Warrant Officers wearing Marksmanship and/or Drivers Badge?

SSG Timothy Lanham - I had the opportunity to have several different combat patches, so I used them all on different uniforms, was asked once by a newer officer, why I change them and how many different ones I am authorized to wear. my response was similar to, don't remember sir, but I remember the soldiers I served with.

Wear it you earned it

While it has been a long time since I was on active duty it seems to me that wearing the combat patch is something you always wear once earned. The last combat assignment takes precedence so even if you served in a different unit you liked better, too bad. Some people served entire careers without ever having to make that choice but I don't recall that choice being debatable. Last combat unit served is the combat patch you wear. Don't mix emotions with the right thing to do.

1SG John Millan - I actually did a lot of homework with what was allowed and not. The only participation ribbon I wore was the Air Force Training ribbon which is akin to the same for passing army basic. My expert marksman ribbon was not allowed as the Army has it's own badge for that. During my Air Force Days you actually had to earn your qualification badge for your AFSC. it was not a given. I earned mine Top and I wore it with pride in both uniforms. when I went to a board in the Army the only questions to my uniform called up were why I had an Air Force Achievement medal and an Army Commendation medal which I answered honestly.

MSG Lonnie Averkamp - Indeed they did! But they were and are much better warriors than I was or am.

PFC Scott O'Connor I think what he meant was that you’re not actively on jump status, which would also be a bunch of malarkey because like I said earlier once you earn the qualification badge you have it forever.

I heartily agree, sir. MAJ(P) (Join to see)

Also, why listen to the O grades talk out of their @$$.

I also wore my EIC badge. Hard to argue with someone who has a permanent order for a marksmanship badge !

I have elsewhere noted that this so-called "tradition" of officers not wearing marksmanship medals appears to be a recent invention. From the variety of responses engendered about this matter, it doesn't seem to be consistent over time, nor over the many units that comprise the Army.
That only casts doubt on the motives behind this supposed "custom" of officers. It leads to the suspicion that it is an excuse to avoid the embarrassment of officers who fail to do well on the range.

I’m glad to see my Army brothers have respect for uniform standards. If allowed to, those standards degrade beyond complacency. I was trained as a Marine Combat Photography Specialist. One of our loathsome tasks was the dreaded promotion photograph every Marine above the rank of Sergeant to Major General required for his/her promotion package. Honestly, the number of Marines who had no clue what they were supposed to wear on their uniform was astonishing. There may have been a good number that just couldn’t handle the professional pressure of “up or out!” Though that shouldn’t have mattered. They would always be almost lost when they stood up in front of our camera. I can’t tell you how many had ribbons on the wrong side, missing their rank for officers, the wrong shirt patch for enlisted, the General’s Aide putting rank on backwards, etc. etc. etc. You name it I’ve seen it. Those who brought in their Service Record Book (SRB) [Enlisted] and Officer Qualification Record (OQR) would almost always ask questions on what we thought and what they REQUIRED for their uniform. We were very helpful in preparing those Marines for their photos. The ones who were truly unprepared had huge egos and wouldn’t listen to anyone. I personally made a difference in a Marines selection for promotion or watched them burn themselves to the ground. It is that critical for a Marine to have their own uniform prepared for their promotion photograph. I would say it should be that way when ever a service member of these United States dawns a uniform - period!

Wore mine, even for my DA photo.