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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We used to call it the "I lived and breathed medal". I think that nickname says everything we need to know about it.
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I served 4 years active duty and >10 years in the active Reserves. I’ve seen people get awards that weren’t “deserved” or “earned” and I’ve seen soldiers whom have deserved medals or awards that never received them. It’s not mine to decide whom receives or mine to decide who is denied but it’s Awarded and I’ll wear it, with Pride...
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I did not read all 257 comments so if this has already been said you may disregard. I am not advocating against them, but if folks are wanting to get rid of "gimme" awards then should they be wanting to get rid of ETS awards as well? Again I am not saying we should but, if people are saying the ASR is meaningless then ETS awards are too. I did far more to earn my ASR than I did to earn my ARCOM.
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Why, GWOT will not be around forever, I hope., That will eliminate the NDSM again and the GWOT- so it will probably be the only ribbon for a kid to have after finishing OSUT.
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Having the ASR showed everyone that I have served in more than one branch of service, and keeps me from having to answer all sorts of stupid questions about why I also have Army awards on my uniform. As they say, your rack tells a story, if you switch branches, it tells others that you have done something other than what you are currently doing.
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We have too many ribbons... it serves no purpose. Soon we will be the Air Force. The Armed Forces Service Medal needs to go too... (Engaging in "significant activity" for which no other campaign or service medal is authorized)...
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1SG (Join to see)
Sir, while I agree with you about the Air Force (I went to PLDC with an AF cross over and his rack as an E4 looked like a 20 year combat vet), the AFSM serves a purpose to fill the occasional gap. I was awarded the AFSM for missions as a courier for UNPROFOR while stationed in Germany. Flying into Zagreb, Croatia on a 5 seat unpressurized plane and finding out afterwards that we were taking sniper fire gave a deep appreciation for the award.
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LT's need something to put on their uniform. I went to some functions prior to OBC and our motor sgt would make a ribbon collection to pin something on me so I didn't look out of place :-)
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MSG James Devereaux
Very disrespectful of you to make the comment about the NDM as a “freebie”. They are earned through our military wartime service. Obviously you don’t recall a time without this “medal” but I do, I have two that were earned.
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MSG James Devereaux
1SG John Millan Maybe your service was complete bullshit and you should’ve picked a tougher MOS and assignment. That way you could “feel better” about your unearned awards. I’m so glad to be retired, even you senior NCOs act like children. It’s gross, grow your balls back boy.
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MSG James Devereaux
1SG John Millan You are an absolute idiot and disgrace to the uniform you wear. You know nothing about me and from your appearance, I wouldn’t have ever came across you. If you’d like to continue your banter, I suggest we meet face to face. I’m always free. Are you just mad because you weren’t really in the army? Maybe I hit a nerve? Act like an E8 should and not a child, it very unbecoming. What mos were you? I don’t recognize that unit patch...
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MSG John Duchesneau
MSG Devereaux and 1SG Millan - Only an act of Congress can make either of you a gentleman but both of you are showing yourselves to be bad leaders by insulting each other in a public forum. Professionalism means doing the right thing - in uniform, out of uniform, after retirement and particularly in public.
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So, a soldier accomplishes and completes something. That soldier deserves recognition. We claim to be a meritocracy, but as someone already mentioned, we provide achievement, commendation, and meritorious service medals for a PCS. I'm answering "NO", but not to preserve history. We need to preserve the medals that represent real achievement, and take a harder look at awarding medals for "meritorious service" merely as part of outprocessing.
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Welp. I started in the Army went to the Navy. I HATE THAT I CANT WEAR IT!
The point in my mind is to have a ribbon that says "I served in the army" as I have transferred branches it's notice to be in the Navy that has a ribbon that says "hey everyone, I have more experience than you think. I was in the Army before this."
Apparently, I can't wear it in the Navy. Still working on this.
The point in my mind is to have a ribbon that says "I served in the army" as I have transferred branches it's notice to be in the Navy that has a ribbon that says "hey everyone, I have more experience than you think. I was in the Army before this."
Apparently, I can't wear it in the Navy. Still working on this.
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LT (Join to see)
Interesting. I found some stuff saying that the Navy only allows certain awards. However, I would love to see the reference for this.
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