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’m not sure if there is any regulation saying whether they should or should not wear them.
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Optionable except for DOD Master file folder...ALL awards and decorations required.
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Way back in the Horse Cavalry I always told my CO, the Officers and Warrants over me that the reason Officers don't wear marksmanship badges is because they couldn't hit a cow in the ass with a snow shovel from a foot away! I had a 2LT from VMI, (who wasn't salty enough to know that a lowly SSG could have humor AND the respect of most of my Officers), that I had for the majority of them, and challenged me to a match!? I immediately had huge grin and a hard on and accepted! The CO, who had seen me shoot, advised him to forget it, of course he didn't. He chose the 16, 60, (we were an Aviation unit in Vietnam), and (God I love big egos), the Colt 45! My CO asked me to take it a bit easy on him, I sorta did EXCEPT for my beloved 45. Suffice it to say we Enlisted and most of the Officers won a lot of drinks that day! We all shared a lot of laughs and the CO, God Rest His Soul, forbade the Butter Bar to ever attempt to fire a 60 again!! It was fun and he became my very favorite Butter Bar and close friend! "You know who you are M.S. from Armor Branch!" GOD REST ALL THE FALLEN AND THE FORGOTTEN FROM ALL WARS! GOD SAVE OUR COUNTRY!!
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Yes. The uniforms the uniform. It shows pride and professionalism. Are officers ashamed of the fact they have weaknesses where strength is essential. Most officers are not really qualified in their MOS or real leadership. I remember a captain that was a Provost Marshal that had his college degree in botany. An officer needs to show they at least qualify as a sharpshooter. Less is not acceptable. I can show more respect for a junior grade enlisted any time just by experience alone. Forget the dining ins and other political games that are player. As an NCO I was expected and required to maintain a level of expertise passing it on to junior enlisted soldiers to be carried on for future troops that get the job done. Officers may be required only to a certain level. There are to many and at least 75% or more should be RIFD and place NCOS in those position that can do a better job and cost taxpayers a lot less in wages and benefits afforded to those that can't qualify up to standards.
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One of two reasons:
It's not cool and officers have to be cool.
They can't shoot worth a shit.
It's not cool and officers have to be cool.
They can't shoot worth a shit.
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I had a funny experience with a Major with a Ranger Tab. While I was the Operation’s NCO (S-3), of an Infanty Battalion we had a weapons qualification. When I left the firing line this Major with a big smile came up to me and said, “I just shot a 39 out of 40, how did you shoot?” I smil;ed back and showing him my target said, “thanks commendable Sir , I shot a 40 out of 40.” The Major, which by the way was a really nice guy and we were friends, frowned and returned to the firing line two more times but shot a lower score. I guess he felt that it wasn’t right in his world for a Long Tab to shoot better than a Short Tab. It was hilarious.
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Maybe in the army, but in the Marine Corps they do. Then again, we don't have the cultural gap between officer and enlisted like the other services do. We are collectively Marines whether you are a PFC or a GO. Additionally, NCOs/SNCOs fill many billets in the Corps that are filled by officers in the other services and a much lower officer to enlisted ratio.
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Suspended Profile
This obviously an Army thing, all Marines generally wear earned shooting badges. Some officers opt out, likely because they have “pizza boxes”...marksman.
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