There's no reason for the situation to happen to begin with.

Have you ever heard of: an asshole?

Politicians aren't like regular people, they have a finely attuned sense of when they're in the presence of a potential photo op.

https://ballotpedia.org/Brian_McGinnis_(North_Carolina)

https://brianmcginnis4ussenatenc.org/

Graduated from Quincy Senior High on a Saturday in early June 2000, and went to Marine boot camp the following Monday. Mama was not ready.

Did my one enlistment as a Light Armored Vehicle Crewman, an infantry MOS in the Corps, until June 2004.

Highlights:

-Six months on a Med Float on the USS Wasp in 2002, established a training ground in Djibouti, Africa. -Deployed for the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003 and traveled extensively across the country. -Made the All-Marine boxing team later in 2003 until the end of enlistment, tried out the year prior, but broke my hand in the tryouts.

Upon my honorable discharge from the USMC, I attended John Wood Community College in Quincy, IL and earned an associate's degree in education from 2004 to 2006.

...

Well.

I guess he's somewhat used to his bones being broken.

https://www.military-ranks.org/decorations/branches/marines

I can't find high enough resolution images to confidently make the ribbons, but my best guess for the medal is the Navy Cross.

He doesn't mention being a pilot, so its unlikely it would be the Distiguinshed Flying Cross.

Also, the Marines and the Navy just use the same medal for Distinguished Service, as best I can tell, likely owing to the history of the Marines long being part of the Navy untill they were formally set aside as a distinct branch.

With emphasis that these are guesses and I almost certainly made mistakes, I have no actual military background or experience, there may be some formal rules of displaying ribbons and medals that my guesses may violate...

Best guesses for ribbons (from our POV):

Row 1 = Joint Service Achievement Medal

Row 2, Left = Navy and Marine Corp Medal

Row 2, Center = Navy and Marine Corp Presidential Unit Citation

Row 2, Right = Bronze Star

Row 3, Left = General Service Medal

Row 3, Center = Iraq Campaign Medal

Row 3, Right = Uncertain

Row 4, Left = Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Row 4, Center = Humanitarian Service Medal

Row 4, Right = Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

They have a few medals (The ribbons above the pocket). The pocket decoration that looks like a cross is most likely a rifle/pistol qualification which is a badge.

So the badge is sharpshooter for pew pew, rifle only. Pistol usually reserved for guys with rockers on their sleeves, but you see some others get it.

Top ribbon is a NAM, Navy Achievment Medal. And like you'd read a book, there's a CAR (Combat Action Ribbon), a PUC (presidential unit citation), Good Cookie (three years no bad), then some campaign ribbons, I assume Iraq/Afghan, a MEU.

I need to check for a concussion. Please count the five lights.