignia
The Naval Aviation Observer Insignia
The Aircrew Insignia

Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia

The Parachutist Insignia (also known as “lead wings” or “lead sled”) is awarded to personnel who has completed the Basic Airborne Course at the Army Airborne School. There is a silver version for completing the basic parachutist training and doing give qualifying jumps, and a gold version for five additional qualifying jumps.

Marine Corps Explosive Ordnance Disposal Insignia

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Breast Insignia, or the “Crab”, is given to personnel who have successfully completed training at the Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal (NAVSCOLEOD) at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, which deals with safe-rendering and disposal of conventional and unconventional munitions.

Marine Corps Diver Insignia

The Marine Corps Diver Insignia is awarded to qualified diverts. There are several degrees to it, the first one being SCUBA Diver and the others given for deep sea diving qualifications (in degrees of Second Class, First Class, Master Diver, and Diving Medical Technician). There’s also a Combatant Diver insignia for those who have completed the Combatant Diver Course.

Marine Corps Marine Special Operator Insignia

Since August 2016, the Marine Corps also have used a Marine Special Operator Insignia (a pin) that is given to graduates of the five-phase Individual Training Course (ITC).

Marine Corps Badges:
The Marksmanship Badges

Marine Corps Marksmanship Badges are work suspended beneath a bar that states the type of weapon and qualification the person has received (for example, Rifle Expert, Rifle Sharpshooter, Pistol Marksman, etc.) Each badge has a distinctive design.

In order to obtain a Marine Corps Marksmanship badge, you must obtain a passing score and receive a qualification level. Then, a person will be able to wear the badge for the remainder of their military career (or until a new qualification level is obtained).

Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition Badges

In addition to the Marksmanship Badges, the Marine Corps also has a number of Marksmanship Competition Badges authorized for wear as permanent awards. These are presented to top-performing Marines at Marine Corps sponsored marksmanship competitions and given alongside trophies.