Qualification Badges

U.S. Marine Corps Second World War

Marksmanship Qualification Badges

PFC Patrick M. FitzGibbon (1926-1945)
wearing his Manksmanship Badges
(Courtesy: Kathleen Richmond)

Rifle

Marksman	Sharpshooter	Expert

Other

Basic badge without bars

Rifle Marksmanship Badges were awarded in three classes from lowest to highest: Marksman, Sharpshooter, and Expert. These were worn on the left breast of the blue and service uniform for the period of time the soldier held the qualification. Bars were added to the sharpshooter badge indicating requalification dates. Badges were not worn in the field. In addition to the rifle badges the basic badge could be worn for other qualifications. The basic badge was worn to the left of the particular rifle qualification badge the marine has been awarded. The bars indicate the degree of proficiency with the letters SS, indicating Sharpshooter or EX, indicating Expert. The 1937 Uniform Regulations lists the following bars that could be worn on the basic badge.