Marine Corps Rifle Qualification Shooting Badges

United States Marine Corps Rifle Qualification Badge

Criteria: Marine Corps rifle weapons qualification badges are obtained after obtaining a passing score, which fall into one of three ranges - 250 - 279 for Marksman, 280 - 304 for Sharpshooter, and 305 - 350 for Expert. Qualifying Marines receive a specific weapons qualification badge depending on the score obtained. Once earned, the qualification badge may be worn for the remainder of a military career, unless a different level of qualification is achieved. Typically, enlisted personnel up to the rank of staff sergeant, and officers up to the rank of captain, re-qualify with the rifle annually. If a Marine achieves the score of Expert multiple times in his or her career, an additional "rung" may be added to the badge to denote multiple awards. Marine Corps weapons qualification badges are hung beneath a bar indicating the type of weapon and qualification level earned. The suspended badge varies in appearance depending on which weapon qualification has been obtained. Marine recruits cannot exit Initial Recruit Training (or The Basic School for Officers) until a qualification of at least Marksman has been obtained.