Why don't officers wear marksmanship badges?
Yes, regulation states if you're awarded it you can wear it, there is no mention of rank. Yes, the culture is that no one wears it (including in DA Photos). You are in violation of no policy that I know of by wearing your marksmanship badges as an officer.
We are not experts in everything. It is my opinion that we are to be "jacks/jills of all trades." The only exceptions to that are the specialty branches (JAG, AV, Medical, etc.). It is true that we are leaders/managers, but if we weren't intended to fire anything short of a pistol, combat arms units wouldn't have a carbine for every officer in the battalion, including the battalion commander (except the field surgeon and physician's assistant). Now... if you're a Combat Service Support officer, I suppose something is wrong if you're picking up a weapon, but you never know.
There's also mention of wearing badges because of award in other services, and I would point those people to AR 670-1, 22-12c "...Marksmanship badges from other U.S. Services are not authorized for wear on the Army uniform."
The thinking then goes, if it is in the 201, and it is is worn on the class A uniform, not to wear it showed laziness on the part of the soldier, and the lack of attention to detail that is desired. Thus enlisted soldiers wear all awards and decorations reflected in the 201.
Before you ask - they are not listed on the ERB, which is the document we now compare to the photo.
Are marksmanship badges just like diamonds and are forever? | RallyPoint
I have seen a discussion about the wear of marksmanship badges. I might have a different perspective of this. Regulation states: AR 600-8-22 8–47. U.S. Army Basic Marksmanship Qualification Badges a. A basic marksmanship qualification badge is awarded to indicate the degree in which an individual, military or civilian, has qualified in a prescribed record course and an appropriate bar is furnished to denote each weapon with which he or she...
He does have wings they are just not visible due to the camera angle...
Lt. Col. Charles Kettles | Medal of Honor Recipient | U.S. Army
The official U.S. Army website for Lt. Col. Charles Kettles, awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic acts during the Vietnam War as a UH-1D helicopter pilot.
1. It was a soldiers task, not one for an officer, since officer's had the pistol, the sword and horsemanship (except in the Cavalry).
2. Army leaders considered that soldiers needed something that was strictly 'their own'.
3. Officers were lousy shots :D just kidding.