Every Marine is a rifleman.

[mudwhistle]

I don't see how an officer can get out of having to go to the range the Marines pride themselves on this

I think once you get expert some folks are worried about not getting it again. So the brass shies away from having to take a lower badge if they have a bad day at the range.

It's one of the reasons I hate ocifers.

 

[The Professor]

I just dropped in to say Semper Fi.

The Professor - Former Radio-Telegraph Operator, 2nd ANGLICO (Air and Naval Gunfire Liaison Company). The Old Corps.

 

[Survivalist]

What bothers me is that no Marine or any other military person can carry his own firearm on base in America.

This idiotic rule was not around when George Washington was in charge. And it is not needed today.

Might be a good idea to allow any female that serves on base to arm themselves so there might not be so many rapes and assaults.

The Ft. Hood Islamo-facist shooter knew the security weakness of our bases, and was allowed to go on a long shooting spree knowing everyone but the MP's would be unarmed.

 

[Mushroom]

Awards on the chest previously earned are allowed for the duration of service.

Once earned always kept.

Weapons qualification badges are not medals nor are they awards.

So sue me. They qualify for ribbons that can be worn on the uniforms.

That is the Air Force and Navy. The Marine Corps does not have marksmanship ribbons.

Ribbons are earned, not something you "qualify" for (with the exception of the Air Force and Navy shooting ribbons).

And as an FYI, that is pretty much correct. Generally only Captain and below ("Company Grade Officers" qualify every year with a rifle. This is because they are the only ones in a position where they would be "in the trenches at the front line". Majors (staff positions) would be further back, not in the front lines. Lieutenant Colonels and Colonels will be running an entire Battalion or Regiment, so once again not in the trench with a rifle.

If my Battalion Commander had been plugging away with a rifle, I would hope that he would get relieved for being incompetent (or a gloryhounding SOB wanting to get a CAR). Having a Major or above plugging away with a rifle is like having the CEO cleaning sinks. I want them doing their job, not doing mine.

However, they do have to qualify every year with their assigned weapon, just like everybody else. And that is generally a pistol. I knew a lot of guys were jealous when I was in my Dress Blues, because at my first duty station we used rifles and pistols, so I had a rifle and pistol qualification badge where most only had the rifle.

And I have also seen a great many Majors and above out at the range. Our Detachment Commander (Colonel) qualified every year. Of course, he was also commander of the range, so I am sure arranging to qualify was a lot easier for him then for many Officers who would have to take a full week off of their usual work to qualify. He always shot first relay, and was back in his office before noon.

 

[Mushroom]

I haven't looked up the regs but during boards our awards had to be current. They might have exempted General officers but I don't remember any wearing them. They usually have too much else to wear other than weapons qual badges. That's like wearing the National Defense ribbon. You only have so much room on your chest.

In the Army, you qualify for a great many weapons. And you have to requalify every 6-12 months or you have to remove it from the bar. And it can be for everything from M-16 to M-249 to hand grenade and M-2.

In the Marines, there are only two: Rifle and Pistol. And qualification is a much different process, a full week as opposed to 20 minutes.

But Gunny is right, you continue to wear your last qualification earned. And if your award is a toilet bowl, then you spend the rest of your time until you retire with a toilet bowl on your chest.

If you look at pictures of past Commandants, some wear them and some do not. I think it has more to do with their uniform then anything else. In Greens they normally do, in Blues they normally do not.

 

[Mushroom]

OK, I'll buy the notion that O-4 and GySgt and above are exempt from having to qualify with the basic weapon. In that case it follows that they should not wear a shooting qualification badge. Any former Marine can spot a rifle and pistol qualification badge. Look at any portrait photo of a high ranking Marine and you will never see anything less than expert. It's not that big of a deal but I think it's phony.

Oh nonsense, I have seen a great many with badges other then Expert!

In fact, I would be willing to bet that those who did not qualify at least Sharpshooter are generally those that do not wear their badges in their Greens.