Why don't officers wear marksmanship badges?

Maybe that's where we got the tradition of officers not wearing marksmanship badges.

Ssgt, you are full of shit!

Amen to that, LtCol G B.

CPT - Well said ! I've seen a whole host of guys from various branches and services quoting regs on here that evolved over time. I followed what the "uniform of the day" was and wore my badges accordingly. That was modified but what either my Company CO, Battalion CO, or Brigade CO wanted us to wear, and if there was a particular event we were to attend that day or evening. I admit, I like "shiny". I was an infantry draftee and qualified on a whole host of weapons before graduating from Armor OCS and getting an M1911A1 (and my own ancient 45 cal. "grease gun" in my tank). The 60s in Germany was a different time ! I have all 3 marksmanship badges (because as a grunt, in those days, that was "cool" ) and wore all 3 when in Officer dress greens. None of my commanders ever said: "What ? Are you kidding me ?" We learned the importance of where each and every badge and award went on our uniforms during OCS and were "gigged" for any minor errors, and I never forgot that. Today, like you, it probably doesn't matter. Then, as a nineteen year old Officer during the Cold War and Viet Nam, it mattered a LOT !

So, basically you are lazy and not proud of wearing your uniform correctly. outstanding lack of leadership!

For many years there was a lesser grade of Class As for enlisted that were not offered with officers stripes. For the most part, enlisted wore khakis and officers wore the permanent press TWs. Cav wears campaign hats, and until usurped by the rangers, independent armor and armored cav wore black berets. There have always been many uniform variations, with the combat arms guys always having more options for hanging merit badges on their uniforms, though I will submit in many ways, the many technical MOS' have requirements at a minimum, at least as tough anything combat arms does, and in some cases, very demanding. Those folks don't get to hang badges that are specific to their jobs on their uniforms, but will get judged whether they wear badges that are really quals for grunts and airborne/air assault. Very few ever qualified for the Army nuclear power plant operator badges, and it is much harder to qualify as an Army diver, much less a master diver, than any infantry badge.

CPT (Join to see) - Great contribution to the discussion. Tell me again how choosing not to wear an item that is not required makes me lazy or not proud. I was enlisted first and was very proud when I finally qualified expert on the M16, after a significant struggle to master the fundamentals. As a leader, I recognize what I do and do not bring to the table, in expertise and experience. My abilities as a marksman have had exactly zero impact on my effectiveness as an officer and a leader. There are many officers whose marksmanship has made a difference in combat, for better or worse, but it is certainly not the basis of a commission nor should it be.

I humbly await your personal anecdote that proves me wrong, that your commission was based in great part on your marksmanship, and how that has come to bear as a significant impact in your effectiveness as an officer.

If the Army sees fit to require officers to wear marksmanship badges, I will happily embrace it. But the Army has not, and I do not for a second believe that to be a deliberate or conspiratorial matter based on some desire for officers to hide in shame for lacking in ability.

PO2 - b.s. ! I can shoot with either hand, any weapon you chose. I'm a natural "leftie" which makes it even harder for me as all of the Army's weapons are right-handed. Drove my D.I. in basic crazy, as I could switch hands and be just as accurate. Learned to shoot at nine on my Uncles farm. Stop spreading gossip !

Stopped wearing bolo badges when pinned a WO1, still wasn't wearing them when I retired as a CW4 24 years later. The day I retired, I could still shoot expert with an M9 with either hand, but had dropped of to sharpshooter with an M16 as the eyes got older and not as quick to identify dark green targets in the shadows on a pop up range at 300 meters in my late 50's. Don't get to use the leupold scope on an M16 to compensate for aging eyes. Not wearing a bolo badge on the very infrequent times I wore Class As, or Dress Blues had no bearing on whether I could shoot or not.