Warrant Officers wearing Marksmanship and/or Drivers Badge?

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 14:05:04 -0500

Since I became a Warrant Officer I have heard two different answers to this question. Do I still wear my marksmanship and/or drivers badge? I have heard some answer yes and some no. For my understanding the regulations does not prohibit this. I do hear it is just "customary" to not wear them. Your thoughts.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2015 1:08 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 13:08:41 -0500

I stopped wearing my marksmanship and other qualification badges since I became a Warrant. I heard the same "customary" things you did, and it doesn't bother me at all.

Response by CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret) made Oct 21 at 2015 2:43 AM

CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret) — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 02:43:08 -0400

No, don't wear them. Not prohibited, just not customary.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2015 10:13 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 10:13:22 -0400

My thoughts are 1. did you earn it? 2. Is it authorized by regulation? If the answer to both is yes, and you wish to wear it, you should. O-grades telling us we shouldn't because it's customary not to need to articulate why or go away.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2015 1:35 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 Oct 2015 01:35:47 -0400

I was told not to as well. My fellow Warrants explained, "As officers, we are expected to be experts. The second that soldiers see that you're not, it's hard to build back up."

Response by CW3 Harvey K. made Jul 7 at 2016 4:46 PM

CW3 Harvey K. — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 16:46:21 -0400

As a prior Marine, I continued the tradition of the Corps, that every Marine (including the Commandant) was primarily a rifleman, qualified annually, and wore his qualification badge.
I admit I did not have a problem of "losing face" with the troops because I did not fire Expert. I wore my EIC badges for rifle and pistol.

Response by SFC Rick H made Jul 12 at 2016 5:26 PM

SFC Rick H — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 17:26:11 -0400

In today's Army, and with all of the shooting going on, I should think we might want to know who can hit their target on a good or bad day. For a Warrant or any Officer to now wear a marksmanship badge seems suspicious to me. If you don't want to wear it, who cares, don't wear it.

Response by CW4 Larry Curtis made Jul 18 at 2016 3:25 AM

CW4 Larry Curtis — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 03:25:55 -0400

Personal preference...if it isn't found in the regs where it says NOT to do so, then do it. However, I think you should probably consider whether or not you have requalified with the designated weapon on the badge. This may be another one of those "gray areas" but something in my gut tells me that if you haven't requalified that your initial qualification badge may not be valid. Just a thought.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2017 9:09 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Oct 2017 21:09:21 -0400

I didn't wear mine. Was told officers don't. The "in between" status of WOs is no more. But man, I really wanted to wear my USMC Sharpshooters badge! Preferred over the Expert badge.

Response by Barry Lewis made Oct 24 at 2017 8:36 PM

Barry Lewis — Tue, 24 Oct 2017 20:36:05 -0400

My Dad, he retired with 30 years in 1969 he was a ww2 ,Korean war and Vietnam vet he passed in 2008 .He was in the 82nd but he had both badges glider and paratrooper.My Dad was a Sargent major the last twelve years he was in the Army and worked at Fort Belvoir outside of Washington DC for combat development their unit patch was a white arrow head with a blue Star in the middle.

Response by Barry Lewis made Oct 24 at 2017 8:37 PM

Barry Lewis — Tue, 24 Oct 2017 20:37:29 -0400

He was very proud to be a paratrooper all his life

Response by MSG Michael Lange made Oct 25 at 2017 6:24 PM

MSG Michael Lange — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 18:24:53 -0400

This is an interesting subject. I graduated from drill sergeant school a long, long time ago with a fellow staff sergeant who eventually earned a commission. After he showed up with his new bars, I noticed that he no longer had his drill sergeant patch on his BDU's. I asked him why, and he said he couldn't wear it because it was "an enlisted award." One day, a battalion sergeant major asked him the same question and got the same response. This time, however, the CSM quoted him the AR that specifically allowed officers to continue wearing the drill sergeant ID. So the new lieutenant's answer was switched to "Well, it's just not customary." Go figure.

