Well I appreciate the response, although I suspect there is a little more substance to your reasoning than that of most of the posters here. However, I'm not sure why keeping a medal with screwed up justification helps straighten out the flawed rating system. As far as I'm concerned, both should be dumped.
In 1947, when the Air Force became and independent service, Gen Eaker, The First Air Force COS, wanted promotions and medal to be awarded on merit. That how it stayed in the 60's under General Lemay.
Sometime after that, the promotion, medals and evaluations became more political then merit based. I am not sure when and how but it did but I believe it happened during the Vietnam war or shortly there after. I am not only talking about Officers I am talking about Senior Enlisted also.
Gen Eaker would be disappointed at the current system but would be proud that most of the people wearing Blue today are still the professionals he expected to serve in his Air Force.
