German Armed Forces Badge of Marksmanship The German Armed Forces Badge for Weapons Proficiency ( German : Schützenschnur ) is a decoration of the Bundeswehr , the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany . The decoration is awarded to German military personnel of all grades , but is only allowed to be worn by enlisted members . The German armed forces regulations point out , that " the Schützenschnur is a decoration for weapons proficiency for enlisted soldiers . " Officers can receive the award , although it is not currently authorized to be worn on their uniforms . Foreign military members also may be awarded the badge , the German military regulation on officers still applies , permitting only the enlisted members to wear the badge . History . The history of the " Schützenschnur " dates back to the Eighty Years ' War where Spanish troops were ordered to hang any Dutch person who carried a musket . Therefore Spanish musketeers began to carry ropes which were often carried over one shoulder . Awarding a cord as a decoration began in the early 18th century in Prussia under Frederick William I of Prussia . With the reorganization of the Prussian Army under Gerhard von Scharnhorst the " Schützenschnur " became an official military award . The Reichswehr and later the Wehrmacht adapted the " Schützenschnur " as an award for proficiency in marksmanship . The award existed in 12 different levels with different versions for infantry and armored troops . In 1957 the Bundesgrenzschutz introduced the Schützenschnur . A similar decoration existed within the East German National People ' s Army and the Border Troops of the German Democratic Republic . Requirements for qualification . To earn the award one must successfully shoot the German service rifle ( G36 ) , pistol ( P8 ) and machine gun ( MG3 ) . The awarded grade is determined by the lowest weapon qualification . ( e . g . if you qualify all gold and one bronze , you are awarded the bronze . ) Wear by allied military forces . Correct wear on the US Army uniform . In the United States military , the German Armed Forces Badge for Weapons Proficiency ( Schützenschnur ) is one of the few pre - approved foreign awards , requiring no individual approval request to be forwarded up the serviceman ' s chain of command to the United States Senate for acceptance . Occasion and manner of wear of the Schützenschnur are governed by the individual services ' uniform regulations ( e . g . , Army Regulation 670 - 1 ) ; such regulations additionally specify the placement of the concealed button on the uniform with which to affix the Schützenschnur ' s rope . Section 29 - 19 part C of the AR 670 - 1 states the following . " The German Marksmanship Award ( Schuetzenschnur ) is authorized for wear only by enlisted personnel . Officers may accept , but may not wear the Schuetzenschnur . If authorized , personnel wear the award on the right side of the uniform coat , with the upper portion attached under the center of the shoulder loop , and the bottom portion attached under the lapel to a button mounted specifically for wear of this award . " Correct wear on the US Air Force uniform . In the United States Air Force , approval needs to be obtained prior to wear on the uniform . AFI 36 - 2803 , paragraph 7 . 3 . 2 states : " " Air Force members who have been told a foreign nation has made formal offer of a decoration to them may participate in a formal presentation ceremony and receive the decoration when accepting the award is not prejudicial to military or national interest . The receipt of the foreign decoration in this manner does not constitute official acceptance . To gain official acceptance , the recipient must forward a request to accept and retain the decoration to the appropriate approval authority . " " Manner of wear , when approved , is the same for USAF members as it is for US Army members , as outlined above . AFI 36 - 2903 , paragraph 11 . 2 . 2 . 3 states only 1 foreign badge may be worn at a time . This paragraph refers toparagraph 10 . 5 . 1 . 6 ( now deleted ) for wear location guidance , which was deleted during the last revision . The previous version included verbage to effect that foreign badges could only be worn in the theater earned ( in this case , airmen assigned to United States Air Forces in Europe ) . Further amplification is provided on the individual approval documentation provided by the Air Force Personnel Center , when approved . Classes / Grades . The number of exercises depends on the chosen ( or ordered ) weapon and the grade of the badge . A member of the medical branch , for example , can reach the bronze badge by two exercises with the pistol . A paratrooper needs for the gold badge one exercise with the G36 rifle ( or three with the G3 rifle ) AND two with the MG3 machine gun ( or two with the Panzerfaust ) . The German Armed Forces Badge for Weapons Proficiency in Gold is awarded with the number 5 , 10 , 15 etc . for annually retaking .