Someone who spent all their time in the military during the late s and early s is neither Vietnam-era nor Desert Storm-era. And there are achievements in the military that are deserving of a medal -- or at the very least, a ribbon.
Here are a few awards and decorations we could revive or create that would help fill those gaps. This one is for the poor troops who somehow ended up deployed for most of their careers. This isn't an award for time spent in Germany or South Korea.
It is for hard time in the Middle East. Service members, especially in the Army between and , were sent on an average of three deployments during their enlistments , even if that enlistment was just four years.
With more than half a million troops deployed in that time with three or more deployments at an average time of 7. Since , every branch of the military has seen some sort of uniform change, usually in the form of their work uniform. There are people wearing Operational Camouflage Pattern uniforms today who went to basic training wearing Battle Dress Uniforms.
Some people reading this don't even know what BDUs are. We propose a ribbon for every iteration of camouflage a service member had to purchase, learn to wear and quickly discard, with a "U" device for every subsequent uniform change. Unlike the Airman's Medal, Soldier's Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Medal, or even the Coast Guard Medal, the proposed Coast Guardsman's Medal would be an individual award to Coasties who leave the Coast Guard for another branch and have to endure the constant jokes about how the service isn't a real branch of the military.
This is for the soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines , and Coast Guardsmen who come in to work on time and do their jobs to the best of their abilities. But because they're never put in an extreme situation where they need to rise to the occasion, all they ever seem to get is a certificate. This would be an excellent replacement award for officers to write for themselves, instead of writing their own Bronze Star, despite a lack of heroic or meritorious achievement or service.
A Specially Meritorious Service Medal would alleviate animosity toward those officers from their junior enlisted troops who always find out. After nearly 20 years of constant war, the U. Meanwhile, U. They're pretty much just hanging around, waiting for the Iran situation to implode. Iraq doesn't want them there, and American politicians won't let them leave.
Every subsequent deployment to Iraq, Afghanistan or someplace nearby would qualify for a green weenie device. A Fidelity Medal would automatically be awarded to anyone with more than one deployment who re-enlists, knowing full well he or she will soon be awarded a green weenie device for their Iraq-Afghanistan Occupation Medal.
This one is actually a big deal. It's such a big deal that it's already been designed and approved by the National Guard and is awarded in Louisiana and Texas and worn as a ribbon in Alaska.
Cold War veterans were originally supposed to get just a certificate , despite spending decades believing they would be the first to die in World War III. Basically, if a service member was honorably discharged from the end of through the fall of the Soviet Union in , they're eligible to wear this award. Even though the last drafted service member retired in , it would be fitting to retroactively award service members who received the ultimate in "voluntold" assignments and opted to stay in the military despite entering against their will.
Draftees didn't get to choose their military occupation or branch of service. Ralph Rigby, the last drafted service member, had his own business before getting drafted. So a draft notice wasn't just about Vietnam, it could upend your whole life. Along with the unrecognized Cold War veterans, there's a growing movement to issue a medal honoring the veterans who served in the Drug War.
Even though that war is not going well for the United States, it's not for a lack of trying. Veterans requesting bronze service star approval will send their letter of request, along with a copy of their DD Form or DD Form , as well as supporting documents to Commander, U. It is authorized for award to Servicemembers of the Armed Forces of the United States who are deployed abroad for service in the Global War on Terrorism operations on or after 11 September to a date to be determined.
The Secretary of Defense, when recommended by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will designate the specific area of eligibility per qualifying operation. The combatant commander has the authority to approve award of the medal for units and personnel deployed within his or her theater. Under no conditions will units or personnel within the United States, the general region excluded in paragraph 2—18b 2 , be deemed eligible for the GWOTEM.
Servicemembers must be assigned, attached, or mobilized to a unit participating in designated operations for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days in the area of eligibility or meet one of the following criteria:. Each day that one or more sorties are flown in accordance with these criteria will count as 1 day toward the 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive day requirement.
Only the combatant commander can initiate a request for a battle star. The request will contain the specific unit s or individual s engaged in actual combat, the duration for which actual combat was sustained, and a detailed description of the actions against the enemy. Only one award of the GWOTEM may be authorized to any individual; therefore, second or subsequent awards will not be awarded. It is authorized for award to Servicemembers of the Armed Forces of the United States who have participated in or served in support of a Global War on Terrorism operations outside of the designated area of eligibility defined in paragraph 2—19d on or after 11 September to a future date to be determined.
Servicemembers must be assigned, attached, or mobilized to a unit supporting designated operations listed in paragraph 2—18d for 30 consecutive days or for 60 nonconsecutive days, or meet one of the following criteria:.
