Parachutist Badge
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Parachutist Badge is a military badge awarded by the Armed Forces of most countries in the world to soldiers who receive the proper parachute training and accomplish the required number of jumps. It is difficult to assess which country was the first to introduce such award. During World War II most belligerent countries used such badges or awards.
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[edit] Germany
In the German army the Parachutist Badge (Fallschirmschützenabzeichen) was first established by order of Hermann Göring on November 5, 1936. It was first awarded to all soldiers of the Luftwaffe who finished the parachute training and accomplished the required number of jumps. The badge depicts a diving eagle holding a swastika in the claws and surrounded by a silver wreath. It was worn on the left breast, on the pocket. On September 1, 1937, General Werner von Fritsch introduced similar badge for all the Wehrmacht soldiers who also met the requirements. That version has a silver eagle that is diving, a smaller eagle clutching a swazstika and a golden wreath.
[edit] Poland
The Polish Odznaka Spadochronowa was based on the previous award called the Odznaka Pilota Wojskowego, or Military Pilot Badge. It was first introduced by notable Polish sculptor Władysław Gruberski in 1919 and was accepted shortly afterwards as the sign of all the pilots of the Polish Air Forces. The badge featured an eagle with wide spread wings, holding a laurel wreath in his bill.
In 1941, after the creation of the UK-trained 1st Independent Parachute Brigade, a similar symbol was adopted as the sign of all Polish paras. It featured a diving silver eagle. The symbol was also adopted by the cichociemni and nowadays is used by all branches of the Polish Army. Also, the Polish special unit GROM adopted a modified version of the symbol as its emblem. It is commonly (though informally) referred to as gapa (crow).
[edit] Singapore
The Silver Wings is awarded upon successful completion of the Basic Airborne Course conducted by the Parachute Training Wing, School of Commandos. First awarded to the pioneering graduating batch of 27 NSFs from Second Company, 1st Commando Battalion (1 Cdo Bn) of the Singapore Commandos Formation, it comprises a pair of outspread wings on both wigs of a deployed parachute, with the words "SINGAPURA" below the canopy. With the design sanctioned by 1 Cdo Bn's Commanding Officer, Tan Kim Peng Clarence, it is differentiated by a crimson velvet backing for Commandos, while those of the Commando Parachute Jump Instructors have a golden velvet backing. Non-Commandos wear the badge without any backing.
[edit] United Kingdom
The Parachute Badge with Wings is earned by completing 7 descents + 1 night descent on the basic parachute course at RAF No 1 Parachute Training School and subequent service in a Parachute LSN. Prior to this course soldiers must complete and pass a recognised arduous training course, such as:
- Pre Parachute Selection (P Company)
- UKSF Aptitude (Hills)
- The Commando Course at CTCRM
- Pathfinder Cadre
The parachutists badges for qualified personnel of the SAS and SBS are of different designs.
Those who do not serve with a parachute unit are permitted to wear the Parachute Badge without wings, colloquially known as the 'Lightbulb'.
[edit] United States
The United States Parachutist Badge (also commonly referred to as "Jump Wings") is a military badge of the United States Armed Forces which is awarded to members of the United States Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy. The United States Coast Guard is the only service which does not issue a Parachutist Badge, however Coast Guard members are entitled to receive the Parachutist Badge of another service, if the proper training was received. Army parachutists who meet the qualifications and jump with a foreign service may also wear one set of foreign wings if awarded. The badge is awarded to U.S. Armed Forces personnel upon completion of Airborne School regardless of branch or MOS.
The original Army Parachutist Badge was designed in 1941 by Lieutenant General (then Major) William P. Yarborough and approved by the Department of the Army in March of that year. In addition to the Parachutist Badge, U.S. Army paratroopers wore a "paraglider" patch on the front left side (enlisted) or right side (officers) of the garrison cap. Until the late 1940s, glider units were also included within Airborne divisions, hence the parachute and glider on the cap. The garrison cap with the paraglider patch was replaced by the maroon beret. Troops of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), a former parachute unit, continued to wear the garrison cap with patch until the replacement of garrison caps by the black beret worn by all personnel not already wearing maroon (Airborne) or green (Special Forces). When the black beret was adopted Army-wide, Ranger units switched from black to tan.
[edit] Philippines
AFP Parachutist Badge (Basic) This is awarded by the Chief of Staff, AFP and Commanders of Major Services to military personnel to the AFP and friendly foreign nations under the following categories: 1. Basic Parachute Badge a. Have satisfactorily completed the Basic Airborne Course prescribes by the GHQ AFP and Major Service Training Directives. b. Have performed five (5) parachutist jumps. c. Performed a joint exercise/jump (BALIKATAN/BALANCE PISTON) trading of badges with friendly foreign countries who participated in this exercises
2. Senior Parachutist Badge a. Must be an awardee of the Basic Parachutist Badge. b. Have satisfactorily completed an Advanced Airborne (jump master) Course as prescribed by GHQ AFP or Major Service Training Directives. c. Have performed at least thirty (30) parachute jumps, of which five (5) are simulated combat (tactical) jumps with combat equipment, and at least two (2) night jumps.
3. Master Parachutist Badge a. Must be an awardee of the Senior Parachutist Badge. b. Have satisfactorily completed the Advanced Airborne (jump master) Course as prescribed by GHQ AFP, or Major Service Training Directives. c. Have performed as jump master at least one (1) combat jump. d. Have performed at least sixty-five(65) parachutist jumps, of which twenty (20) are simulated combat (tactical) jumps with combat equipment, and at least four (4) night jumps, and at least two (2) combat jumps. The badge consists of the seal of the Republic of the Philippines with the standard colors and placed in the center between the pair of wings and under the parachute. A star is added to the Basic Parachutist Badge when the recipient is authorized to wear a Senior Parachutist Badge. A wreath is added to the Senior Parachutist Badge when the recipient is authorized to wear a Master Parachutist Badge.
The RP zeal means that the risk of life of an airborne is done for the Republic of the Philippines; the pair of wings signify airborne performance of duties; parachute signifies the outfit of being an airborne; the star symbolizes the higher degree or category of the badge; and the wreath, the highest category among the rest of airborne.
