Army Service Ribbon - Should it be discontinued?

I lean towards getting rid of it. Wearing the uniform and wearing your branch insignia shows you have met the standard of being a soldier. I also think we should have a ceremony pinning on that insignia upon completion of AIT and OBC and WOC. Marines are not addressed by their rank or by Marine until they graduate. They have a ceremony where they receive their Eagle Globe and Anchor instilling that pride of achievement that they are known for we should do the same I wore my Field Artillery Cannons my MS IV year as a Cadet and for the 3 months between my commissioning and the start of FAOBC. While I was proud to wear them I wasn’t a qualified Field Artillery Officer and shouldn’t have worn them until I graduated from FAOBC.

I think we have much larger issues to address. Plus, why detract from the first colorful addition to the uniform most Soldiers' parents will see?

If you have the NDSM, why do you need the ASR? Seems kinda redundant.

Actually, the only benefit I see to it is when/if a service member goes to another US military service. When wearing your ribbons, it shows that you served in the Army.

I would have to disagree with getting rid of the ribbon. Soldiers earned it and it is a mark of distinction between having taken an oath and becoming a soldier and no longer being a civilian. I realize the uniform does the same thing, but like Napoleon said, “it is amazing ehat a man will do for a piece of useless ribbon.” Let the guys have their ribbons.

I never liked it when I was in myself, felt like a participation trophy as is was / is issued. now if they would put some device on it for multiple MOS Qual (school or OJT rated) THEN I would endorse keeping it. I say that knowing there were and are many like myself who have "earned" it more than once and it would serve to show others that you are more than a one trick pony.

If you fit the criteria then it has a purpose.

If we take it away then the NCO Proffessional Development, Overseas Service Ribbon and a number of the other 80s ribbons medals could be put aside as well. I like the fact it's a form of continuing the old army traditions back to WWI. Notice it's rainbow coloration, it's just like the WWI Victory and WWII Victory Medals. I say keep it!

Most useless ribbon ever. It's basically a participation ribbon for soldiers.

Honestly, we were in formation before being dismissed to go to our next duty station/leave/fort home, the platoon sergeants just handed them to us and said "here". I didn't even know what it was for untiI looked it up. When we graduated basic we never received our NDSMs. We bought them later. Someone must have forgot:/