thumb|325px|A U.S. Coast Guard Company Commander marches trainees—note the Company Commander Insignia over his service tape of the [[Operational Dress Uniform]]
The U.S. military issues instructor badges to specially training military personnel who are charged with teaching military recruits the skills they need to perform as members of the U.S. Armed Forces or teach continuing education courses for non-commissioned officers and officers in the military. With the exception of the U.S. Army and U.S. Coast Guard, these badges are considered temporary military decorations and must be surrendered upon completion of one's duty as a military instructor. Because of this, the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps award Drill Instructor Ribbons as a permanent decoration to recognize service members who have qualified and performed as military instructors.
Army Instructor Badges
thumb|175px|U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Identification Badge
The Drill Sergeant Identification Badge is a military badge of the United States Army which was first issued on January 15, 1958. It is also nicknamed the "pumpkin" patch due to its jack-o'-lantern-like appearance when worn in the non-subdued pin-on version and in the color sew-on version worn before insignia was subdued in the 1950s and 1960s. The badge is presented to any NCO who has completed the Drill Sergeant Course at any U.S. Army Drill Sergeant School, and has been assigned as a drill sergeant at a U.S. Army training command.
The drill sergeant identification badge is worn by all qualified drill sergeants. Each element of the badge has a specific meaning. It consists of 13 stars representing the original colonies. The torch, burning brightly, in the center symbolizes liberty. The snake is derived from the original ”Don’t Tread On Me” serpent on the Gadsden flag, a symbol of American independence during the 18th century. Together with the torch and breastplate, it indicated readiness to defend. The breastplate is a symbol of strength. The green background is a vestment worn under the breastplate. It's called a Jupon, which represents the new Army. The snake grasps, with his tail and teeth, a scroll inscribed “This We’ll Defend,” the motto of the United States Army. The inscription summarizes the meaning of all the symbols on the badge, depicting the determination, devotion, and constant readiness of the American soldier.
The Army Instructor Identification Badges are awarded in three levels; basic, senior, and master. To earn the basic badge a soldier must meet the instructor requirements outlined in Army Regulation 614–200, must complete the requirements of TRADOC Regulation 600–21, must complete 80 hours of instruction as a primary instructor, and must meet evaluation requirements after two separate evaluations 30 days apart. To earn the senior badge a soldier must meet the same requirements as the basic badge and complete the following prerequisites: graduate from the small group instructor training course/intermediate facilitation skills course and the systems approach to training basic course/foundation training developer course. They also must complete 200 hours of instruction as a primary instructor. To earn the master badge a soldier must complete the entire basic and senior badge requirements and complete the following prerequisites: graduate from the advanced facilitator skills course or the faculty development program-1 and the evaluating instructor's workshop. They also must meet evaluation requirements and master instructor board requirements outlined in TRADOC Regulation 600–21.
These badges can be worn on the Army Combat Uniform, as a subdued badge or patch, and the full-color versions on Army service uniforms. The Army Instructor Identification Badges are permanent awards and can be worn on Army uniforms for the remainder of a soldier's career.
The Air Education and Training Instructor Badge may be awarded as a temporary decoration to any Air Force service member who has completed a course of instruction as a Military Training Instructor or Academic Instructor. The badge is then presented upon the service member's assignment to an Air Education and Training Command, such as basic training or Officer Training School. The badge is also occasionally granted to non-commissioned officers attached to Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps units who serve as Cadet Drill Instructors. Physically, the only difference between these two badges is the incorporation of the word "MASTER" arched in silver below the torch within the blue field of the badge's shield.
The Air Force Professional Military Education (PME) Badge is worn by Air Force instructors that provide continuing professional military education that is focused on basic, primary, intermediate, and senior level education of Air Force Officers. These PME instructors should not be confused with instructors that wear the Air Education and Training Instructor Badges, who focus on the professional education of new recruits, non-commissioned officers, and officer cadets/candidates. PME instructors focus on furthering the education of company and field grade officers to help further their careers and develop highly educated Air Force professionals through specialized graduate level courses accredited by Air University.
The Recruit Division Commander Badge is designed with a gold rope bordering the badge with a black band inside the gold rope which is embossed in gold lettering with the words "Division Commander". The center contains an eagle design, similar to the Bureau of Naval Personnel Seal, on a white background encircled by gold link. The Gold Wreath Award version has a gold wreath that replaces the gold rope which has a white scroll at the top of the wreath with the word "Excellence" embossed in gold. Inside the gold wreath is the same Division Commander Badge described above.
The Company Commander Insignia is a permanent decoration and may be worn for the remainder of the Coast Guardsman's military career.