[Title 32 CFR 578.61]
[Code of Federal Regulations (annual edition) - July 1, 2002 Edition]
[Title 32 - NATIONAL DEFENSE]
[Chapter V - DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY]
[Subchapter F - PERSONNEL]
[Part 578 - DECORATIONS, MEDALS, RIBBONS, AND SIMILAR DEVICES]
[Sec. 578.61 - Combat and special skill badges and tabs.]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]


32NATIONAL DEFENSE32002-07-012002-07-01false578.61Sec. 578.61NATIONAL DEFENSEDEPARTMENT OF THE ARMYPERSONNELDECORATIONS, MEDALS, RIBBONS, AND SIMILAR DEVICES
Sec. 578.61  Combat and special skill badges and tabs.

    (a) Purpose. Combat and special skill badges are awarded to denote 
proficiency in performance of duties under hazardous conditions and 
circumstances of extraordinary hardship as well as special 
qualifications and successful completion of prescribed courses of 
training.
    (b) To whom awarded. (1) The Combat Infantryman Badge may be awarded 
only to members of the United States Army or Navy.
    (2) The Medical Badge may be awarded only to members of the United 
States Army or Navy.
    (3) All other combat and special skill badges may be earned by 
honorable active or inactive service, in or while formally assigned or 
attached to, the United States Army. Awards of United States Army combat 
and special skill badges to a foreigner will be made only with the prior 
consent of his parent government and upon completion of the full 
requirements established for each badge listed below.
    (c) Reinstatement of awards. An award once revoked will not be 
reinstated automatically when, for any reason of conviction by court-
martial for desertion in time of war is voided by competent authority.
    (d) Combat Infantryman Badge.-- (1) Eligibility requirements. (i) An 
individual must be an infantry officer in the grade of colonel or below, 
or an enlisted man, or a warrant officer with infantry MOS, who 
subsequent to December 6, 1941, has satisfactorily performed duty while 
assigned or attached as a member of an infantry unit of regimental or 
smaller size during any period such unit was engaged in active ground 
combat. Battle participating credit alone is not sufficient; the unit 
must have been in active ground combat with the enemy during the period. 
Awards may be made to assigned members of ranger infantry companies 
assigned or attached to tactical infantry organizations.
    (ii) Awards will not be made to general officers nor to members of 
headquarters companies of units larger in size than battle groups.
    (iii) Any officer whose basic branch is other than infantry who, 
under appropriate orders, has commanded an infantry unit of regimental 
or smaller size for at least 30 consecutive days is deemed to have been 
detailed in infantry and is eligible for the award of the Combat 
Infantryman Badge notwithstanding absence of written orders detailing 
him in the infantry provided all other requirements for such award have 
been met. Orders directing the individual to assume command will be 
confirmed in writing at the earliest practicable date.