Response by SFC Joseph Lumpkins made Oct 25 at 2017 6:54 PM

SFC Joseph Lumpkins — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 18:54:53 -0400

That is a good question and I have a former PFC that is now a CW5 and I will ask her that question.

Response by MAJ Bill Riddle made Oct 25 at 2017 9:05 PM

MAJ Bill Riddle — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 21:05:03 -0400

Former WO, retired major, I never wore "shootin' badges" until I went to work as a Marine civilian and attended a dining in (Marine term is mess night). When in Rome...

Response by Lt Col David Nadeau made Oct 25 at 2017 10:56 PM

Lt Col David Nadeau — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 22:56:14 -0400

Sounds eerily familiar to AF leadership telling prior enlisted officers they shouldn't wear their ribbons on short or long sleeve blue shirts. It's not prohibited by our AFI 36-2903 and we earned them... I wore mine anyway just to push their buttons.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2017 12:26 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 12:26:57 -0400

According to the regs they are authorized wear no matter the rank I've seen. So if u earned it. Go for it. I wouldn't in ceremonial dress.

Response by MAJ Daniel Hammond made Oct 26 at 2017 5:20 PM

MAJ Daniel Hammond — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 17:20:43 -0400

AR 670-1 and DA Pam 670-1 make no distinction about wear of such badges EXCEPT for wear of the German Marksmanship Award (Schuetzenschnur) is authorized for wear only by enlisted personnel. Officers may accept, but may not wear, the Schuetzenschnur.

Response by SFC Romeo Sirate made Oct 28 at 2017 12:29 AM

SFC Romeo Sirate — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 00:29:23 -0400

Those badges I guess will always be a part of your service record since they were awarded to you before you became a Warrant Officer, I met an Air Force NCO wearing a CIB and and Parachutist badge in his Air Force uniform, he enlisted in the Air Force after leaving the Army and he is entitled to wear them. I guess it's optional for you to wear them.

Response by CW5 Ranger Dave made Oct 28 at 2017 8:42 AM

CW5 Ranger Dave — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 08:42:51 -0400

Way back in the Dark Ages, my WOC TAC Officer, very senior CW4, explained as future Warrant Officers, we were expected to be an expert in all areas to include Marksmenship. Get rid of those BOLO badges! So mine is in a cigar box in the attic. But I sure wore everything else... Master Aviator Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, Pathfinder Torch, German Jump Wings, French Commando.

Response by CPL Vince Higgins made Feb 14 at 2018 1:30 AM

CPL Vince Higgins — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 01:30:49 -0500

I was with Pershing Missles
In germany in the mid 70s. I got whaT was called a pocket rocket some called it a pershung pickel. When i went back to the states i wasnt allowed to wear it on my class a uniform when i went fromthe field artillery to the single corps

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Feb 15 at 2018 11:25 PM

MSG John Duchesneau — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 23:25:52 -0500

If its not against the reg - you can wear it.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2018 4:41 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 16:41:34 -0500

No one has addressed the Driver's Badge specifically. Reasons of "everyone should be an expert" don't apply. Now, it's not particularly a high speed badge by any means, but it is earned. What is the opinion on Officers wearing it if he or she earned it while enlisted? It falls in the same category as the qualification badge in the regs.

Response by CW3 Michael Clifford made Jul 22 at 2018 5:47 PM

CW3 Michael Clifford — Sun, 22 Jul 2018 17:47:26 -0400

Chief, you earned it, you wear it. The hell with the O grades, the enlisted personnel (and the Os should) look at you as a technical expert in your career field. In part, your technical expertise is earned through the blood and toil of being an enlisted soldier. Your dress uniform should be a road map of your career.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2018 7:04 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 19:04:14 -0500

Me personally, I wear my mechanics badge as well as my w and a bar for drivers. They are permenent awards, just as any medal or ribbon earned. I agree that marksman badges change. With that, for my DA photo, I only wore permenent awards. Mechanic/Driver badges stayed, marksman I took off.

