Can some ribbon racks be over the top, or is more always better?

Well, the AF does tend to give out ribbons for just about everything.... ;o)

I believe the AF needs to return to the 'all, some or none' days...

Once upon a time one could wear "all, some or none" when it came to ribbons. Not sure what the AFI says now but, if they are earned then by all means wear them proudly...

I have always been a proponent that personnel should wear the medals and ribbons they earned - proudly. My first supervisors (1980's) used to say "if you earned them then wear them." Those old-timers also used to say enlisted wear their stripes on the sleeves and officers wear their rank on their collar or epaulets."

For those that say we should have stripes on our sleeves for years of service like the other services I disagree. We are the Air Force and corporately have decided to wear a ribbon denoting our years of service. I know the Air Force was at one time the Army Air Corps, but we are no longer, nor have we been since 1947. The Air Force, like each of the other services, has tried to develop its own image to include uniforms, traditions, etc.

Look at the medals, ribbons, and badges worn by members of the other services. Some are the same, yet some are very distinct and different, and I bet if you asked them to change to the way they do it then they too would be against it.

If you earn them, you get to wear them.

Problem is not all earning is weighted the same. See the discussions on Awards being political, or based on Rank, Race and Gender.

I have always notice the difference in ribbon disbursment between the different branches of service. i.e. the Marines tend to have less sevice ribbons than that of the Air Force. The Air Force has a ribbon for everything. Knowing which side the fork and the knife go on. Which direction the toilet paper should face. One for passing the shower test ''lather,rinse,repeat". They are pretty ridiculous. By the way, How manny stripes and knick Knacks can you fit on one sleeve?

Most of the branches have a bunch of BS medals and what not ..oh you participated in a field day here's a ribbon.. Oh you didn't go on any deployments here take a good effort ribbon .. Oh you went on a field op .. That's cute here's a ribbon for that... It takes away the point and pride of wearing those medals and ribbons.. More medals and ribbons does not necessarily mean they have done more ..a lot of Combat units in the Marines don't give out pussy fart awards and when you see what they have earned you can decifer what they are and more times than not there awards are from completing tours and putting there lives on the line instead of getting BS for sitting in the rear with the gear

Wow I don't even have words to explain the amount shock that rack gives.

I dont remember how many I have since I have not looked at my uniform in ages/ retirement. Was never big on awards. The Army as of the last few years have been handing them out like candy. Before desert storm it was rare to see a lot of ribbons. You had to do something exceptional just to get an AAM.
I dont believe in PCS awards. You did your job the last 4 years have an award. NONSENSE! You retired heres an MSM for what you did or did not. Again nonsense. Especially if you didn't earn one while active. Spec ops have their own requirements and due to their missions I can understand it.
The air force on the other hand exceeds excess and flair. My brother is a Major select C17 pilot currently in Nevada flying drones. And he has a rack almost as big as mine with about 12 years in both enlisted and officer. Not to pick on the Air force but really. You showed up on time for a month, heres an award, urinated in the toilet with no spillage heres an award. Learned to put batteries in the remote heres another riibbon. You get my point. I work with The Marines.You look at their racks theres not much there. You have to do something exceptional to get navy achivement and really exceptional for a Navcom. No bronze star for merit just cause you were in combat theater.
Some Marine NCOs have no awards. But they are still exeptional Marines especially since they were chosen to be instructors.
And just because you have a rack doesnt mean you are great at your actual job. Ive seen soldiers write their own awards up embellishing themselves for what they may or may not have done. It gets reviewed by the person who was supposed to do the write up up to the BN command and wala an aam.
Awards should be given for exceptional work and actions not the status quo, tradition or just being there.
My 2 bits.

My understanding is that some branches receive awards for things accomplished that other branches do not. Perhaps I'm wrong.