Why don't officers wear marksmanship badges?

IN THE MARINE CORPS OFFICERS WEAR THEIR MARKSMANSHIP BADGES

I’m a little surprised by the comments from some of the officers on this subject. By saying it’s tradition to not wear them does not make sense. When we had to take our DA photos for the promotion boards, we had to have everything on that uniform that was on out 201 file. When an officer that is x-enlisted takes their photo, do they wear the badges? One the other hand, if they were awarded the Good Conduct Medal as a enlisted soldier, do they stop wearing it because it’s not awarded to officers?

Ifyou have it where it...

My wife who's an officer said its because the duties require them to lead the squads and not as an individual soldier. Thought this was a bs excuse, but the O culture runs with it, even in SF.

It is a interesting discussion for sure. My first thought is that all soldiers should display their proficiency in a giving skill to earn the respect of their rank. Second in the past many officers led from the front. I know this has changed especially at the higher levels, but every enlisted soldier has a special level of respect for his officer that he follows who demonstrators confidence along with humility by leading from the front. In short show those you lead that you can do what your asking them to do.

If they earned it, why not?

Because the basic marksman badge is laughed at in the Infantry.

Until my eyes went totally south, I always shot expert, but never wore marksmanship badges because someone told me it's not done. Well and good. I always figured that my soldiers were my weapon. Nonetheless, I always carried a rifle when in action. And a sidearm. And a knife....maybe two. It never hurts to have backup.

One other thing I remember from my Army Days (Enlisted/Cadet (1974-1980) - Officer (1980 - 1988)) is that you have to qualify each year to wear a qualification badge. I qualified Expert in M-16, M-60, and Grenade as an MP. I qualified in Rifle in Officer Basic Course in 1980 and on the .45 Cal Pistol in 1981 at my first unit and never was in a unit that I had to qualify again. They were short .45 rounds in Korea (1982-1983) and did not want to waste them on qualification shooting; I was at MACOM level (1984-1987) at TRADOC HQ where I never saw BDU's, let alone a weapon; the Office Automation Course (1987); and was a floater awaiting my medical discharge at Fort Benjamin Harrison, IN (1988). So it isn't always that officers are not wearing their ribbons due to some Officer Corps Bushido, they are no longer qualified to wear them due to duty assignments.

Officers don't where their badges, for the simple fact that officers are in a management role, there for they handle everything in that Avenue. The old saying goes, Officers plan, NCO's Train, and the enlisted execute ...