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    (iv) One award of the Combat Infantryman Badge is authorized to each 
individual for each separate war in which the requirements prescribed 
have been met. Second, third, and fourth awards are indicated by 
superposing 1, 2, and 3 stars respectively, centered at the top of the 
badge between the points of the oak wreath.
    (2) Who may award. Commanding generals of infantry divisions and 
commanding officers of infantry battle groups, separate infantry 
battalions, and separate infantry companies.
    (e) Medical Badge--(1) Eligibility requirements. (i) A member of the 
Army Medical Service or of the Naval Medical Service assigned or 
attached to the Army, must have satisfactorily performed medical duties 
subsequent to December 6, 1941, while assigned or attached in a 
permanent status as a member of the medical detachment of an infantry 
unit of regimental or smaller size, or as a member of the medical 
platoon of an infantry or airborne battle group headquarters company, 
during any period the unit was engaged in active ground combat. Battle 
participation credit is not sufficient; the infantry unit must have been 
in contact with the enemy.
    (ii) Awards of this badge will not be made to members of medical 
battalions, except when attached to an infantry unit as indicated above.
    (iii) One award of the medical badge is authorized to each 
individual for each war in which the above requirements are met. 
Successive awards are indicated by superimposing stars on the badge as 
follows: Second award, one star at the top center above the cross; third 
award, two stars, one at the top center above the cross and one at the 
bottom center of the wreath; fourth award, three stars, one at the top 
center above the cross, and one at each side of the wreath at the ends 
of the stretcher.
    (2) Who may award. Same as for Combat Infantryman Badge.
    (f) Expert Infantryman Badge--(1) Eligibility requirement. An 
individual must be an infantry officer or enlisted man, or a warrant 
officer with an infantry MOS who has satisfactorily completed the 
proficiency tests prescribed by Army Regulations while assigned to an 
infantry unit of regimental or smaller size; or when assigned to, or 
attending a course of instruction at, the United States Army Infantry 
School.
    (2) Who may award. Commanding officers of infantry regiments, battle 
groups and separate infantry units or their next superior, commanders of 
United States Army Training Centers, and the Commandant, United States 
Army Infantry School. Commanders at training installations may award the 
badge to qualified personnel undergoing 6 months' active duty for 
training under the Reserve Forces Act of 1955 provided such personnel 
are assigned to infantry units of battle group or smaller size in the 
Reserve components.
    (g) Parachutist badges. (1) Three degrees of badges are authorized 
for award: the Master Parachutist Badge, the Senior Parachutist Badge, 
and the Parachutist Badge. Eligibility requirements for each badge are 
set forth in succeeding paragraphs. Awarding authorities for all three 
are the following: Commanding generals of the United States Continental 
Army Command; ZI armies and overseas commands: Military District of 
Washington, U.S. Army; airborne corps; airborne divisions; infantry 
divisions containing organic airborne elements, and the Quartermaster 
Research and Engineering Command; the Commandants of the Infantry School 
and of the Quartermaster School; commanding officers of separate 
airborne regiments, separate airborne battle groups, or separate 
airborne battalions. Special Forces Groups (Airborne), and the Special 
Warfare Center; and President, U.S. Army Airborne and Electronics Board.
    (2) Eligibility for awards will be determined from the Individual 
Jump Record (DA Form 1307) contained in the field 201 file section of 
the personnel records jacket. Each entry on this form will include pay 
period covered and initials of the personnel officer; the entry will be 
made only from a Certificate of Jump and Loading Manifest (DA Form 1306) 
completed by an officer or jumpmaster.
    (h) Master Parachutist Badge. An individual must have been rated 
excellent in character and efficiency and have met the following 
requirements:

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    (1) Participated in a minimum of 65 jumps to include:
    (i) Twenty-five jumps with combat equipment to consist of normal TOE 
equipment, individual weapon carried by the individual in combat whether 
the jump was in actual or simulated combat. In cases of simulated combat 
the equipment will include water, rations (actual or dummy), ammunition 
(actual or dummy), and other essential items necessary to sustain an 
individual in combat;
    (ii) Four night jumps made during the hours of darkness (regardless 
of the time of day with respect to sunset) one of which will be as 
jumpmaster of a stick;
    (iii) Five mass tactical jumps which culminate in an airborne 
assault problem with a unit equivalent to a battalion or larger; a 
separate company/battery; or an organic staff of regimental size or 
larger. The individual must fill a position commensurate with his rank 
or grade during the problem.
    (2) Either graduated from the Jumpmaster Course of the Airborne 
Department of the Infantry School or the jumpmaster school of a separate 
airborne battalion or larger airborne unit, or served as jumpmaster on 
one or more combat jumps or as jumpmaster on 33 noncombat jumps.
    (3) Have served on jump status with an airborne unit or other 
organization authorized parachutists for a total of at least 36 months.
    (i) Senior Parachutist Badge. An individual must have been rated 
excellent in character and efficiency and have met the following 
requirements:
    (1) Participated in a minimum of 30 jumps to include:
    (i) Fifteen jumps with combat equipment to consist of normal TOE 
equipment including individual weapon carried in combat whether the jump 
was in actual or simulated combat. In cases of simulated combat the 
equipment will include water, rations (actual or dummy), ammunition 
(actual or dummy), and other essential items necessary to sustain an 
individual in combat; and
    (ii) Two night jumps made during the hours of darkness (regardless 
of time of day with respect to sunset) one of which will be as 
jumpmaster of a stick;
    (iii) Two mass tactical jumps which culminate in an airborne assault 
problem with either a unit equivalent to a battalion or larger; a 
separate company/battery; or an organic staff of regimental size or 
larger. The individual must fill a position commensurate with his rank 
or grade during the problem.
    (2) Either graduated from the Jumpmaster Course of the Airborne 
Department of the Infantry School or the jumpmaster school of a separate 
airborne battalion or larger airborne unit, or served as jumpmaster on 
one or more combat jumps or as a jumpmaster on 15 noncombat jumps.
    (3) Have served on jump status with an airborne unit or other 
organizations authorized parachutists for a total of at least 24 months.
    (j) Parachutists Badge. An individual must have satisfactorily 
completed the prescribed proficiency tests while assigned or attached to 
an airborne unit or the Airborne Department of The Infantry School; or 
have participated in at least one combat parachute jump into enemy-held 
territory as a member of an organized force carrying out an assigned 
tactical mission for which the unit was credited with an airborne 
assault landing by the theater commander.
    (k) Army aviator badges--(1) Badges authorized. (i) Master Army 
Aviator Badge.
    (ii) Senior Army Aviator Badge.
    (iii) Army Aviator Badge.
    (2) Eligibility requirements. An individual must have satisfactorily 
completed prescribed training and proficiency tests as outlined in AR 
600-106, and must have been designated as an aviator in orders issued by 
headquarters indicated below:
    (3) Who may award. (i) The Commandant, Army Aviation School, may 
designate an individual as an Army Aviator.
    (ii) The Adjutant General may designate an individual as an Army 
Aviator, as a Senior Army Aviator, and as a Master Army Aviator.
    (l) Army Aviation Medical Officer Badge. The Surgeon General may 
award this badge to any Army Medical Corps officer to whom he has 
awarded MOS 3160 (either primary or secondary)

