United States Air Force
Small Arms Expert
Qualification Ribbon
Display Recognition

Site Index

      • Sample Display Recognitions
      • Display Types
      • Issue Requirements
      • Issue Regulations
      • Who May Apply
      • Administration Processing and Delivery
      • How To Apply For This Display Recognition and/or Medal
      • Mailing Address
      • Questions?
      • Other Display Recognitions
      • USAF Websites
      • USAF Discussion Forum

        • Sample Display Recognition

        Who May Apply

        • Veteran recipients
        • Active Duty recipients
        • Family Members of recipients
        • Estate Inheritors

        Display Types

        You have three display types to choose from:
        Heavy Bond Enclosure
        or EnDurable Acrylux© Frame
        or Classic Deluxe Frame

        Heavy Bond Enclosure
        Colors: Regal, Black or Navy
        Trimmed in Appearance Gold

        Ready for Mantle or Shelf Display

        EnDurable Acrylux© Frame
        Colors: Chocolate Brown or Black
        Trimmed in Appearance Gold
        Ready for Wall or Shelf Display

        Classic Deluxe
        Color: Appearance Gold
        Ready for Wall or Shelf Display

        Issue Requirements
        You must submit ONE of the following:

      • A photocopy of your DD-214
      • Or, a photocopy of general orders
      • Or, a photocopy of training record

        • NOTICE

        This Display Recognition is available ONLY to authorized recipients who possess orders, or authorization form, or release documentation that confirms award eligibility. (See "Issue Requirements"). To obtain either a Display Medal or a Display Recognition for your authorized award you will be required to provide military-issued documentation authorizing your award. There are no exceptions.

        WARNING!
        You must NOT submit a military issued document or photocopy that:

        • has been altered in any way by you after
          the original's official issue
        • contains information or corrections or
          additions that you entered
        • lists awards or training you knowingly did not receive
        • contains highlighting, colorizing or other markings you entered

        Be advised that on request any knowingly fraudulent document sent by you will be released to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that may result in prosecution and/or fine/imprisonment.

        Email Questions, or Phone: 310-532-0634

        Personnel Branch
        Processing and Delivery

        Style Price Shipping Total
        Heavy Bond Enclosure $19.00 $6.40 $25.40
        EnDurable Acrylux© Frame $21.00 $6.40 $27.40
        Classic Gold Frame $24.00 $8.40 $32.40

      • Total/Shipping prices, above, apply to 50 U.S. states
      • Contact The War Library for international shipping cost

        • How To Apply

        You may apply for your Display Recognition using a...

      • Check Debit card (* Shipped within 1 week)
      • Charge card (* Shipped within 1 week)
      • Personal, Business, Bank or Cashiers Check ( Shipped in 6 weeks)
      • Money Order (* Shipped within 1 week)

        • (* Upon reception of required documentation)

        Complete and MAIL this APPLICATION FORM.
        Don't forget to include a copy of your DD-214 or other pre-arranged document(s).

        DISPLAY RECOGNITION and/or MEDAL APPLICATION FORM

        Mailing Address

        Records Chief (REC-AMW)
        The American War Library
        16907 Brighton Avenue
        Gardena CA 90247-5420

        Questions?

        Email: USAF Qualification Recognition Inquiry

        Telephone: 1-310-532-0634
        10am to 3pm Pacific Time Zone, Monday through Friday

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        Accessing The Personnel Registry

        Issue Regulations


        Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon

        Establishing Authority

        The Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon was established on January 1, 1963, by Secretary of the Air Force Eugene M. Zuckert.

        Effective Dates

        The Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon has been in effect since January 1, 1963.

        Criteria

        This ribbon is awarded to Air Force personnel who qualify as "expert" with either the M16 rifle or issue handgun on the Air Force qualification course.

        Order of Precedence

        The Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon is worn after the Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon and before the Air Force Training Ribbon.

        Restrictions

        The Air Force Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon may not be worn on the Navy uniform.

        Devices

        The bronze service star is added to the ribbon for those person-nel who, after June 22, 1972, meet award criteria with both the M16 rifle and the issue handgun.

        This ribbon was authorized by the Secretary of the Air Force on Aug. 28, 1962. It is awarded to all U.S. Air Force service members who, after Jan. 1, 1963, qualify as "expert" in small-arms marksmanship with either the M-16 rifle or issue handgun. These rules will apply to the Air Force standard service small arms weapon selected. Qualifications as "expert" in both weapons after June 22, 1972, shall be denoted by a bronze service star worn on the ribbon.

        The ribbon has a very wide center stripe of laurel green, flanked on either side by a thin yellow stripe, with a wide light blue stripe at the edges.