Response by CW3 Joseph Lawrence made Mar 3 at 2019 5:56 PM

CW3 Joseph Lawrence — Sun, 03 Mar 2019 17:56:39 -0500

Had this discussion with a Colonel while I was getting a photograph for my record. He began to chastise me for wearing a marksmanship badge and I informed him that the regulation pertaining to the wearing of marksmanship badges says "All"

Response by SFC Francisco Rosario made May 17 at 2019 1:13 PM

SFC Francisco Rosario — Fri, 17 May 2019 13:13:24 -0400

To be honest, i dont thnk i have seen anyone SSG or above wear a marksmanship badge.

Response by PO3 Jake Lucid made Jun 6 at 2019 10:42 AM

PO3 Jake Lucid — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 10:42:29 -0400

Im not a warrant- that said, should i return to service as a registered nurse ill wear my prior eblisted awards. Ive earned them and the right to display them.
I just wonder...if i can keep my CG cuttermans pin in the NG..lol

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 19 at 2019 1:38 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Sep 2019 13:38:56 -0400

You are a warrant officer. A CHIEF warrant officer. As a member of the guild, if you want to wear them, it's right. Who in their right mind** tells a warrant he's wrong about anything? Commissioned officers usually don't wear them, but they aren't warrants. I made post about that in another thread on this subject. You can wear them. It's not illegal, and in the case of a warrant, I would even encourage it. But yeah, officers of all persuasions customarily eschew the practice.

**Usually assumed to be O-6 and above, regardless of actual observed behavior.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 19 at 2019 11:07 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Sep 2019 23:07:34 -0400

Badges are very similar to evaluation reports. What isn’t there says as much as what is there.
If see someone without a marksmanship badge, I’m going to assume that the Soldier didn’t fire expert. Everyone is proud of the expert marksmanship badge. Few people where anything less with pride.
So to hide the fact that they aren’t an expert on the assigned weapon, a “custom” was created.

Response by 1stSgt Ed Espinoza made Sep 20 at 2019 1:19 AM

1stSgt Ed Espinoza — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 01:19:12 -0400

Wear your marksmanship badges with pride. If you are not proud of the badge you earned then practice and shoot better next time.

Response by CW3 Doyle Frost made Sep 20 at 2019 7:00 PM

CW3 Doyle Frost — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 19:00:14 -0400

Never wore mine, and don't remember seeing any of the "corps" wear them. Didn't really think it was appropriate. In our company, I was the Motor Officer, and had a policy of NO officer will drive themselves. They've enough to keep them occupied on any road trip, without having to worry about keeping their equipment on the trail or road. Even a three star general agreed with that policy when it was brought up to him, (unofficially,) when he visited our unit in the field, by a first lieutenant.
As far as the marksman badge, why do you want to "compete" with your troops? They deserve the right to the badges and or accouterments they have earned, without some warrant trying to show them up.

Response by MAJ Jim Cook made Sep 20 at 2019 7:47 PM

MAJ Jim Cook — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 19:47:57 -0400

You earned them, you wear them. Are you embrassed?

Response by COL Gil Richardson made Sep 20 at 2019 7:53 PM

COL Gil Richardson — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 19:53:55 -0400

In my 30 years of active duty, the only commissioned and warrant officers I ever saw wearing marksmanship badges had the Distinguished Marksmanship (gold colored, different from our silver ones) Badges. They were usually members of the AMU.

Response by SGT William Ingram made Sep 20 at 2019 8:05 PM

SGT William Ingram — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 20:05:29 -0400

That's kind of a tough one. Unless I was an expert say in the 203, and pistol as well, I would not really put it on.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2019 1:16 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 01:16:39 -0400

I have been told by several office friends that it is nothing more than a custom for offices to not wear marksmanship and drivers/mechanics badges. There is nothing in 670-1 ( that I can find) stating yes or no to wearing badges.

Response by CW2 Kenneth Sanborn made Sep 21 at 2019 1:03 PM

CW2 Kenneth Sanborn — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 13:03:34 -0400

Wear the marksmanship medal!!

