Awards(MILPER 17-095):New C Device Not for MSM because that's NOT awarded under combat conditions as of 2016. Any conversion to Bronze Star?

Sir the same things happens even in units that are deployed in forward areas. I have seen soldiers go out on a regular basis and even see action and still just get a ARCOM while those in higher ranks who didnt go out get a BSM. I was a MED PSG during my last deployment, and even i had to go out on a regular basis because i didnt have enough soldiers to provide medical coverage for patrols and convoys. And yet i was not able to recomend any of my squad leaders for BSMs.

Sure, here is a Bronze Star, but the award is only as valuable as the story behind it. Wow, you set up transient barracks for distinguished visitors! You’re a hero!

There are Colonels, and there are Leaders. You definitely described a former.

SFC (Join to see) - I heard a similar expression that went "There are 0-6's, and there are Colonels." The same could apply to a number of senior ranks, NCO and Officer.

Why not? Non combat award.

PO2 Nick Burke Historically, the in theater MSM-level award was the BSM. By authorizing it, it turned into a quota/popularity contest for that level award. All should have been a BSM w/o V device.

SFC JosephWe Wesley you are correct my friend ..that is ALL thats important.

I disagree. The MSM is specifically available to deployed troops who do a great job supporting combat operations while not under combat conditions. They do Bronze Star level work, but they simply weren't located where combat conditions exist. The failure of leaders to use common sense when writing the awards shouldn't call into question the MSM being available as a deployment award. The MSM and BSM are equivalent, but they are separated by the combat conditions standard.

Unfortunately, many high ranking officers and NCOs submitted up recommendations that were purposely written to deceive higher command by making it appear that the work was done under combat conditions when the truth is that they should have been put in for MSMs. In the end, they have to live with looking at that award fully knowing that they didn't earn it. That would be a very hard pill to swallow, especially if they are surrounded by people who know where they were during their "combat tour".

I'm old school. If you have to have a medal to get promoted or even recognized then you are a waist of air in the military

I have never been a big fan of the Army Service Ribbon, ribbon for what exactly? I think the Army in general cheapens the uniform with some really useless stuff, I would love to seen thrown into the scrap books. Sometimes I wonder if we are a fighting service or an adult version of the Boy Scouts. Far too many feel good badges, and ribbons, and I completed a school devices. How many people would go to airborne, air assault, diver, schools if their wasn't a badge involved. How many 5 jump chumps are out there? What did we send you to school for if you are not serving in an Airborne/Air Assault, Diver school slot? To be clear I have no issues with those who have served in those units, but when we send people to school just to get a badge, we run up our budget, limit funds for schools that really needed for soldiers, and are not a good return on investment.

we had a couple (Married) in my unit when we deployed to Iraq in 06 that put each other in for a CAB and got it. Because a dud flew over the convoy and hit the ground near by. mind you, no one else in the convoy put in or got a CAB, because we were told by our command not to put anyone in for it.

SGT Albert Boulay thats why the Marine Combat Action Ribbon is better it requires being directly enaged and engaging the enemy