Why don't officers wear marksmanship badges?

yes you can tell the sniper in Dallas was not a great shot to have only killed 5 out of twelve I would not have missed any not bragging just a fact and I only use hr17 but my weapon is for defense of me and my family not offense .and shells are really cheap but placed in the right death is just as instant like riding a bicycle once you know how you never forget Viet Nam 65 thur 68 us army

Because the badge means nothing? Seriously, I remember hearing NCO's tell theor Joes in the 82nd "no one wears marksmen in the 82nd, change your badge". If it's so important, it would be required by regulation. Its not. So who really cares? I see all of these opinions from all ranks. The LT asked a question. Answer with facts. This site has become the FB of the military where opinion and sense of social jusice is expressed freely. All of you outside of the Army, this is a non issue for you and number of fucks given about your opinion is 0.0. All of you in the Army, for or against, who cares? Your social media warrior capability will not effect change.

I'm not an O, but my father was comissioned through Air Force OTS during a time when airmen were authorized to wear all or none of their ribbons on service dress. He said the newly minted LTs were advised not to display their ribbons because it would only serve to underscore their lack of experience in front of more highly decorated NCOs.

I can't help but think this same fear is at the heart of other commisioned customs which eschew personal military flair and put forth the idea that officers' competence is to be presumed by those they command.

In reality, joining a new unit as a butter-bar is probably one of the worst FNG experiences the military has to offer. Not only does everyone expect you to be useless, but you have no opportunity to keep your head down. Your job description is basically to learn by mistake in front of an anappreciative audience until you gain enough experience to organize a larger unit. It's totally understandable how young officers might worry about the effect of personal decorations while trying to weather their first commands.

Question: Looking at the uniform in the photo above, how do you tell the difference between a soldier who was actually in the unit when it was awarded the PUC from the new guys who get it as sort of a freebie?

Great topic. This can be viewed in many ways.

"expected to be experts" term....Gentlemen, you are experts. Now, Ruck up, spread out and move forward.

Non commissioned Officers set the example

Because Officers are supposed to be experts at everything. No sense in proving you can't hit the broad side of a barn.

Don't know why but in the Air Force after I was commissioned I wore my ribbon with one device signifying qualifying expert on two weapons. Never looked at other officers but in Security Police we definitely wanted all to know. Nothing we made any deal of but when you are going to the range as often as we did I didn't see a reason not to wear it.

I agree with the Colonel (Smallfield), for there are Officers whom are "Expert Snipers". Officers lead, while soldiers fight. In case of need, Officers will pick up a weapon and become a soldier but their primary function is to Lead men and women into the Fight. There is no need for Officers to showcase their ability to fire down-range, but it is essential that Officers know which soldier can do a far better job in firing down-range among the enlisted rank. Officers should NOT wear their ability to fire any weapon, such knowledge is a given that they can...