Norwegian Proficiency Badges

[Brig]

Been meaning to post these for quite some time, but kind of took a hiatus from the hobby for the last year or so. Since coming back from Norway five years ago, I have had a side interest in Norwegian proficiency badges. These badges had a very interesting history in WWII. They continued to be worn by the Norwegian military in exile, and firms in England and Sweden began producing them to supply the exiled troops. However, the Germans also recognized them, allowing Norwegian volunteers in the Wehrmacht and SS to wear them in their German uniforms.

A Norwegian volunteer wearing a few proficiency badges in his SS uniform:


The Hærens Skarpskyttermerke, or Army Sharpshooter Badge, was awarded in bronze, silver, and gold grades…with bronze being a pinback badge worn over the left breast pocket and the silver and gold being medals. The larger badge was in use from 1924-1945…and was reinstituted sometime after the war in a small pinback version.


The Militære Marsjmerke is probably the most well-known of these. It was established in 1915 and was awarded to those who could march, walk, or run a prescribed distance in full gear totaling 11kg. Originally this badge had a beautiful blue enamel sky background, but in 1936 the enamel was removed and they entire badge was just silver until 1945. This badge was reinstituted after the war with the blue background again, however in a much smaller size, and it still awarded today to military and civilians who hike 25 pounds over 18 miles in 4 and half hours. This badge is actually authorized for wear by the US Army. One of my big regrets from my tour was the night the local Home Guard participated in this qualification; I was unable to attend. Even though the Marine Corps doesn’t recognize foreign proficiency badges, it would have been neat just to do.


The Militære Skimerke, or Military Ski Badge, was a proficiency badge in use from 1915-1945 that was originally introduced to keep the tradition of skiing alive. In my experience, the tradition is certainly alive and well. Originally it was only in silver grade, and personnel were required to wear the uniform and gear weighing 7kg. In 1932, a gold grade was established for those who had earned the silver grade at least 6 times. It’s estimated that about 5000 silver grades were awarded, and only about 300 gold grades. The second badge is the Militære Idrettsmerke, or Military Sports Badge, and was awarded from 1937-1945 in bronze, silver, and gold. The third badge is the Norges Landsforbund For Idrett Idrettsmerke, or the Norwegian National Association for Sports Badge, which was also awarded in bronze, silver, and gold grades to military and civilians who met the criteria from 1915-1945.