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?
Officer
Uniforms
Marksmanship
Badges
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 770
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A few points on officers and marksmanship badges.
- Authority to wear. No reg that I am aware of that prohibits officers from wearing marksmanship badges.
- Culture. Officer culture is not to wear markmanship badges.
- Logic 1. NCO domain is individual while officer domain is collective generally speaking. One reason why officers are armed with pistols rather than rifles is because our primary weapon is a radio and our primary purpose is to integrate and synchronize a fight (lead it) rather than to be an individual Soldier in the fight. This logic might be the driver on the culture that I note above.
- Logic 2. Tied to above but what good is officer who is an expert shooter but who can not provide purpose, motivation, and direction to his/her formation? Can/should officers be experts on the weapons and systems within their formations? Yes but their focus should be on integrating and synchronizing these weapons and systems. Enlisted and NCOs should be the experts on the individual weapon or systems employment.
- Authority to wear. No reg that I am aware of that prohibits officers from wearing marksmanship badges.
- Culture. Officer culture is not to wear markmanship badges.
- Logic 1. NCO domain is individual while officer domain is collective generally speaking. One reason why officers are armed with pistols rather than rifles is because our primary weapon is a radio and our primary purpose is to integrate and synchronize a fight (lead it) rather than to be an individual Soldier in the fight. This logic might be the driver on the culture that I note above.
- Logic 2. Tied to above but what good is officer who is an expert shooter but who can not provide purpose, motivation, and direction to his/her formation? Can/should officers be experts on the weapons and systems within their formations? Yes but their focus should be on integrating and synchronizing these weapons and systems. Enlisted and NCOs should be the experts on the individual weapon or systems employment.
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SFC Timothy Ross
SGT Larry Benson - Used to be the Platoon SGT job and the LT would be moving with squads, because the PLT SGT has the most experience. Some where between 1975 to 1986 This was reversed. Seemed really stupid and actually was. But that was then not sure what you all are doing now a days.
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SMSgt Ds Martin
Capt Jeff S. - It seems to me that this would be something that would earn respect from any and all regardless if the wearer was Commissioned or NCO. Same for jump badge, aircrew wings, medical badge etc. If the person has earned the badge/medal/ribbon/award, extra cred points for them.
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MAJ Joseph James
Well said sir. My NCO's used to joke that we didn't wear them because we couldn't hit the broadside of a barn. PS I always was an expert thanks to a great MP drill SGT in my early career.
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Before my enlistment in the Army, I served in the Marine Corps. The Corps has a principle that every Marine, regardless of rank or MOS, is first and foremost a rifleman. That principle of universality of primary duty extends all the way to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, who shows the way by firing for qualification with all the other Marines under his command.
After my appointment as a Warrant Officer in the Army, I continued the tradition of the Corps, and wore my rifle and pistol badges proudly. I could not help but think that my fellow officers were either non-qualifiers, or ashamed of their low level of skill with the primary tools of our Military.
After my appointment as a Warrant Officer in the Army, I continued the tradition of the Corps, and wore my rifle and pistol badges proudly. I could not help but think that my fellow officers were either non-qualifiers, or ashamed of their low level of skill with the primary tools of our Military.
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SSgt David M.
I was proud to wear all my badges and awards. My Late Dad (CWO3) wore his badges and awards on all his uniforms. He was acting CO at his last duty station prior to Retirement in 1969. I always wanted to follow in my Dad's footsteps but soon became disenchanted with the way promotions were handed out. I do not regret my time serving in the US Army, US Army Reserve or the US Air Force Reserve. Here is my late Dad's retirement photo. I Salute All My Fellow Veterans!!! GOD Bless America!!!
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LTC Peter Leonard
I too served as an enlisted Marine prior to WO?CWO in the Army and the CO in the army, Always wore mine................
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SPC Matthew Birkinbine
Cpl Dick Reinbold some of the best leaders I’ve known and worked with are former Marines.
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I see this as being an additional disconnect between Officers and Enlisted. The bottom line is that we are all Soldiers and the badges represent the maintaining of our Soldier skills.
Perhaps it is time to break the recent tradition of Officers not wearing the skill badges that we have all earned as one Army.
Perhaps it is time to break the recent tradition of Officers not wearing the skill badges that we have all earned as one Army.
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LTC Ernest Edge
BG Donald Currier Yes sir! It has been only recently (after 2007?) that the Army followed the playbook of the Marines in that we are all trained as Infantry first before going in the our respective MOS training. As such it is imperative that our skills are maintained The modern battlefield is not linear with the front being “over there”. Officers need to maintain the ability to not just lead, but to fight.
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CW4 Peter McHugh
One would then want to ask whether officers should also wear their enlisted earned "mechanics" skills or other such badges???
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CW5 Roger Jacobs
CW4 Peter McHugh - good point! Some of these qualification badges fall in precedence if you have wings and combat badges, things like weapons qualification, Recondo, mechanics badges just don't make the cut.
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CW4 Peter McHugh
Hooorah .... for some of us, there just isn't room ........ but worn or not, pride never fades!
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