Response by Cpl Rc Layne made Sep 22 at 2019 12:21 PM

Cpl Rc Layne — Sun, 22 Sep 2019 12:21:47 -0400

You won't see a Warrant Officer in the Marines not wearing their Marksmanship badges. Maybe it means more to us?

Response by SFC Keith Bailey made Sep 22 at 2019 11:35 PM

SFC Keith Bailey — Sun, 22 Sep 2019 23:35:53 -0400

You earn it , wear it . Pretty simple Chief ..

Response by SFC Familia Gonzalez made Sep 23 at 2019 11:58 AM

SFC Familia Gonzalez — Mon, 23 Sep 2019 11:58:59 -0400

I mean no disrespect, but who would wear a ‘drivers badge’ regardless of rank? I know that if you wore a drivers badge in any of the Infantry units I served with during my twenty year career, (79-99) the company would laugh you out of formation. Right, wrong, or indifferent, that was the culture. Yes, some wore them, but they were the exception... I was awarded one on Recruiting Duty, but never wore it... Again, not knocking those who take pride in wearing their Driver’s Badge, simply sharing my experience. The Marksmanship badge is a different story. However, just because you qualified expert in 2001, doesn’t mean you’re still authorized to wear a Expert Marksmanship badge the rest of your career, even though you barely qualified last time, no? I know this is a different topic, but I use to see it all the time. Guys wearing Expert, but barely qualified during the last Weapons Qualification range. As for officers wearing their prior service badges, if you earned them as an enlisted man, you’re authorized to wear them, regardless if you are now a officer. Having said that, some organizations (Field Grades) didn’t particularly like it, but I believe it was more of a professional jealousy issue, than a regulatory one...

Response by SSG Kenneth Ponder made Sep 23 at 2019 2:55 PM

SSG Kenneth Ponder — Mon, 23 Sep 2019 14:55:22 -0400

Basic Marksmanship Medal yes, should be mandatory. All others Hell no! CIB, yes Abn, yes throw the damn rest out you're starting to look like a damn christmas tree!

Response by LTC Joseph George made Sep 23 at 2019 5:15 PM

LTC Joseph George — Mon, 23 Sep 2019 17:15:23 -0400

Follow the regulations. Any Commissioned or Warrant Officer that cannot show his soldiers that they have areas in which they can improve upon (i.e. marksmanship and other badges), has little leadership capability. The "Unwritten Rules" do not exist and it is a cop out in enforcing the regulations. Wear your badges as you earned them. If they are not "Expert", you have improvements to be made. It shows your soldiers that you have capability to improve and they will help you succeed.

Response by SSG Timothy Lanham made Sep 23 at 2019 10:04 PM

SSG Timothy Lanham — Mon, 23 Sep 2019 22:04:15 -0400

The driver badge is a permanent award. Wear it The marksmanship badge has to be renewed annually. If you no longer carry a rifle take the badge off.

Response by MSgt Robert Klaus made Sep 23 at 2019 10:40 PM

MSgt Robert Klaus — Mon, 23 Sep 2019 22:40:46 -0400

I say that if it is authorized, and you earned it, you should wear it. We had an Engineer in my squadron with a similar situation. He was a former Navy Submariner, and wore his dolphins. That got a lot of questions and comments. Regulation said yes.

Response by SSG David Stafne made Sep 24 at 2019 1:38 AM

SSG David Stafne — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 01:38:25 -0400

I once had an argument with God about his policies and procedures, God shut me down. Then I had an argument with a Warrant Officer about their policies and procedures; experience taught me not to challenge their decision!

Response by LTC John Czarnecki made Sep 24 at 2019 8:59 AM

LTC John Czarnecki — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 08:59:40 -0400

I earned the Army Distinguished Rifleman Badge as a 1LT. I wore it on every class B or A uniform I ever wore thereafter... it's second in scarcity to only the Tomb Guard and Astronaut Badges.

