Are ribbons overrated? Do we give out too many?

2015-09-16T09:23:56-04:00

Response by TSgt David L. made Sep 16 at 2015 9:25 AM

2015-09-16T09:25:39-04:00

I think that there are some that we give out just for breathing but some take the place of hash stripes or badges in other services. Compared to the Navy who doesn't give hardly anything from what I've seen we are over ribboned (not a real word LOL). Our uniform is the most plain and has historically looked like an airline pilot or bus driver uniform so we need the ribbons to separate us from them! LOL

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Sep 16 at 2015 9:41 AM

2015-09-16T09:41:01-04:00

Yes, no, maybe?

Recognition is almost always a good thing. But it really depends on whether the recognition is "noteworthy."

Now, each service is a little different when it comes to the medal/ribbon philosophy. The USAF tends to be high, while the USMC would be low when looking at the spectrum. Not good or bad, just comparing. But, there are factors to consider like the USAF doesn't wear hashmarks so they have the longevity ribbon instead. Weapons qualification ribbons in lieu of badges are similar.

Now, some ribbons just don't really make sense to me, like the Air Force Training Ribbon or the Army Equivalent. You're in the service, so the ribbon seems redundant, but that's me.

Now, when we get to things like PME ribbons, I get the idea, but are they really "necessary?" They again seem redundant as in theory PME would be completed when you attain specific rank.

The ones that really seem odd are the Basic Honor Grad ribbons (USAF & USN). These seem like something that could be better recognized with meritorious masts, or promotions, or other awards than a dedicated ribbon.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2015 9:56 AM

2015-09-16T09:56:38-04:00

Having been enlisted in the Navy (and serving at two notoriously "hard" commands when it came to awards) and currently an officer in the Army (who's mentality on awards is completely more relaxed then I grew up with in the Navy) - it's been one of the harder adjustments for me to make. That being said, There are a lot of "handout" ribbons that I wish would go away (I'm not referring to campaign medals). I dislike wearing my "rack" - because I'm often singled out with the Insert foreign military" General comment. I'm proud of what I've earned - but sometimes I think just awarding someone a ribbon because you served here can be a bit much. Just my .02

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Sep 16 at 2015 10:00 AM

2015-09-16T10:00:59-04:00

Don't know SMSgt Tony Barnes
Most of those in the highest ranks have a chest full. They must be good for something.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Sep 16 at 2015 10:06 AM

2015-09-16T10:06:22-04:00

SMSgt Tony Barnes - People respond to positive recognition and ribbons and medals are one way to recognize and promote outstanding accomplishments and performance. Not sure who the arbiter of "what is too much" is or how it could be ascertained.

I think that, instead of limiting the number of awards that are presented, standards for the awards should be clearly established and awards should be awarded strictly by those standards. Anything less cheapens the awards...

One of my pet peeves as a senior commander was when subordinate commanders recommended soldiers for awards that were clearly not warranted, knowing that I would downgrade them. In that way, they could tell the soldier that he/she had been put in for a higher award, but the "old man" downgraded it, which they assumed made them look good in the eyes of the affected soldiers.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2015 11:05 AM

2015-09-16T11:05:25-04:00

To be honest, 24 years and 19 ribbons donned, of which 7 of them I am most proud. Now, I'm not one to discount the award of any of these, it just seems as though after 4 years, my ribbon rack was a job in and of itself to maintain due to the constant upkeep. Are they overrated? Unsure, sir. As Col Burleson stated earlier, some respond better to these accolades. I think that that is where the true goodness is. Personally, it never did much more for me other than raise the stock up at AAFES (smiles). I was appreciative nonetheless, but compared to my brother who served 13 years in the Marine Corps., I was exponentially further along with my rack than he was at the same time, and (IMHO) far less worthy considering his combat resume.

