Is a Badge Trophy still available?

SGT Mike Edick — Fri, 22 Feb 2019 14:14:30 -0500

In the late 80's to 90's I was a badge & credential carrying Army Counterintelligence Agent. INSCOM used to offer a badge trophy and I have tried to follow up with this many times over the years and have never received any kind of response. Can anyone provide info on this?

Response by SGT Jerry Bell made Feb 22 at 2019 2:17 PM

SGT Jerry Bell — Fri, 22 Feb 2019 14:17:14 -0500

I was a 97B as well. I’m not sure how to proceed with obtaining a badge trophy. I would recommend reaching out to Fort Huachuca, AZ.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2019 2:43 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Feb 2019 14:43:16 -0500

Appears that INSCOM is your starting point.
INSCOM Public Affairs [login to see]
Commander, ATTN: IAPA-PAO, 8825 Beulah Street, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-5246
Phone: [login to see]
Note 9-8 b. Doesn't say you can't obtain one, just appears credentials are destroyed 2 years after separation, and the one you carried would have been returned to Army inventory 3 years after your separation. However, it doesn't state time period to request award of one, it only appears you may need to be able to verify "credentials," and it may not be the one you carried.

AR 381-20.
9–2. Program functions
a. The CG, PERSCOM and CG, ARPERCEN—
(1) Notifies the CG, INSCOM of the issuance or withdrawal of the SSI/MOS/civilian CI specialties.
(2) Furnishes copies of SSI/MOS orders on above personnel.
b. The CG, INSCOM—
(1) Manages, and publishes administrative procedures for the USAI badge and credential and the badge trophy programs.
9–8. Central badge and credentials repository
a. The B&C Controller holds badges and credentials of authorized personnel whose current duties do not require their use.
b. The central repository maintains B&C of personnel honorably separated or retired from active duty or USAI civilian employment for two years after turn-in. The Controller then destroys credentials and holds the badge another year for issuance under the trophy program, after which the badge is returned to the general inventory.
c. RC unit commanders will regularly provide a roster to the B&C Controller of all assigned personnel who hold a CI SSI/MOS, regardless of whether they are assigned to a CI SSI/MOS duty position. Providing the roster ensures B&C are manufactured and held at the repository until a requirement for their issuance is forwarded.
d. Personnel not on CI duties may choose to return B&C, through an account custodian, to the central repository for safekeeping.
9–9. The Counterintelligence Badge Trophy Program
a. INSCOM will provide an opportunity for personnel who have served in Army counterintelligence to receive a symbol of that service upon retirement or after final honorable separation from Army service or employment.
b. To be eligible for the badge trophy, the applicant must have—
(1) Qualified as a CI special agent as prescribed by the regulations in effect at the time the applicant was trained.
(2) Not had the CI specialty withdrawn for cause.
(3) Received an honorable discharge, be retired, or resigned under favorable conditions.
(4) Been released/retired from the Reserve Components.
c. The trophy is provided at the individual’s own expense.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2019 7:35 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Feb 2019 19:35:01 -0500

Yes the badge retirement trophy program still exists and it's still available. Currently, the cost is $155. The POC changes every now and then, but currently it is listed as: Mr. Shawn Smith, at [login to see] , DSN 821, or email: [login to see] . This is who you need to contact to explain the ordering process further and how to verify you were an agent (a lot of the old records don't exist anymore so you might need to provide proof of you holding the CI MOS).

NOW, THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT if you choose to buy one: Around 2010, our badge changed from the old "Military Intelligence" small badge to the larger "Counterintelligence" badge w/security hologram (the credentials changed as well). The old badge is NO LONGER available for retirement (all the old badges were destroyed or sent to museums I am told). So if you retire a set now, they will "make" you a new set of retirement B&Cs in the new style. Just keep that in my mind if you were expecting to get the old B&Cs that you were issued. I can all but guarantee they do not exist anymore.

Response by SGT Jim Humphrey made Feb 25 at 2019 8:29 PM

SGT Jim Humphrey — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 20:29:40 -0500

I had to purchase it. I don't think it was much more than 40

Response by SFC Christy Gaunt made Aug 17 at 2019 8:33 PM

SFC Christy Gaunt — Sat, 17 Aug 2019 20:33:57 -0400

Unfortunately, if it were that long ago it is no longer available to you. It is only available for up to 3 years after you leave military service. Once the badge is returned to the general inventory to be reissued it is no longer available for the trophy program as they actually use the badge you were issued for the trophy & retire that badge number from service. I have listed the information below from AR 381-20, The Army Counterintelligence Program, which governs the CI Badge Trophy Program.

Section 9-8. Central badge and credentials repository
b. The central repository maintains B&C of personnel honorably separated or retired from active duty or USAI civilian employment for two years after turn-in. The Controller then destroys credentials and holds the badge another year for issuance under the trophy program, after which the badge is returned to the general inventory.

9–9. The Counterintelligence Badge Trophy Program
a. INSCOM will provide an opportunity for personnel who have served in Army counterintelligence to receive a symbol of that service upon retirement or after final honorable separation from Army service or employment.
b. To be eligible for the badge trophy, the applicant must have—
(1) Qualified as a CI special agent as prescribed by the regulations in effect at the time the applicant was trained.
(2) Not had the CI specialty withdrawn for cause.
(3) Received an honorable discharge, be retired, or resigned under favorable conditions.
(4) Been released/retired from the Reserve Components.
c. The trophy is provided at the individual’s own expense.

Response by SGT Patrick Springer made Jan 18 at 2020 11:47 AM

SGT Patrick Springer — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 11:47:26 -0500

I tried yrs ago but never received a response....finally gave up. I left 97B40 in 1976.....

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2020 12:19 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 12:19:02 -0500

Not the question you asked but the Army has a program to issue law enforcement credentials to active and retired military law enforcement. Currently they are working on expanding the program to include Counter Intelligence.

The contractor is DCS, http://www.leosaarmy.com

LEOSA - Army

Response by SFC William Hawes made Feb 23 at 2020 11:40 PM

SFC William Hawes — Sun, 23 Feb 2020 23:40:42 -0500

Upon retirement, I was asked if I wanted to retire my credentials also, which I did. I dont know of another procedure. Sorry.

Response by SGT Aaron Beyl made Oct 28 at 2020 8:57 PM

SGT Aaron Beyl — Wed, 28 Oct 2020 20:57:58 -0400

I enlisted 12-29-1998 and delayed entry to basic training at Leonardwood in 0ct 99 and graduated Dec 16, 1999. After Exodus leave for Christmas that year, it was off to DLI which was then in Monterrey,CA. Great memories there. After that to Huachuca to finish CI schoolthen back to DLI as an asst. Instructor in my languages. Later after PLDC (which they have sadly renamed to WDC) with my stripes on my sleeve, I finished out my probationary period and got my SA title. Unfortunately we all got Beretta 92FS's for our sidearm. Now they have (my fav) Sig Sauers m11 or m18. Discharged honorably in 2003, I applied myself to college. While in college, i havmd my vet rep contact INSCOM and they sent me mine. Small wall plaque but good story teller.