Response by COL G Wade made Sep 24 at 2019 12:25 PM

COL G Wade — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 12:25:50 -0400

As far as the marksmanship badges are concerned, it was explained to me during OCS that those qualifications were a given as far as Commissioned and Warrant Officers were concerned. Being an E5 before getting OCS orders, I wore those badges up until I reported. And never again. I did however, continue to wear my GC ribbon. As an ARNG retiree, I wear my uniform for Memorial Day and Veterans day only, or for the occasional Military Ball. And the GC is often a discussion point.

Response by CWO3 Danny Vega made Sep 24 at 2019 12:55 PM

CWO3 Danny Vega — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 12:55:33 -0400

You wear what you earned or rate to wear in accordance with your respective service's uniform policy. If you shot a pizza box or toilet seat, then that's what you wear until you requalify for a higher marksmanship badge.

Response by SGM Major Stroupe made Nov 10 at 2019 5:32 PM

SGM Major Stroupe — Sun, 10 Nov 2019 17:32:53 -0500

Here's the rule of thumb I always used; if you are qualified to wear it, then wear it. If your Driver's Badge or Marksmanship Badge is out of date then remove it. Very simple.

Response by SSG Greg Morris made Dec 18 at 2019 10:54 AM

SSG Greg Morris — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 10:54:35 -0500

Never water down what you've earned to appease someone else's ego!

Response by SPC Vic Lusby made Feb 15 at 2020 8:42 AM

SPC Vic Lusby — Sat, 15 Feb 2020 08:42:29 -0500

Mr Cruz, A number of the leaders I looked up to were warrant officers. Though the units I was a member of we rarely wore our dress uniforms, I would further look up to a warrant showing a further expertise in a skill. I learned a lot from warrants during my Army days

Response by LTC James Washington made Mar 18 at 2020 10:20 PM

LTC James Washington — Wed, 18 Mar 2020 22:20:19 -0400

I always wore my expert pistol. I also could back it up anytime. LTC AR ret

Response by SFC William Ewing made Mar 20 at 2020 9:11 AM

SFC William Ewing — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 09:11:05 -0400

I was told by my LTC if you wear one ribbon you wear all the rest.
He had a marksman badge, and China service ribbon.
We were going to a function in Saigon back in 71. I was a new SP4 and for officers the uniform was khaki.
He had been enlisted prior to WWII and served in every conflict and was ready to retire. He received a ARCOM that day it was his second. He put it next to his letter of commendation signed by Patton.
We drove back to Long Binh after.
Medals were few for support people.
His statement you wear one you wear all of nothing. I noticed several other officers wore their weapons badges slso.
Sometime in the seventies in peace time I noticed officers stopped wearing them

Response by SGT Kyle Bickley made Mar 20 at 2020 1:36 PM

SGT Kyle Bickley — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 13:36:02 -0400

I really did carry if you wore a marksmanship badge. I believe officer need to wear them! Tells your troops that you have some idea how the rifle works and which way to point it.

Response by Cpl Rc Layne made Mar 20 at 2020 3:09 PM

Cpl Rc Layne — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 15:09:30 -0400

Why would you even ask? You won't see a single Marine Warrant or Commissioned Officer not wearing theirs.

Response by Sgt Ed Allen made Aug 16 at 2020 6:28 PM

Sgt Ed Allen — Sun, 16 Aug 2020 18:28:43 -0400

Forgive my ignorance. What in the heck is a "drivers" badge? I hear the Army has all kinds of awards that Marines never dreamt of.

Enlighten me.

Response by PFC David Gettman made Dec 11 at 2023 9:32 AM

PFC David Gettman — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 09:32:37 -0500

My dad always wore his Distinguished Marksman's Badge, when he was an enlisted man/NCO, as a warrant officer, and as a commissioned officer. He was wearing it when he was buried 40 years ago.

Response by CW5 Jeff Moore made Dec 18 at 2023 12:34 PM

CW5 Jeff Moore — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 12:34:14 -0500

I served proudly served for more than 34 years with much of the time in Command Group environments and on the days we wore our dress uniforms, I was never asked where my weapons or enlisted badges I've earned were. I never wore them. My choice.