Response by SGT David T. made Sep 16 at 2015 11:10 AM

2015-09-16T11:10:47-04:00

My personal opinion on this is generally yes at least as far as the Army is concerned. When every last E-7 and above (to include fobbits) gets a Bronze Star and Soldiers who go out the wire every day get a COA or AAM there is a major problem. We can talk about levels of responsibility all we want but awards should be for exceeding expectations not just simply being there. For me, I never much cared if I got an award or not. However, I really pushed for my troops to get them only to have them downgraded and less deserving but higher ranking individuals were awarded higher ones. Just my opinion.

Response by SMSgt Bryan Raines made Sep 16 at 2015 12:28 PM

2015-09-16T12:28:29-04:00

SMSgt Tony Barnes You know the AF doesn't give out too many, or at least they didn't when I was in. That's why our ribbon racks don't look as full as some of the other services. I feel that I earned/deserved every ribbon I received.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 16 at 2015 1:04 PM

2015-09-16T13:04:39-04:00

Does the Air Force really need an basic training graduation ribbon? By virtue of wearing the uniform we know everyone graduated basic.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Sep 16 at 2015 2:08 PM

2015-09-16T14:08:38-04:00

I don't know if we give out too many or not but I do know that they have been down graded to the extent that most don't really mean anything. It seems that today things like the Bronze Star and the ARCOM are just awards for being there and putting in your time. Today many have as many or more medals by the end of their first year as most in earlier times got in a career. Of course that could also mean that in earlier times we didn't give out enough. Many of the awards today didn't even exist until the early eighties or later. However it is not my place to judge what anyone gets and if they actually motivate people or improve morale I guess that they aren't all bad.

Response by SGT William Howell made Sep 16 at 2015 2:36 PM

2015-09-16T14:36:02-04:00

AF...RIBBONS.....HA!HA!HA!HA!HA! NAH! You guys get just the right amount.

Air Force E-5 Rack compared to Chesty Puller.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2015 4:09 PM

2015-09-16T16:09:31-04:00

Yes. While I do not have as many as some I think we like to give out a lot that overlap or are not necessary. for instance why do we give out GWOT Expeditionary Medal and the Service Metal? shouldn't one replace the other? The basic training ribbon is also a bit silly. If you go to another service I can see a ribbon but if you do something that everyone else has to do? Many of our ribbons mean nothing. No points and it means nothing. Saying you were in a particular theater or location (Korea or Iraq) or a special mission classification (Nuclear deterrence) I can see.

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Sep 16 at 2015 4:38 PM

2015-09-16T16:38:59-04:00

No, they are not overrated and no, we don't give out to many! For those of you who answer with a Yes, I would like to know which ribbon or medal you received but didn't feel you deserved? I also get concerned when I hear people saying that so and so didn't really deserve that Bronze Star he received because "I did more heroic stuff than he did". It could be sour grapes or it could be that folks that deserved a medal didn't get one it because of quotas, command indiference, or simple lazyness.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2015 4:58 PM

2015-09-16T16:58:56-04:00

Yes and yes. Ribbons are overrated, and stacks are bloated with unnecessary uniform candy. The whole system is a bit ridiculous.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2015 6:31 PM

2015-09-16T18:31:00-04:00

In my mind there is a huge difference in the Bronze Star I got during the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan and the one I got as a staff officer in Iraq. There is not realistically a way I could recommend to do the system a lot better. The flaws in it are just a reality.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2015 12:08 PM

2015-09-17T12:08:04-04:00

But...........but...........I like my garden salad.

Response by SPC John Lebiecki made Aug 3 at 2016 6:47 PM

2016-08-03T18:47:32-04:00

In the Army, yes. It seems like there are too many for just "being involved" than for actual achievement. I left the service with a bunch, but only earned a few.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Dec 5 at 2016 8:29 AM

2016-12-05T08:29:52-05:00

I'd rather we start awarding ribbons and/or medals based on PERFORMANCE rather than rank. I still have a hard time justifying some supply officer or SNCO sitting in Oklahoma or Nebraska getting a Bronze Star or MSM for "supporting the war effort" while some E-3 or E-5 who deployed for a year in Taji gets an Achievement Medal "because they didn't have enough responsibility".