30 years ago we were calling it the “rainbow ribbon”, the one you got for getting past AIT. Not really a source of, dare I say, Pride.
I don’t think officers got the service ribbon, so if you saw one on an officer you knew they were former enlisted. Which to me added a little more respect of them.
Back in the Vietnam War Era, we called it the “I’ve been to basic training” ribbon. All military members were awarded it after 60 days of successful active service. And 60 days/2 months/8 weeks was the average time to complete and graduate from basic enlisted or officer training.
It went away sometime in the 1980s and was brought back in 1990 when the First Gulf War happened. I remember getting an ‘Oak Leaf Cluster’ to signify that I was receiving it for the 2d time in 1991, the first time was in 1973.
The Good Conduct Medal/ribbon is only awarded to enlisted soldiers after 3 years of duty if they have received no Article 15 or other punishments. Thus if you see an officer wearing the GCM ribbon, you knew they were prior enlisted.
30 years ago we were calling it the “rainbow ribbon”........................ Us old timers called it the “tutti fruity” ribbon.