All Soldiers in a training status basic or advanced individual training are not eligible for receipt of this award until assigned to their first duty station and meet the requirements in paragraph 2—19c.
Only one award of the GWOTSM may be authorized to any individual; therefore, second and subsequent awards will not be awarded. It is authorized for award to Servicemembers of the Armed Forces of the United States who have served on active duty in support of the defense of the Republic of Korea.
The area of eligibility and period of eligibility are as follows:. Servicemembers must have been assigned, attached, or mobilized to units operating in the area of eligibility for 30 consecutive or for 60 nonconsecutive days, or meet the following criteria:. Each day that one or more sorties are flown in accordance with these criteria will count as 1 day toward the or day requirement. Due to the extensive time period for KDSM eligibility, the nonconsecutive service period for eligibility remains cumulative throughout the entire period.
Special provisions. It is awarded to Servicemembers of the Armed Forces of the United States who, after 1 June , meet the following criteria:. Servicemembers must be bona fide members of a unit participating in or engaged in direct support of the operation for 30 consecutive days in the area of operations or for the full period when an operation is less than 30 days duration or for 60 consecutive days provided this support involves entering the area of operations or meet the following criteria:.
The AFSM provides recognition to participants who deploy to the designated area of eligibility for the qualifying operation. Outstanding or meritorious performance of nondeployed or remotely located support units and individuals is not justification for award of the AFSM.
The following rules apply:. The following limitations apply when determining whether the AFSM should be awarded for a particular mission or operation or when determining eligibility for award to an individual:. One bronze service star is worn to denote second and subsequent awards of the AFSM. To be eligible for additional awards, service must be rendered in more than one designated area and period of service. No two awards will be made for service in the same designated area see para 6—8 for further information on the bronze service star.
It is awarded to Servicemembers of the Armed Forces of the United States who, after 1 April , distinguished themselves by meritorious direct participation in a DOD or DA approved significant military act or operation of a humanitarian nature. These must be above and beyond routine actions. For example, normal search and rescue operations conducted by specifically trained search and rescue units would not be eligible for HSM consideration. It includes duty on the active duty list, full-time training duty, annual training duty, and attendance, while in the active military service, at a school designated as a Service school by law or by the SECARMY.
Military Academy. Servicemembers of the ARNG are eligible provided, that the use of active forces has been authorized in the act or operation. When appropriate, the local commander in his or her recommendation may propose specific clarification of designated boundaries based on the intent of the Presidential or Department of State request. However, the burden of proof rests with each potentially eligible Soldier to furnish appropriate source documents, per paragraphs 2—22d 3 a through e to his or her personnel officer.
The HSM is an individual award, as such, only those individuals who meet the specific requirements in paragraph 2—22b will be eligible for award of the HSM.
In these instances, the appropriate level of recognition is provided by the applicable State governor. Name of operation and date or period of operation. Federal Disaster Assistance Control Number. A full explanation of the humanitarian aspects of the military assistance or operation to include the specific nature of the duties performed that were beyond normal duty expectations.
The names of the units and location involved. The estimated number of military participants listed by unit. Individuals who retired or were discharged after 1 October and the primary next of kin of Soldiers who died after 1 October should send their requests to Commander , U. It may be awarded to Servicemembers of the Armed Forces of the United States and their RCs who, subsequent to 31 December , perform outstanding volunteer community service of a sustained, direct, and consequential nature.
Approval authorities will ensure the service to be honored merits the special recognition afforded by this medal. The MOVSM is intended to recognize exceptional community support over time and not a single act or achievement. Further, it is intended to honor direct support of community activities. For the purpose of this award, attending membership meetings or social events of a community service group is not considered qualifying service, while manning a community crisis action telephone line is considered qualifying service.
Before the recommendation is forwarded to the award approval authority, the recommender must certify that the Servicemember meets the eligibility criteria for award of the MOVSM. For subsequent periods of community service justifying award of the medal, a bronze service star will be worn on the suspension and service ribbon of the medal.
Army Vessels, as defined in AR 56—9. The ASDR is also authorized to be awarded for duty aboard other qualifying vessels when the vessels meet the requirements of AR —88 see other qualifying vessels. The ASDR consists of the basic ribbon with service star appurtenances, which signify the comple- tion of respective periods of qualifying sea duty.
Subsequent awards are authorized upon completion of each additional 2 years of qualified sea duty up to 20 years of sea duty, as outlined in table 5—2. Army Reserve members. Army watercraft unit, which must include a minimum of 25 days underway during each year and two annual training exercises underway on a Class A or B U. Army Vessel or a day deployment aboard a U. Army Vessel, underway. Subsequent awards are authorized upon completion of additional qualifying periods of sea duty as outlined above.
