[muawiyah]

I believe the poster is confusing the Good Conduct Medal with the Vietnam Service Award ~ which is what they awarded upon completing AIT.

That way the short-time NGs and Reservists would get a medal too.

[stand watie]

NOPE. i personally know of at least one O-1 who was awarded the GCM upon being directly commissioned, after only 10 MONTHS of honorable service.

WO's in the army warrant officer flight program sometimes (i'm NOT sure about ALL of the time) received the GCM at the same time as they received their warrants, with about a YEAR of total enlisted service.

free dixie,sw