Post your ribbons

[JAK]

Originally Posted by AlaskaErik

I also started out life as a Marine, but went Air Guard after six years in the Corps. Never went into theater as a Marine, flew on 77 combat missions in Afghanistan as a Guardsman. I'm not embarrassed by that at all.

Let me qualify my statement a little bit. I am not embarressed by my service to my country. I am not even embarressed by the fact that some of it has been as a soldier (well not too much). My embaressment stems from some of the ribbons that are in my rack. I went to a two week Warrior Leader Course (WLC is what used to be PLDC) and recieved a ribbon for it. I went to SERE school while in the Marine Corps and got nothing for it. SERE school made WLC look like summer camp. The Army service ribbon...I got that one simply for being in the Army, which seems sort of redundant to me. My uniform already shows that I am in the Army...Why do I need a ribbon to show it, as well?

[gsh341]

Originally Posted by JAK

Let me qualify my statement a little bit. I am not embarressed by my service to my country. I am not even embarressed by the fact that some of it has been as a soldier (well not too much). My embaressment stems from some of the ribbons that are in my rack. I went to a two week Warrior Leader Course (WLC is what used to be PLDC) and recieved a ribbon for it. I went to SERE school while in the Marine Corps and got nothing for it. SERE school made WLC look like summer camp. The Army service ribbon...I got that one simply for being in the Army, which seems sort of redundant to me. My uniform already shows that I am in the Army...Why do I need a ribbon to show it, as well?

I agree about the Army Service ribbon, but the ribbon you got for WLC is actually a NCO Professional Development ribbon. Every time you attend a NCOPD course (WLC, BNCOC, ANCOC, SGM Academy) you will be authorized a new number for that ribbon designating how many courses you have completed. This ribbon has worth in that it shows you have the education for your job. BNCOC and above are rather intense courses that train you in everything from counseling soldiers to leading troops and all the requisite paperwork that must be done for everything.

Some of the skills learned in BNCOC are advanced map reading and preparation, how to give briefings, how to organize training, how to properly discipline troops, how to lead troops in the field, and all the other things that must be done as a SSG. Some of the skills are MOS specific, but some are Army wide.

Being an NCO is more than just getting promoted. It is a learned skill that some cannot master and do not have the discipline for. That's why you see some troops getting busted back to private after being an NCO.

Your other ribbons are ARCOM, AAM, NMCAM, Good Conduct Medals from the Army and Marines, National Defense Medal, Iraq Campaign, GWOT and GWOTE, NCOPD, The HUMILIATING Army Service ribbon and the Overseas Service ribbon.

It must really suck to be recognized for being a good soldier, serving your country overseas in a war, and actually attending a course to help you become a good NCO by being awarded a few medals and ribbons.

I understand the Marines have some odd aversion to recognizing achievements, (hell it wasn't all that long ago they didn't believe in name tags either) but don't be embarrassed because the Army, Navy and Air Force don't.

[Radio Relay]

Marines have some odd aversion to recognizing achievements

gsh341, Thanks for your service Soldier, but as usual, there is a lack of understanding of Marine Corps culture.

Marines do not have any aversions to recognizing achievements. It's just the difference between what is considered a real achievement and what is expected and normal.

This isn't a put down, or disrespect of other branches. It's only Marine culture, which you would not understand unless you had been a Marine.

[JAK]

I am aware of the purpose of the ribbon, but I find it funny that it is given at all. WLC is required for the rank of SSG, being a SSG and wearing that ribbon is almost like wearing the uniform and wearing the Army Service Ribbon. It is redundant. Why award soldiers for doing what is required of them? (Overseas Service Ribbon...also redundant. The ICM, AFEM, and GWOTEM show clearly enough that I have served overseas.)

Thanks for the riot act on what BNOC is supposed to be all about. From what I have heard and witnessed, while at WLC, it is actually a beer fest. I do not know that to be true for all MOS’s, so I am of course generalizing here.

I have seen many NCO’s get busted down to private in a matter of months… My favorite since being with my current unit has been watching those who get there by sleeping their way to the bottom. Two months away from their spouses and we already had Senior NCO’s who were willing to lose their rank because they were “in love” with one of their subordinates… (Good job guys, now you are divorced and having to pay child support, but at least you got to sleep with PVT "Rot-Your-Crotch" for a few months, before she dumped your ^ss and moved on to the next guy!)

Thanks for listing my awards for me…you only missed one… but who’s counting?

It doesn’t suck to be recognized. I just have to laugh at some of the awards I have received and the reasons for them. I still remember the day I got my first ARCOM: The soldier to my left got the same award for the same time period… even though he was arrested and subsequently busted for shoplifting from the PX, during the time listed on his award. What kind of message does that send to me about my ARCOM? It tells me that it is worthless… Sorry, just the way the situation made me feel.

It is not that Marines have an aversion to being recognized for achievements... I would call it more of an aversion to being recognized for meeting the standard…. Recognize me for an outstanding job, by all means. Don’t award me for simply doing my job or for going to a cakewalk school that I was required to go to… It diminishes the value of the awards that I, and others, actually earned.

ON EDIT: Before someone says, "Just don't wear the awards that you don't agree with," I have been down that road and the Army unfortunately does not work that way. I am not required to wear a combat patch, but I am required to wear all of my awards... Figure that one out.

