PURPOSE

Provide background information on the Air Force "Excellence-in-Competition" program and Distinguished Shooter Awards

DISCUSSION

• Military competitive shooting programs and the original "Distinguished Shooter Award" date to 1884 when US Army General Order 12 was published
  
  
  • Intent was to raise overall level of soldier's rifle marksmanship, a core competency viewed as sorely lacking in many front-line combat units
    
    
  • The most accomplished shooters in selected matches were presented a gold "distinguished" badge for uniform wear
    
    
• Originally, there was only a badge for military rifle shooters, but as program evolved at turn of last century, a "Distinguished Pistol Shot" badge was approved by US Army in 1903 (some historical records say 1891)
  
  
  • Navy and Marine Corps began their own programs and created their own medals in early 1900s for both distinguished rifle and pistol shooters
    
    
  • Program opened to civilian shooters in the mid-1920s, but remained primarily a military emphasis
    
    
• At direction of General Curtis LeMay, Air Force developed a competitive shooting program and our own distinguished badges in the mid-1950s
  
  
  • First badge, #001, was awarded to Col Thomas Kelly, an accomplished shooter himself and the officer tasked by Gen LeMay to build an Air Force shooting program
    
    
    • Program reached its zenith in the early-mid 1960s when AF team was producing champions and setting national records, some of which still stand
      
      
• Earning the Air Force Distinguished Pistol Shot badge requires an airman to place among the top 10 percent of eligible shooters in certain "Excellence in Competition" matches, shooting enough matches to eventually accumulate at least 30 points
  
  
  • Depending upon where the individual finishes in the top 10% of match shooters, they will earn either 6, 8, or 10 points toward "distinguished" status
    
    
• Shooters can only compete in 4 of these matches per year, one of which must be the National Championships
  
  
  • Must compete using a "service pistol", either 45 caliber 1911 or 9mm M-9
    
    
• Typical journey to "distinguished" status takes 3-6 years... most who start the trek will never finish it!
  
  
  • Intermediate awards of bronze and silver medals are made upon receipt of 10 and 20 points, respectively
    
    
• Current program is managed and records maintained by Air Force Services Agency
  
  
  • Photos of the badges and information on the program can be found on the following website:
    
    
    • Air Force Services Agency.

SUMMARY

• The Distinguished Shooter Awards represent the highest level of recognition available in military marksmanship... these are the "aces" of the shooting world
  
  
  • There are three distinct "distinguished" awards; Distinguished Pistol Shot, Distinguished Rifleman, and Distinguished International Shooter (must place in world-level competitions)
    
    
  • Authorized for wear on Air Force uniforms IAW AFI 36-2903
    
    
• Marksmanship remains an inherent military skill and these awards are an integral part of maintaining the highest level of skill among our Air Force members

CONCLUSION

Earning the status of "Distinguished Pistol Shot" is a rare and impressive feat very, very few military members will ever accomplish... [as of August 2004] fewer than 360 individuals across all three Air Force components (active, ANG, AFRC) have earned the award