Badges of the Danish Military are military decorations issued to soldiers who achieve a variety of qualifications and accomplishments while serving active or reserve duty in the Danish military. They are worn, on the service dress or barracks dress, either right above or on the breast pocket, depending on whether there are Danish Parachutist Brevets. There is no limit to the number worn and there is no designated order for the badges.

The badges were first created by the Danish Brigade in Exile, in order to show proficiency. It did however not see official and wide use until the 1950s, when standardized versions were introduced.

Proficiency badges The proficiency badges are small circular badges 25mm in diameter showing a laurel wreath and the icon in the center. They are sown onto the uniform with a small circular piece of felt backing:

Army

The army has different colors depending on the service branch: Infantry: Cardinal red (the two infantry regiments Royal Life Guards and Schleswig Foot Regiment) Jutland Dragoons: Crimson red Guard Hussars: White Artillery: Crimson red Engineer Regiment: Black Signal Regiment: Dark blue Logistic Regiment: Crimson red Intelligence Regiment: Grey

Navy

White

Air Force

White

Shooting badges Military Proficiency Badge Name (English/Danish) Grades Date of creation Notes Pistol BadgePistolmærke Bronze, Silver, Gold 1956 for bronze and silver, 1961 for gold Features two crossed Wheellock pistols. Sub-machine Gun BadgeMaskinpistolmærke Bronze, Silver, Gold 1956 for bronze and silver, 1961 for gold Features the Maskinpistol M.44 Husquarna. Obsolete Rifle BadgeGeværmærke Bronze, Silver, Gold 1956 for bronze and silver, 1961 for gold Features two crossed Wheellock rifles. Light Machine Gun BadgeMaskingevær mærke Bronze, Silver, Gold 1955 for bronze and silver, 1961 for gold Features the Madsen machine gun. Marksmanship BadgeFeltskyttemærke Bronze 18 June 1992 Features the scope from M/75. Marksmanship EmblemFeltskyttemblem Silver, gold ? Features the Krag–Jørgensen surrounded by wreath in oak leaves.

Skill badges Military Proficiency Badge Name (English/Danish) Grades Date of creation Notes First Aid Skill BadgeSanitetsmærke Bronze, Silver, Gold 1956 for bronze and silver, 1961 for gold Features a Greek Cross. Dog Handler Skill BadgeHundeførermærke Bronze, Silver, Gold 1968 for bronze, silver and gold Features the head of a German Shepherd. Motorcycle courier Skill BadgeMotorordonansmærke Bronze, Silver, Gold 1956 for bronze and silver, 1961 for gold Features a Nimbus motorcycle.Obsolete Patrol Rider Skill BadgePatruljeryttermærke Bronze 1956 Features the head of a horse.Obsolete Orienteering Skill BadgeTerrænsportsmærke Bronze, Silver, Gold 1956 for bronze and silver, 1961 for gold Features the Orienteering flag and a compass needle. Combat Swimming Skill BadgeKampsvømmer mærke Bronze, Silver, Gold 1956 for bronze and silver, 1961 for gold Features a sword and waves. Signal Skill BadgeSignalmærke Bronze, Silver, Gold 1956 for bronze and silver, 1961 for gold Features a sword and lightning. Rider EmblemRytteremblem Silver(with or without arrow) 2018 Features a horseshoe and two crossed swords surrounded wreath in laurel leaves.

Recognition badges Military Proficiency Badge Name (English/Danish) Grades Date of creation Notes Plane Recognition BadgeFlykendnings mærke Bronze, Silver, Gold 22 October 1975 for bronze, silver and gold Features a plane. Tank Recognition BadgePanserkendings mærke Bronze, Silver, Gold 1975 for bronze, silver and gold Features a Sherman tank. Ship Recognition BadgeSkibskendnings mærke Bronze, Silver, Gold 22 July 1975 for bronze, silver and gold Features a Viking longship.

Tabs Similar in design to British and American tabs, they are worn on the right shoulder, on either service dress, barracks dress or combat uniform.

Tab Name (English/Danish) Notes RangerJæger Awarded after completing Jægerkorpset basic training and one year of satisfactory service at Corps. Patrol (Instructor)Patrulje (Instruktør) Awarded after completing a number of related courses, with Instructor being awarded after reaching level of Instructor. Military PoliceMP Awarded after completing MP basic training and 3 months of satisfactory service. Explosive Ordnance DisposalEOD Awarded after completing a number of related courses. Chemical, Biological, Radiological and NuclearCBRN Awarded after completing a number of related courses. Legal AdviserMJUR Awarded after given permanent or designated title as Military Legal Adviser. Tactical Air Control PartyTACP Awarded after completing Tactical Air Control Party basic training and one year of satisfactory service. Movement ControllerMOVCON Awarded after completing Movement controller basic training and 6 months of satisfactory service.Obsolete

Parachute badge The Danish parachutist badge, can only be acquired by Danish officers, high ranking NCOs and members of the Royal Danish Air Force, they are therefore relatively rare compared to other countries parachute badges. The parachutist badge is worn above the right breast pocket on the service dress or barracks dress, with the ability to wear a foreign brevet, on the pocket flap.

Parachutist Brevet Name (English/Danish) Notes Parachutist BadgeFaldskærmsmærke Freefall Parachutist BadgeFritfaldsmærke Only available for Jægerkorpset and officers, who have completed the Jægerkorps basic training.

Auncienty

Military Proficiency Badge Name (English/Danish) Grades Date of creation Notes Service Emblem - Army NCO SchoolTjenestemærke, Hærens Sergentskole 1 ? Features 3 sergeant chevrons with laurel leaves. -two year of service

See also Orders, decorations, and medals of Denmark

References

Bibliography

External links