One year of sea duty as a mobilized Soldier will be credited toward 1 creditable year as long as the minimum underway requirement is met. Servicemembers of other Services are authorized to be awarded the ASDR as outlined in paragraphs 5—7b 1 and 2 , consistent with their respective Service policies and concurrence, in accordance with paragraph 1— Posthumous award.
Award approval authority. Retroactive award. The ASDR may be awarded retroactively to those personnel who were credited with service as defined in paragraph 5—7b after 1 August , the activation date of the first heavy boat company in the Transportation Corps. The reverse of this medal is struck in two designs for award to personnel whose RC service has been primarily in the organized Reserve or primarily in the National Guard. For service performed on or after 1 July , a member must accumulate, during each anniversary year, a minimum of 50 retirement points as prescribed in AR — Officers holding Reserve commissions serving on the active duty list are, by statute, members of the RC.
For example, if a Reserve officer on active duty list serves 10 active years prior to going Active Army, or also received retirement points for other RC service, which, when added together with their active duty list service adds up to 10 years, then that officer is eligible for the AFRM.
The member volunteered and served on active duty in support of specific U. The year-device is authorized for wear on the AFRM to denote each year-period as follows: 1 A bronze hourglass will be awarded upon completion of the first year-period award.
No more than one AFRM may be awarded to any one person. Designated contingency operations are outlined in table 6—1. Acceptable evidence of graduation is a diploma, certificate, or a letter signed by an appropriate Service school official. The NCOPDR consists of the basic ribbon with numeral devices of 2, 3, or 4, which signify satisfactory completion of the respective levels of NCO professional development courses as outlined in table 5—1.
A change approved in February completely revised the wear policy of numerals on ribbons and award suspension elements. Simultaneously, U.
Only the numerals 2, 3, and 4 are authorized for wear on the ribbon. It is awarded to Servicemembers of the U. Army for successful completion of initial entry training. The ribbon may be awarded retroactively to those personnel who completed the required training before 1 August provided they had an Active Army status as defined above on or after 1 August For those officer personnel assigned a specialty, specialty skill identifier SSI , or MOS based on civilian or other service acquired skills, this ribbon will be awarded upon honorable completion of 4 months active service.
Enlisted Soldiers will be awarded this ribbon upon successful completion of their initial MOS producing course. For those enlisted Soldiers assigned a MOS based on civilian or other service- acquired skills, this ribbon will be awarded on honorable completion of 4 months active service.
Only one award of the Army Service Ribbon is authorized, regardless of whether a Soldier completes both officer and enlisted initial entry training. Army for successful completion of overseas tours. The ribbon may be awarded retroactively to those personnel who were credited with a normal overseas tour completion before 1 August provided they had an Active Army status as defined above on or after 1 August Soldiers must be credited with a normal overseas tour completion in accordance with AR — Servicemem- bers who have overseas service with another branch of the U.
Armed Forces must be credited with a normal overseas tour completion by that Service to qualify for award of the Army OSR. All ARNG and USAR Soldiers who accompany the RC unit including unit cells to which they are assigned or attached as active duty for operational support during overseas training are also eligible for the award. Ten consecutive days overseas must be met. The ARCOTR may be awarded retroactively to those personnel who successfully completed annual training or ADT on foreign soil in a Reserve status prior to 11 July provided they have an active status as defined above on or after 11 July Soldiers must be credited with completion of at least 10 consecutive duty days outside the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and U.
The day of departure counts; the day of return does not. Eligibility requirements. Awarded to personnel of the Armed Forces of the U. The member must not have been recognized by another service award, such as the Humanitarian Service Medal, for the same operation during the same period of service.
See enclosure 19 for a listing of approved operations. The Coast Guard Special Operations Service SOS Ribbon may be authorized for any of the following categories of multi-unit or multi-service operations, but may not be awarded for training:. Definitions and guidelines. Service rendered in the act or operation being considered must meet the following criteria:. Recommendations for this award will be submitted to the Area Commander or Commandant CG via the appropriate chain of command, within two years of the military act or operation to be recognized.
Recommendations must be in letter form and include the following:. Procurement, issuance, and manner of wear. The awarding authority will distribute initial issue quantities; recipients may purchase replacement ribbon bars. There is no citation to accompany the SOS Ribbon. Enclosure 22 indicates the precedence of the award.
Subsequent awards. It is awarded to members of the U. Specifically, a service member must meet the following criteria: complete an aggregate 24 months of sustained professional performance as a member of U. Air Force combat or mission-ready units subject to combat readiness reporting; or be individually certified as combat or mission ready and have maintained individual readiness the entire period according to a major headquarters; or subject to an individual positional evaluation program according to a higher headquarters standard.
