The Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention badge was created to recognize the achievement of strength-maintenance objectives of non-commissioned officers serving in the ARNG Recruiting and Retention Command (RRC). It was redesigned in the spring of 2008 to more accurately reflect the reach and importance of the Army National Guard Strength Maintenance Program.
In addition to changing the imagery used on the front of the badge, the redesign mandated a change in the designation of the name for the highest level of achievement, from “Master” to “Expert.” The new badges also featured a small circular indentation at the bottom center to accommodate inserts reflecting time of active duty the wearer had logged as a RRNCO. The inserts are issued in five-year increments, beginning with five years and going all the way up to thirty years. At the “Expert” level, the badges are also designed to accommodate inserts denoting the wearer has been awarded the “Director’s 54” or “Master 7” awards given to the most successful RRNCOs at the state and district levels respectively.