“That’s uncool. Sailors who spend months at sea in a metal box, earn those ribbons.”
I was told promotion boards would frown on Navy aviators who didn’t have the normal number of sea service ribbons. The squadron I was in was restricted from sea service, but we deployed to tents in the desert all the time. It would have been unfair also for the guys flying with me to be passed over because their record didn’t show enough “service”.
As an Air Force guy, though, I found it odd. Both Navy & USAF got air medals for flying over bad guy country (and getting shot at) and I thought a promotion board OUGHT to be able to notice the number of air medals earned.
Then again, that wouldn’t have helped our enlisted. Just the guys flying. I agree on the various service ribbons given for being alive during a certain time frame.
Yeah, a lot them are as you say. Another geedunk (sp?) ribbon I wore was Battle Efficiency award for our class ship during Naval exercise competition. It's nothing I specifically earned...it took the entire ship's company (600).
I don't know what goes through the minds of Pentagon desk jockies, but I suppose they give out such pointless ribbons for morale. The only medal I have is a Good Conduct (2). If I had stayed Navy one more year, it would be three and I could change my Crow (stripes) and hash marks on the sleeve to Gold. That is big thing for an E-6. You rarely saw it my day unless a Chief Petty Officer (E-7). I almost got a Navy Achievement medal, but the EO and I were not on good terms.
Enough of my whining. No matter how much time I spent on the flight deck, the in-country grunts are who I respect the most. I feel privileged to have served.