Why don't officers wear marksmanship badges?

After reading the comments I'll throw in my retired two cents for what it's worth. I spent the vast majority of my career as an Infantryman. In an Infantry platoon everyone wants to know that their leaders are physically fit and can shoot (among other things). Enlisted men in the Infantry would like to see how their PL or CO shoots. They already know, but excluding it from your uniform is almost like hiding your PT score from Soldiers. An Infantry leader or any Army leader needs to leads from the front and at the very basic be able to out PT and out shoot most of your platoon/company. Soldiers want to see leaders who are physically fit and can shoot. One of our basic duties as a Soldier E-1 or O-9 is to shoot. If you leave IBOLC and can't shoot expert get with your new platoon and hit the range to be a better shot. Your great shots can coach and train you to be an expert. Don't hide the fact that you're not an expert and learn to shoot better. Lead from the front by setting the example. Not wearing your marksmanship badges gives the appearance that officers can't shoot and/or are hiding that fact. Wear your marksmanship badges in front of your Soldiers good or bad then thrive to better yourself instead of hiding it. This will get you more respect with your soldiers.

Depends on the unit.
When I was in the Airborne unit, all who had qualified wore their "bolo" badge.
When I went SF, we all, officers included, had to qualify "expert" every year (at least in my group), so it was not necessary to show the "bolo" badge on our "class A's". Our Special Forces Tab said it all.

Reminds me of my time in the Corps as a well deployed and traveled Marine Combat Vet ....Our newly minted butter bar Lt. fresh out of Quantico.... Made a comment about my Army Jump Wings being off centered (they weren't and neither was my Rifle Expert Badge...) and my C.A.R. Ribbon being dingy (it wasn't)...I made the fatal mistake of responding..."I'll be sure to get them as squared away as your "pizza box" (3rd Class Rifle Badge) Sir"...I thought I saw a blood vessel burst in his eyeball! Lol....after that SSgt. made sure...I got every shit working party and assignment under that jack off's command....It was worth it though, especially a year later when we all went to re-qual in Okinawa, I re-qual'd Expert and he ended up only upgrading to a Maltese Cross (Second Class)! Lol...But yeah, that's how much the freaking Rifle Qual Badge means in the Marine Corps...whether you lay down lead on an MG Crew, Sling Arty, Bake the Commandants B-Day Cakes or Shoot down Migs in your F-35....the Rifle Marksmanship Badge ain't everything on the Uniform...It's the only thing...We don't have a "Soldiers, Sailors, or Marines Creed, we have The....

Rifleman's Creed (Prayer)

"This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. Without me my rifle is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than the enemy who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me. I will. My rifle and I know that what counts in war is not the rounds we fire, the noise of our burst, or the smoke we make. We know that it is the hits that count. We will hit.

My rifle is human, even as I am human, because it is my life. Thus, I will learn it as a brother. I will learn its weaknesses, its strengths, its parts, its accessories, its sights and its barrel. I will keep my rifle clean and ready, even as I am clean and ready. We will become part of each other.

Before God I swear this creed. My rifle and I are the defenders of my country. We are the masters of our enemy. We are the saviors of my life.


So be it, until victory is America's and there is no enemy."

-Amen

officers wearing a markmanship badge is kinda like a poog wearing a grenade markmanship badge,,, although I will comment... some of the officers couldn't pass the grenade range. and don't be super impressed with officer rank... ask their NCO sidekick before you drool

I will push the easy button on this. Because they can’t shoot and they do not want to be embarrassed.

Back in my time we called them bolo badges. Unless it has changed AR670-1 stated that it was a temporary award since it could change whenever you had to requalify. Temporary awards do not ( or at least did not then ) have to be worn. If regulation has not changed nobody is required to wear marksmanship badges. Drivers badges would be required because it is a permanent award. Check that out because if it wasn't optional for all it wouldn't be optional for any no matter the rank.

Because they are ashamed of their lack of prowess with a weapon!!!!! V/R, MSG Ret.

Depends on the traditions of your branch of service. General David H. Berger, Commandant of the Marine Corps.

I was only a medic and when deployed was the most I had used my rifle and didn't qualify with a pistol until trainup but I believe that officers should not only proficient with all the weapons that their soldiers use but should wear the qual badges so that it instills confidence in their soldiers that they are competent with said weapons. The reasoning behind my opinion is that in iraq not only were our platoon leaders relaying orders from the battle captain but they were right there participating in the fight where they were needed as well. Not sure how other guard units in other states operated but that is how we operated in Vermont and our unit was told we set the standard for operations for the iraq and afghanistan theater.
Signing off, Sgt. James "doc" Morrissette

I enlisted and became a Sergeant before earning my commission. I did wear my marksmanship badge as an officer because I fired Expert and was proud of that. Also wore my German Army Schutzenschnur as well.