WASHINGTON — Department of the Army officials announced today that the Air Assault Badge would phased out and a new Sexual Assault Survivor Badge would be added to AR 670-1.

“Victims of sexual assault will no longer be forced to suffer in silence. The Air Assault Badge was less about showing that you had a valuable skill and more about showing how much pain you could endure,” said Col. Richard Stockman, Army G1. “The new Sexual Assault Survivor Badge serves as public reminder that one can be subjected to some of the most intense physical and emotional suffering imaginable and still serve with pride.”

Like other additional skill identifier badges, wear of the Sexual Assault Survivor Badge will not be mandatory.