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upon successful completion of a course in aviation medicine.
    (m) Diver badges--(1) Badges authorized. Diver proficiency is 
recognized by the following badges:
    (i) Master Diver Badge.
    (ii) First-Class Diver Badge.
    (iii) Salvage Diver Badge.
    (iv) Second-Class Diver Badge.
    (2) Eligibility requirements. An individual must have satisfactorily 
completed prescribed proficiency tests in accordance with AR 611-75 
while assigned or attached to an authorized diving and salvage school or 
to a unit for which the TOE or TD includes diving personnel.
    (3) Who may award. The commandant of an authorized diving and 
salvage school and commanding officer of a regiment, group, or separate 
battalion for which the TOE or TD includes diving personnel.
    (n) Explosive Ordnance Disposal Supervisor Badge--(1) Eligibility 
requirements. Any commissioned officer, warrant officer, or 
noncommissioned officer in grade E-6 or higher may be awarded the badge 
if he meets, or has met, all the following requirements;
    (i) Successful completion of basic and special weapons disposal 
courses of instruction.
    (ii) Eighteen months cumulative service in a supervisory position in 
a TOE or TD which the above explosive ordnance disposal courses are a 
prerequisite.
    (iii) Noncommissioned officers must have been rated excellent in 
character and efficiency at the time of recommendation for the award.
    (2) Who may award. Commanding generals of divisions and higher 
commands, and commanding officers of separate groups or equivalent 
headquarters exercising operational control of EOD personnel or units.
    (o) Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialist Badge--(1) Eligibility 
requirements. Any commissioned officer, warrant officer, or enlisted man 
may be awarded the badge if he meets, or has met, all the following 
requirements:
    (i) Successful completion of the prescribed basic EOD course of 
instruction.
    (ii) Assigned in a TOE or TD position for which the basic EOD course 
is a prerequisite.
    (2) Who may award. Same as in paragraph (n) of this section.
    (p) Glider Badge. The Glider Badge is no longer awarded. An 
individual who was awarded the badge upon satisfying then current 
eligibility requirements may continue to wear the badge. Eligibility for 
award could be established by satisfactory completion of prescribed 
proficiency tests while assigned or attached to an airborne unit or to 
the Airborne Department of the Infantry School, or by participation in 
at least one combat glider landing into enemy-held territory as a member 
of an organized force carrying out an assigned tactical mission for 
which the unit was credited with an airborne assault landing by the 
theater commander.
    (q) Ranger Tab. (1) The Commandant of the U.S. Army Infantry School 
may award the Ranger Tab to any person who successfully completed a 
Ranger Course conducted by that school.
    (2) The Adjutant General may award the Ranger Tab to any person who 
was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge while serving as a member of a 
Ranger Battalion (1st-6th, inclusive) or in the 5307th Composite Unit, 
Provisional (Merrill's Marauders) or to any person who successfully 
completed a Ranger course conducted by the Ranger Training Command.