Posted on Oct 31, 2014
Why don't officers wear marksmanship badges?
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The day I turned my chevrons in for gold bars I noticed something. All the officers I've ever seen never wore marksmanship badges in dress uniforms. I just assumed they were unauthorized for officers and removed it voluntarily. I honestly never desired to wear the badge (probably because I was only ever a sharpshooter), but I haven't found any documentation specifically preventing officers from wearing them. Do you think officers should wear them?
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 764
I would love to hear the story behind the LOM. His NCOPDR doesn't have a numeral, so I doubt he was busted down from CSM. I've heard of PVTs getting MSMs, but I've only witnessed very senior leaders earning a LOM.
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Just tradition. Who knows why it started? Because some new 2LT couldn't shoot expert or could get everything lined up right? Or because his commander told him/her that you are expected to be an expert in leading and managing your Soldiers and the chaos of the battlefield and not to wear marksmanship badges.
The real question is what does to mean to others superiors, peers, and subordinates? Looking back at my transition from enlisted through OCS to commissioning, I had the same question. My assumption (being IN) was that the standard for officers is to shoot expert, score 300 on the PT test, and be an expert in all facets of your job. Lead the way. Set the example. Unfortunately, it seems we have gotten away from officers being technical experts. Not their fault. The Army gets what it wants. When there is one year between deployments and/or the leadership is stripped out to do advise and assist missions - expertise like we used to have is lost. Can they be worn -yes. Should they be worn - you decide what is appropriate. I just hope that you are an expert. MG Miller's goal mentioned by 2LT Mayo below is a great goal. But it needs to be approached with caution. If the requirement is for everyone to be an expert. Then everyone will be an expert, no matter what it takes. Remember the pencil qualifications? And STRAC gets a vote too.
The real question is what does to mean to others superiors, peers, and subordinates? Looking back at my transition from enlisted through OCS to commissioning, I had the same question. My assumption (being IN) was that the standard for officers is to shoot expert, score 300 on the PT test, and be an expert in all facets of your job. Lead the way. Set the example. Unfortunately, it seems we have gotten away from officers being technical experts. Not their fault. The Army gets what it wants. When there is one year between deployments and/or the leadership is stripped out to do advise and assist missions - expertise like we used to have is lost. Can they be worn -yes. Should they be worn - you decide what is appropriate. I just hope that you are an expert. MG Miller's goal mentioned by 2LT Mayo below is a great goal. But it needs to be approached with caution. If the requirement is for everyone to be an expert. Then everyone will be an expert, no matter what it takes. Remember the pencil qualifications? And STRAC gets a vote too.
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we've been at war for 15 years and that's all you guys have to cry about (green to gold officer speaking here)
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LtCol J W
I am sure that green to gold is strictly an Army term, but why didn't you get a better job? Physicians asst isn't much of a leadership position, so how can you comment on something you probably know little about! Let these sojers bitch awhile! That's what most military guys do. Trouble is that some have little;e real experience to qualify on some of the subjects about which they bitch!
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CPT Joseph Justice
"leadership" ain't what it was when you were on the Pusan Perimeter. It's more of a social worker job now and I did get a better job after years in that hot mess.
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I was such a lousy marksman the instructor told me just to carry one bullet for myself.
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i feel that if you earned the badge or badges then you should wear it on your uniform. be proud of what you accomplished in the military. i've earned numerous badges and ribbons during my 24 years of military service and i proudly display them on my uniform and in my self-made shadow box i having hanging on the wall in our family den,
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It was explained to me that officers are not to present themselves as superior nor inferior to the Soldiers there are leading. Therefore, marksmanship badges are not worn. The expectation is that officers can shoot, but their ability to lead is not tied directly to their shooting ability. A sharpshooter badge may lower the confidence others have in the officer. As officers we always strive to exceed the standard, and it is expected we do, from shooting to physical fitness, but that we don't flaunt it.
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The badges get caught on the Sam Browne belt.
Also, they are hard to align if you have more than one as they are different sized. Lieutenants were known to spend hours with a ruler trying to line up expert, sharpshooter and marksman. To save time, Lieutenants were forbidden to own rulers, thus officers don't wear marksmanship badges.
Also, they are hard to align if you have more than one as they are different sized. Lieutenants were known to spend hours with a ruler trying to line up expert, sharpshooter and marksman. To save time, Lieutenants were forbidden to own rulers, thus officers don't wear marksmanship badges.
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Obviously yall are the same pos's that I had in my time!!! Learn how to shoot you fuck head!!! Don't expect your 12. 6. 3. 9. To have piece shit
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