Articles from The Onion are not permitted at FR.
The Achievement medal and the MSM is no usually given out for merit or leadership but for ending a tour without screwing up or winning a Sq Commander's popularity contest.
I've seen both given to people who did nothing but show up for work every day. As for the Good Conduct Medal change the standards on it or get rid of it. Hell some of the Achievement Medals I've seen given out where just for good conduct.
To make room for all the new and exciting Air Force ribbons.
/S
This actually makes a little sense. Thats whay I find it hard to believe that anyone in a position of authority came up with it.
I agree with the decision. I have 7 Air Force Good Conduct awards. The only thing I had to do was stay out of trouble.
Hmmmm.... Maybe that WAS an achievement.
NEA anyone? "just don't murder, rape or cause discomfort to ANYONE, and you pass.......understood?"
What a pant load.
FMCDH(BITS)
When I was in the Marksmanship ribbon was rather meaningless too since we were allowed to score our own targets.
I was awarded the Good Conduct Medal in 1991, I got out in 1992 and still haven't gotten the medal. I never got my National Defense Medal either. The ceremonies kept getting put off and I finally got discharged empty handed.
One must look at the history of why the medal was created in the 1960s. The military was using the draft and involved in the Vietnam War. The Air Force didn't have any other method to recognize Airmen. Today, the Air Force Achievement Medal recognizes outstanding Airmanship.
What a crock. I enlisted in the USAF fifty years ago this month and served twelve years on active duty, much of it as an NCO. In spite of knowing thousands of Air Force Personnel, I can attest to the fact that our standards were exceptional, and few men I knew were discharged for bad behavior. We were not drafted, rather we were all volunteer decades before it became the standard in the military.
This just appears to be denigration or former service members by pipsqueaks who try to elevate themselves by lowering others.
I want a medal for eating C-rats. And a purple heart for cold ham and lima beans.
Service-related ping
This makes sense because I think they are issuing a bar to reenlistment for anyone with derogatories (Article 15, etc).
Kinda gives no leeway for youngsters to screw-up let alone get a GCM.
I'd believe it.
I work directly with the Air Farce now.
the airmen and most of the junior officers are great people.
The idiots in the "leadership" aren't exactly quality.
Clue ~ military costs are very high. Eliminating the ribbons will not reduce them by any appreciable amount.
Its a good thing "Smart bombs" were invented - or the Air Force would have lost the job of bombing in areas where American troops were within a 30 mile radius.
In the our era -- there were different procedures for observing "Air Support"...
If the Air Force was coming --- we ALL retreated to the deepest bunkers possible..., buttoned up tight and prayed until the silence returned.
If the Navy was coming -- we would simply lay out our panels, but watch the incoming for entertainment from BEHIND MINIMAL COVER.
If the Marine Corps was coming -- we'd all go topside into the clear, lay out our "picnic", wave to our pilots who came down low enough to verify OUR positions and salute before getting the job done..
I personally NEVER heard of a friendly fire death from Marine Air the entire time in country...
Semper Fi
Having been Enlisted and now being an Officer I agree with elimination of these awards. I would get rid of longevity awards but for the fact that at least they give distinction to years of service.
Most against this are on target. I expect nothing other than good and moral conduct from all in the military, Enlisted or Officer. Its an expectation I have and I see it as nothing but candy to give out when I give a medal out for someone just doing their job.
The medals I have mean a lot to me and since I was prior enlisted I wear the Good Conduct Medal so as to show other enlisted that I was once in their boots. I also make sure to wear my Maintenance Badge so they will see that as well. I would like all of them to aspire to Officership as it means education and wanting more out of their careers and life itself. And I can tell you something about it all...if I can go from lowly E-3 to become a pilot in the USAF....just about anyone can do it. There ar ebetter ways to motivate and reward people instead of meaningless pin-ons that are given just for being normal.