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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I say keep it. That hard working junior enlisted Soldier wants ribbons on his uniform too.
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Usually, before a new award is made there is some premise behind its development. There was some write ups about the GWOT-SM, GWOT-EM, KDSM and even the not approved UAV ribbon. What was the reasoning for the ASR? Perhaps because they knew the NDSM had a time limit and didn't want to have bare chests?
Perhaps there is more to it. I'll check around but if someone knows, please post. The design seems to be based upon Kumbaya (represents all the branches) and smells like a beret.
Perhaps there is more to it. I'll check around but if someone knows, please post. The design seems to be based upon Kumbaya (represents all the branches) and smells like a beret.
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The ribbon lacks any significant value and we don't really need it to indicate anything. If anything the branch insignia indicates as much and more since it also gives someone the idea of what you do in the service.
A long time ago I had to give a class on an something that tell others about yourself. While others chose a football, a quilt they made, or similar item I chose my Class A jacket as it truly does tell others about me at least in what I have done in the military. It shows how long I have served, where I am serving, how well i shoot or throw grenades, and each ribbon has a story behind it. There was little I could say about that ribbon though. Keep what is significant, but do away with meaningless.
A long time ago I had to give a class on an something that tell others about yourself. While others chose a football, a quilt they made, or similar item I chose my Class A jacket as it truly does tell others about me at least in what I have done in the military. It shows how long I have served, where I am serving, how well i shoot or throw grenades, and each ribbon has a story behind it. There was little I could say about that ribbon though. Keep what is significant, but do away with meaningless.
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If there is to be an accomplishment ribbon, there should be one for all branches.
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Napoleon is quoted as saying something like, "give me enough ribbon and I can lead this Army to victory."
The ASR is the first recognition awarded to every soldier and establishes an expectation that soldiers will be recognize for their accomplishments. Granted, the fact that everyone gets one is odd but that isn't the point. It enables soldiers to have something to wear appropriately, IAW the regulations.
If we were to change the regulation, we could award the ASR to enlisted only (like the Good Conduct Medal). Over time, officers with an ASR, would be recognized as former enlisted in the same manner as officers with the NCO development ribbon are recognized. Officers don't/shouldn't need the recognition for graduating. So, no need to award it to them.
The ASR is the first recognition awarded to every soldier and establishes an expectation that soldiers will be recognize for their accomplishments. Granted, the fact that everyone gets one is odd but that isn't the point. It enables soldiers to have something to wear appropriately, IAW the regulations.
If we were to change the regulation, we could award the ASR to enlisted only (like the Good Conduct Medal). Over time, officers with an ASR, would be recognized as former enlisted in the same manner as officers with the NCO development ribbon are recognized. Officers don't/shouldn't need the recognition for graduating. So, no need to award it to them.
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1SG (Join to see)
I agree with you and Napoleon to a point. When we have truly earned something than it has meaning, but if I look to my left and right and everyone is wearing it than it lacks meaning. We always need to recognize the achievements of our troops, but we also have a responsibility to honor the award. We have in some cases devalued the awards by how they are given or more importantly for what they are given. I have seen Army Achievement medals given out for what in many times for doiing their job, but I have seen others get the same award for working long hours after their normal duty day to prepare for an inspection beacause they want the unit to do well or spend the time training so they can make the honor guard that will represent the military over Memorial day. Leaders think they are doing right by the Soldier because it gives them promotion points. At the same time I have seen leaders that were too lazy to put their troops in for awards at all. As with most things in life the answer is a proper balance that values the award as well as the Soldier.
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COL (Join to see)
I do not disagree that there are challenges in our award process. Some award too many for the mere point that they can approve awards. Some receive awards due to the fact that they look good in uniform and are favored by the leader. Some get few if any awards, despite their own accomplishments because they are 'disfavored.' The ASR was created between wars (authority to wear the NDSM). It might be time to end this practice but again, policy is decided by politicians.
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I believe it was created to give a new look to the uniform for new Soldiers just getting into the Service. Another Ribbon to keep straight on the uniform
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Just to the point, I think we should keep it because when I went through OSUT for 19D at Knox we had people fail, get recycled, hurt, or just beg to be released. I think during the process of boot camp we lost at least a dozen guys to the reason I stated above and it seemed like we went from 2 platoons to one in the end of the cycle due to reasons stated. So yeah, I think the school is worth the ribbon its the 1st real accomplishment of a soldiers career. I can promise we all remember boot camp, so it must have meant something.
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I pulled out my awards and OER book and the first award after the ASR I received was an ARCOM for the entire period I served at the 7th Infantry Division (L) from July 89 - July 93 as a 2LT and 1LT. For whatever reason I never received an AAM in the Army after 20 years. So that lonely ASR was all I had for my military photo for boards for promotion to captain. Officers do not receive the good conduct medal. I wear that service ribbon proudly with the rest of my awards which now include 5 MSMs, 1 JSCM, 1 JSAM, and many others. My favorite award is my UN medal because it has the colors of the mission I served in, MINURSO in Western Sahara, Africa. I haven't run into anyone who has that medal.
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I don't see any reason to get an award for completing basic training or a school house. In the Marine Corps we get the National Defense Ribbon/Medal for joining during a time of war. Even that should be going away soon if we stay at "peace". Of course if we get in to a mess again it'll stay around. As for our schooling, we get a certificate of completion and an official MOS... and a pat on the back. I think that's all it SHOULD be. Get awards because they show recognition for what you've done or gone through, not as a 'gimmie' because you completed a course or tossed a grenade or something ridiculous like that.
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COL (Join to see)
If you don't like the ASR, you are going to hate what the Air Force gives out in awards.
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SGM Matthew Quick
SGM I think it should be discontinued and maybe replaced with an award related to the successful completion of their respected MOS.
It would be no different then you receiving an award for an NCO's school like WLC. Just my two cents.
SGM I think it should be discontinued and maybe replaced with an award related to the successful completion of their respected MOS.
It would be no different then you receiving an award for an NCO's school like WLC. Just my two cents.
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