[gsh341]

Originally Posted by JAK

I am aware of the purpose of the ribbon, but I find it funny that it is given at all. WLC is required for the rank of SSG, being a SSG and wearing that ribbon is almost like wearing the uniform and wearing the Army Service Ribbon. It is redundant. Why award soldiers for doing what is required of them? (Overseas Service Ribbon...also redundant. The ICM, AFEM, and GWOTEM show clearly enough that I have served overseas.)

Thanks for the riot act on what BNOC is supposed to be all about. From what I have heard and witnessed, while at WLC, it is actually a beer fest. I do not know that to be true for all MOS’s, so I am of course generalizing here.

I have seen many NCO’s get busted down to private in a matter of months… My favorite since being with my current unit has been watching those who get there by sleeping their way to the bottom. Two months away from their spouses and we already had Senior NCO’s who were willing to lose their rank because they were “in love” with one of their subordinates… (Good job guys, now you are divorced and having to pay child support, but at least you got to sleep with PVT "Rot-Your-Crotch" for a few months, before she dumped your ^ss and moved on to the next guy!)

Thanks for listing my awards for me…you only missed one… but who’s counting?

It doesn’t suck to be recognized. I just have to laugh at some of the awards I have received and the reasons for them. I still remember the day I got my first ARCOM: The soldier to my left got the same award for the same time period… even though he was arrested and subsequently busted for shoplifting from the PX, during the time listed on his award. What kind of message does that send to me about my ARCOM? It tells me that it is worthless… Sorry, just the way the situation made me feel.

It is not that Marines have an aversion to being recognized for achievements... I would call it more of an aversion to being recognized for meeting the standard…. Recognize me for an outstanding job, by all means. Don’t award me for simply doing my job or for going to a cakewalk school that I was required to go to… It diminishes the value of the awards that I, and others, actually earned.

ON EDIT: Before someone says, "Just don't wear the awards that you don't agree with," I have been down that road and the Army unfortunately does not work that way. I am not required to wear a combat patch, but I am required to wear all of my awards... Figure that one out.

You know what the awards are for? You know, the "worthless" ones that you don't care for like the Overseas service ribbon and the NCOPD ribbon and such? They are to distinguish between the individual that has just floated for their entire career and those that have actually done something.

I received my AAM for stepping in and doing my Squad Leaders job when he was sick for two weeks. I did the job because I had to and probably wouldn't have received any award, but I impressed my Platoon Sgt and the Commander with my professionalism and ability so I got the AAM. On the other end of the scale I received the Louisiana Emergency Service ribbon for volunteering to help out in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Had I been in the Marines I would have received recognition for neither of those events. In fact, I probably would have only earned my Good Conduct Medal, GWOT, GWOTE and that's it. However, that doesn't show most of the real achievements I had over my 21 years.

I'm sorry you feel that you didn't earn some of your awards. If you don't like being recognized for "worthless stuff", perhaps you should get out of the Army. If you stay in, I suggest you learn to accept recognition with some grace and humility or you're going to have a rather tough time.

Edit: Also, I'm not sure where you went to WLC, but my PLDC (now WLC) was one month of hell in the desert at Ft. Bliss with 18hr days and field problems galore in the 115 degree heat. My BNCOC was no picnic either. Tons of classroom followed by a wonderful 2 week trip to Ft. Hunter Ligget, CA where having a beer earns automatic expulsion and you spend your day learning the practical side of your MOS in the field.

[JAK]

WLC had some challenges and was actually a lot of fun. Still it was someplace that I and all other soldiers are required to go to in order to make rank...I do not view it as an achievement, personal or otherwise.

I seem to have touched a nerve...for this I am sorry. That was never my intent. Still, I stand by my opinions as previously stated.

As far as getting used to it or get out...I will get out as soon as I finish out this deployement (the fifth year of my four year contract).

[dhutch]

You know, you do not have to wear those ribbons at all. No where is it stated that you have to wear the ribbons you are awarded.

[JAK]

I apologized for touching a nerve, but I will not apologize for my opinions. I was never trying to hijack this thread. I will be getting out as soon as I finish pinning on some more awards that I have actually earned. Is there any reason to keep this going?

If you have anything else to say on my opinions of certain "awards", I ask that you send it to me in a PM. There is a whole lot hard work, determination, blood, sweat, and tears shown on these pages. I have contributed in each of those areas. For those who do not know it, I am contributing RIGHT NOW, while you are reading this. I am currently in Iraq far away from my family, my friends, and my home. I am proud to do it and will always be proud of my service to my country.

In the interest of getting this topic back on track I will repost my awards in a manner that I hope will not ruffle any feathers...

We now return to our regularly scheduled programing....

[JAK]

Here are mine...





Army Commendation Medal (x2)
Army Achievement Medal
Navy Unit Citation
Army Good Conduct Medal
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Iraqi Campain Medal
GWOT Expeditionary Medal
GWOT Service Medal
NCO Professional Development Ribbon
Army Service Medal
Overseas Service Ribbon


Semper Fi!

[EricCartmann]

I still think the Army gives way too many ribbons. Hell the chevrons on the side of your arms should be enough to let people know you completed the NCO courses.

I like the Marines and how they award stuff, they have way less ribbons and thier dress uniforms just looks cleaner.

When I served in the Gulf War, they gave every senior NCO and officer a bronze medal. For what? I have no clue, they just did because that's how the Army is. Some of the Army guys I have seen look like Kuwaiti Generals.