Why don't officers wear marksmanship badges?

I used to wonder the same thing, and was told it is just the culture. I know reading the regulation, there was nothing that prohibited it, and I was proud that I qualified expert, so I normally wore mine.

I did however remove them for my last official photo as I was told by the people at the General Officer Management Office (GOMO) that it would be frowned upon to wear it and see it in a board file.

Officers can and in the units I served in most did. Best we could figure there were two reasons they didn't. This was later confirmed by an OCS butter bar that was a great leader. 1: for what ever reason the officer missed qualification day at the range. Rare but it did happen, and trust me the enlisted did notice. 2 the officer simply didn't qualify. One worse they did qualify but only at marksman or as a sharpshooter. Once again the enlisted noticed. If they were too proud to ware marksman or sharpshooter. The enlisted really noticed, and that was sure to get talked about. It's one thing to not be able to shoot it's really bad when you can't shoot and refuse to own that fact. A leader that shot marksman, and when asked about it said something like. It looks like I need to put more range time in and get a few pointers from ( insert random private that shot expert name) and then did put in the training time in and shot expert next time

Just wondering, when officers get their official military photographs, must they wear those marksmanship awards? In the 70s enlisted had to be in complete uniform, including all awards listed in their milpo file.

I was an officer in the Air Force, so I know that this doesn't necessarily apply directly, but since much of the military culture of the Air Force was derived, at least indirectly, from our Army forebears, it might prove useful to share. In the Air Force, officers are discouraged from wearing our ribbons on our "blues," what I believe in the Army is called the Class B uniform. The rationale was that as officers, we already have a position of authority over the enlisted personnel, and that we should avoid seeming as though there is some kind of contest between the officers and the NCOs. The enlisted personnel, we were told, should have the opportunity show off their accomplishments with pride, without concern for potentially being "shown up" by the officers. You could argue that the average lieutenant wouldn't have much to show off, so why not let them wear their ribbons, but that was the rationale. Is it possible that the same rationale might apply to the marksmanship devices in the Army?

In a command role an officers accuracy was in his/her leadership role. The ability to put a bullet on target would be a plus more the officers own self survival in close combat. So as to say an average dog face knowing an officers firearm qualifications would be moot compared to his/her combat training and leadership skills.

I know I am in the minority, but I will call it out for what it is to me. The Army Uniform is so fracking gaudy looking it doesn't need extra merit badges, trinkets and other foolish stuff on it. What is the purpose of an epaulette? It sure isn't designed for tacky unit crests and green felt leadership tabs. If we are going to wear Berets, use that damn epaulette for what the rest of the planet uses them for, stuff your head gear in them. You throw one real hand grenade and people seem to think you can wear that one forever. Drivers Badge: you went a year without an accident now you get a merit badge. Does a Blue Cord and plastic backing make you a better Infantry person? The meaning behind it is diluted to the point where it has little to no value. Regimental Crests: Why are people assigned to a regiment that has not fracking thing to do with the actual unit they are in? Okay I am off of my soap box.

"The range?! No time, these slides are due!"

There are apparently different interpretations among the services. I always wore my Expert Rifle and Expert Pistol awards (bottom row). But then again, I was both an E5 and an O5. Cant find the image of me wearing my Excellence in competition Bronze medal from All Navy Rifle and Pistol competitions.

That may be the case in some services. I always wore my Expert Pistol and Rifle ribbons (bottom row). I cant find the image of my also wearing my All Navy bronze medal.

I can't answer for the Army; however, I can answer for the Coast Guard. We're only required to wear the top three highest medal or ribbons and if you have qual badges only two. However, when dressed in Bravos, Whites, or Mess Dress if you got it wear it. When someone is wearing the aforementioned uniforms, you will find marksmanship medals. I do not think I have ever seen a Marine Officer or Enlisted w/o their marksmanship medals. Frankly, we're an armed service, all of us and our marksmanship medals indicate just how deadly we can be if necessary. It means you can handle "the tool" adequately, the primary tool of your trade.