Rifle Qualifications

190 to 209	210 to 219	220 to 250

I was a 12th award Rifle Expert, having never qualified less that an expert.  My highest score was a 248 (dropping 2 points which means out of 50 rounds, I missed the bullseye twice and hit the 4 ring) that was shot in bootcamp.  Unfortunately for me, the guy who shot a 249 was also in my platoon and robbed me of any recognition.  If he would have been from another platoon, I could have at least got platoon high shooter, but no, he was in my platoon and got platoon, series and company high shooter.  Still bitter after 30 years.  Oh well...

After I became an Staff NCO, I no longer was able to qual with the rifle but with the pistol and have a 5th award expert badge qualifying with the pistol.

Marine Corps weapons qualification badges are suspended beneath a bar reading the type of weapon and qualification received. The badge is also different in appearance, depending on which weapon qualification has been obtained.

For a weapon qualification badge to be obtained, a service member must obtain a passing score and will receive a qualification level depending on the score obtained. Throughout the 80's and 90's the rifle score ranges are 190 to 209 for marksman, 210 to 219 for sharpshooter, and 220 to 250 for expert. Once a qualification has been obtained, and the weapons qualification badge issued, the badge may be worn for the remainder of a military career, or until a different level of qualification (higher or lower) is achieved. Typically, Enlisted up to the rank of Staff Sergeant (E-1 to E-6), and Officers up to the rank of Captain (O-1 to O-3) re-qualify with the rifle on an annual basis. The most recent qualification score determines the badge that is worn. If a Marine achieves the score of Expert multiple times in his or her career, an additional "rung" may be added to the badge denoting the number of awards earned.