Blood rank. Did you do it, did you get it? Was it wrong?

I got it when I was promoted the first time in 02 when we still had BDU's and Pin on rank. There in my infantry unit it was voluntary. Some of the old NCO's just done it as tagging. Left the pins on and struck it. Only problem I had was the winters I was wearing Had the Elvis collar. OUCH!

3 of my promotions from E-5 to E-7 were blood rank and I was extremely proud to receive them that way one of them the wife did. I don't see anything wrong with it, if people don't get carried away.

Gotta tack on those crows.

As long as it is voluntary.

SSG Burns, I over my military career in the army if we needed to give blood, we at FT Riley, KS. The MASH unit was at the top of the hill so the platoon March upto the to gave blood and went back to work, never seen this at my post. Was this just for AF, I as in MI?

We would line up outside of our cp and ever em, nco and platoon leader would pull the pins out of your chest and gorilla punch your collar with fresh holes. It was a celebration of pride and accomplishment, hurt like hell but you couldn't wipe our smiles off with a brick.

The military offers a multitude of situations/opportunities for cohesion, unfortunately the majority of the world seems to be leaning toward individualism which may sound good but no man's an island. You can't really have appreciation for anything without having endured some form of venture, loss, or suffering. No loss no gain , no pain no gain.Often military may even regret recognition whether their pride or selflessness prevent or that it was only their sense of duty. A little pain clears our conscience and leaves us deserving. My opinion

I never got blood rank, but I did get blood wings in the 80's. No, it is not hazing. They pinned your wings on your uniform without backings and the black hats walked up to congratulate you. If you wanted blood wings you had to ask for them. I said, "Beat me like the pig that I am." The black hat hauled off and punched my wings so hard he almost knocked me down. I was happy, I was proud, and glad to be part of the tradition.

When I was in the Corps, I was blood ranked for every rank and blood striped at E4. It was an honor to go through it just as all of my brothers did before me. I envied and respected those who went before me and, and those below couldn't wait for there turn. Such is the way of the infantry.

When my ex was promoted to 1LT, I blood pinned on new rank at her ceremony. She asked for it to be done, but it was a shock to her unit (Air Force).

I've been in the Army for almost 5 years now and I've never seen a blood pin happen so far. When I eventually hit SGT (such a pain to get rank in a NG unit...), I'll ask one of the older guys that used to serve in the Corps to pin my stripes on. I don't think it will mean anything to anyone else, but it will mean the world to me.

Traditions should be upheld and this particular one dates back before any of us were even a though in our grandparents minds.

Blood rank and blood wings. I always feel sorry for those who never got either.