The term Combat Ready is defined as being professionally and technically qualified in an aircraft crew position in an aircraft that can be used in combat. This striking medal pictured below was designed by the Institute of Heraldry.
On the obverse, it has an inverted triangle on top of a delta-swept wing-like object, both representing supersonic aircraft. This design is enclosed by a stylized compass rose with triangles at the points indicating the worldwide nature of the mission of the Air Force.
The ribbon has a wide center stripe of red, flanked on either side by a narrow stripe of light blue, thin stripe of dark blue, narrow stripe of light blue with a stripe of red at the edge. The ribbon was created to recognize the unique and demanding nature of sea service and the arduous duty attendant with such service deployments. The award is made to Navy and Marine Corps personnel for twelve months of accumulated sea duty or duty with the Fleet Marine Force, which includes at least one, ninety day deployment.
The ribbon consists of a wide center stripe of light blue, bordered on either side by a narrow stripe of medium blue and equal stripes of gold, red and navy blue. Additional awards are denoted by three-sixteenth inch bronze stars.
The POW Medal may be awarded posthumously. Personnel eligible Active component enlisted Soldiers. Ready Reserve enlisted personnel ordered to active duty under 10 USC. It is awarded for service within the American Theater between 7 December and 2 March under any of the following conditions: 1 On permanent assignment outside the continental limits of the United States. The boundaries of American Theater are as follows: 1 The eastern boundary is located from the North Pole, south along the 75th meridian west longitude to the 77th parallel north latitude, then southeast through Davis Strait to the intersection of the 40th parallel north latitude and the 35th meridian west longitude, then south along the meridian to the 10th parallel north latitude, then southeast to the intersection of the Equator and the 20th meridian west longitude, then south along the 20th meridian west longitude to the South Pole.
It is awarded for service with the Asiatic-Pacific Theater between 7 December and 2 March under any of the following conditions: 1 On permanent assignment in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. Boundaries of Asiatic-Pacific Theater. The boundaries of European-African-Middle Eastern Theater are as follows: 1 The eastern boundary is coincident with the western boundary of the Asiatic-Pacific Theater see para 5— One bronze service star is authorized for each campaign under the following conditions: 2 Assigned or attached to, and present for duty with, a unit during the period in which it participated in combat.
It is awarded for service for 30 consecutive days at a normal post of duty as contrasted to inspector, visitor, courier, escort, passenger, TDY, or detached service while assigned to any of the following: 1 Army of Occupation of Germany exclusive of Berlin between 9 May and 5 May Service must have been for at least days during the period between 26 June and 30 September , inclusive, with the following prescribed boundaries of area of Berlin Airlift operations: 1 The northern boundary is the 54th parallel north latitude.
It is awarded for honorable active service for any period between: 1 27 June and 27 July Korea , both dates inclusive. Servicemembers in the following categories will not be eligible for the NDSM: 1 Any Servicemember on active duty for the sole purpose of undergoing a physical examination. The NDSM may be awarded posthumously. It is awarded for service between 27 June and 27 July , under any of the following conditions: 1 Within the territorial limits of Korea or in waters immediately adjacent thereto.
The service prescribed must have been performed under any of the following conditions: 1 On permanent assignment. One bronze service star is authorized for each campaign under the following conditions: 1 Assigned or attached to and present for duty with a unit during the period in which it participated in combat.
Antarctica Service Medal The Antarctica Service Medal is awarded to any person who, after 2 January and before a date to be announced, meets any of the following qualifications: 1 Any Servicemember of the Armed Forces of the United States or civilian citizen, national, or resident alien of the United States who is a member of a direct support or exploratory operation in Antarctica. Personnel who remain on the Antarctic continent during the winter months will be eligible to wear a clasp or a disc as described below: 1 A clasp with the words "Wintered Over" on the suspension ribbon of the medal.
Servicemembers must be bona fide members of a unit participating in or be engaged in the direct support of the operation for 30 consecutive days in the area of operations or for the full period when an operation is less than 30 days duration or for 60 nonconsecutive days provided this support involved entering the area of operations or and meets one or more of the following criteria: 1 Be engaged in actual combat, or duty, which is equally as hazardous as combat duty, during the operation with armed opposition, regardless of time in the area.
The AFEM may be awarded posthumously. To qualify for award of the VSM an individual must meet one of the following qualifications: 1 Be attached to or regularly serve for 1 or more days with an organization participating in or directly supporting military operations.
0コメント