Posted on May 5, 2014
Army Service Ribbon - Should it be discontinued?
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The Army Service Ribbon (ASR) was established by the Secretary of the Army on 10 April 1981 as announced in Department of the Army General Order 15, dated 10 October 1990. It is awarded to members of the U.S. Army for successful completion of initial entry training.
Enlisted Soldiers will be awarded this ribbon upon successful completion of their initial MOS producing course. For those enlisted Soldiers assigned a MOS based on civilian or other service acquired skills, this ribbon will be awarded on honorable completion of 4 months active service.
Enlisted Soldiers will be awarded this ribbon upon successful completion of their initial MOS producing course. For those enlisted Soldiers assigned a MOS based on civilian or other service acquired skills, this ribbon will be awarded on honorable completion of 4 months active service.
Awards
Ribbons
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 106
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Option C, create a device for it for retirees, to signify the conclusion of Army service..
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SPC(P) (Join to see)
In my opinion, i think they should get rid of two ribbons. The army service ribbon, the ribbon you get for throwing a grenade. Its stupid to award someone for throwing an exploding steel ball. Then again it takes a special kind of stupid to mess that up too. And the army service ribbon.... please discontinue because thats what your dd214/215 and honorable discharge certificate are for.
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SFC Michael Hasbun
The exploding ball ribbon huh? I will have to check with S-1, I think I may rate that award for that incident in Thailand..
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SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA
SPC(P) (Join to see), could you provide more information on this ribbon for throwing a grenade? Unless you mean the q-bar on a marksmanship badge, I haven't heard of that one.
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For what it is worth, here are my awards as displayed on my DD214. Although I will tell you my biggest awards were never displayed on my chest. My biggest awards include raising two amazing little people and leading Soldiers into and out of combat and seeing them all walk off the airplane.
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LTC Gail Daras
Isn't that the truth. My awards sit on a coat hanging in my basement now that I am retired but my children who I was separated from for 44 months they are my awards.
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Someone wearing the uniform tells me they graduated AIT/BOLC, so the Juicy Fruit belabors the obvious. Lose it.
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1SG Michael Blount
@CWO2 S R - thinking about joining the Guard, sir - I can't collect until I'm 62, so might as well do something with the time. I'm not wired to sit on my butt
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SGT (Join to see)
1SG Michael Blount So you are saying that you make all your BASIC Trainees run around in their underwears, as only people that have graduated AIT/BOLC can wear the uniform? Truly hard core.
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Maj Chris Nelson
Top, I want you to think back to the time you walked into the Airport wearing your Greens with your ribbon....feeling "on top of the world". THAT was the beginning of your story. I started the same way (tho I suspect that that I had already been in a few years before you came in....1987 for me). In my case, I changed branch of service.... it helped tell a story to those that can read. Wearing the uniform tells the story to some, but not everyone. I would keep the initial "chest confetti" or Eye Candy...both for Moral, but also as a recruitment tool.... kids that are not in yet, will see it and think "that looks cool!" Looks cheesy to those of us that have more then 1, but to those that only have that 1....it means a lot.
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It's a one-time award meant to distinguish those who actually completed training for service from those who didn't. Given how many people enter service but -- for some reason or another -- don't make it through**, I think it's worth keeping.
I do prefer to call it the "My recruiter lied to me" ribbon, though.
**= Since people could leave for so many reasons, such as medical, I refuse to automatically assert the slightly derogatory term that they "washed out."
I do prefer to call it the "My recruiter lied to me" ribbon, though.
**= Since people could leave for so many reasons, such as medical, I refuse to automatically assert the slightly derogatory term that they "washed out."
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I've always figured it was a ribbon (Some Color) military academy cadets could wear while they had a chance to leave campus for a few hours. Not important, no purpose. Awards in general do not have the significance they once had. Unless one is awarded a LOM or Silver Star or higher, no one gives a service member a second look. Soldiers are not defined by the awards they wear, they are defined by the things they have accomplished, and the people (civilians and other Soldiers) they have helped along the way.
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CW2 (Join to see)
AMEN!!!! I agree completely! By making everyone's chest heavy, we have cheapened everything on the uniform!
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MAJ (Join to see)
I think you are wrong SFC. A famous General/Emperor once said, "Men will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon". He was the father of modern military awards and there is some truth in that to wearing the ASR. The pride it elicits is astounding to the newbie that wears only it and the NDSR.
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No...there is nothing wrong with it. I say so because we are way off the days of the DRAFT. This is an all-volunteer military and so if one decides to raise the right hand to the oath voluntarily, then it is only befitting that such a move of dedication and service has to be recognized in some way. I remember I got to my first duty station with the Army service ribbon, the global war on terrorism ribbon and the national defense ribbon and I was super proud of those three during my very first uniform inspection even though my NCOs had stacks of them...I was kind of jealous of their stacks. Now that I have my own 'stack'...10 ribbons, I look back and cherish those three that I brought from AIT. Let's keep it because it doesn't need to be fixed.
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I say no. It's not broken don't fix it. We have plenty of broken stuff that needs focus.
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SGM Matthew Quick
What's the purpose of the Army Service Ribbon?
Is this really an 'everyone gets a trophy' ribbon? I thought we were trying to get away from this mentality?
I'm not sure how the Army would benefit from removing the ASR (I'm sure there's a cost associated), but how does the Army currently benefit by awarding it to tens of thousands of Soldiers annually?
Is this really an 'everyone gets a trophy' ribbon? I thought we were trying to get away from this mentality?
I'm not sure how the Army would benefit from removing the ASR (I'm sure there's a cost associated), but how does the Army currently benefit by awarding it to tens of thousands of Soldiers annually?
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1SG (Join to see)
While I agree that literally everybody gets it, there is no difference with the NDSM and the GWTSM. So if you want to save the army money then let's get rid of all three. The biggest expense associated with getting rid of the ASR would be at the expense of the Soldiers. We are the ones that will have to buy new ribbon racks and re adjust our current racks. I don't personally remember being "given" my ASR so I had to buy mine from the get go. IF it has the potential to save the Army money, it's not worth the maybe $1K a year spent on them by the Army, if you take that little bit of motivation away from young troops. Remember back before the GWOT like when I joined the Army. The ASR was my ONLY ribbon for about a year.
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1SG (Join to see)
CWO2 S R Not to open up the haterade on the CG (my grandfather was in the Merchant Marines in WWII), but your service gives ribbons for marksmanship, honor grads and other things some would deem dubious. Best we start at home sir, lol.
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1SG (Join to see)
I'm glad you're secure because I was concerned that someone from one branch seemed to be so VERY invested in the ribbons of another, LOL.
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I love it when old guys want to stop something. I got mine, now these little punks come in and get a trophy for going to chow. We must get rid of the ASR! We must have better things to discuss.
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Maj Chris Nelson
Exactly. Everyone's "rack" tells a story. Give it a common starting point and let it diverge from there....
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It is the anchor point of the ribbon rack and helps us know a faker on sight.
Actually, the ribbon is a thank for you service in the Army. One's willingness to serve is a sacred act.
Actually, the ribbon is a thank for you service in the Army. One's willingness to serve is a sacred act.
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