Posted on Nov 8, 2014
Can some ribbon racks be over the top, or is more always better?
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Ribbons
Air Force
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yes that is allot, I had a few after 24 years as well. I wonder the "rack" stands out more because its on a darker blue background. Just a thought
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He was awarded them, wear them. It shows that he didn't twiddle his thumbs throughout his career!!!
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He has twenty ribbons BELOW national defense... I'm guessing a lot of give me's..... At least the ones before the National Defense
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42 if I counted right, that is insane. This is proof that ribbons are given out like candy in the Air Force.
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SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM
They even gft a ribbon for folding handkerchiefs at Lackla d AFB! Just kidding!
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Before i got out in 2009 I know the rules were all or all for ribbons. As you can see from his ribbons and badges he was a rigger and enlisted aircrew which represents half his ribbons. He also according to his ribbon rack did 6 tours combined just in Iraq and Afghanistan. I'm also not sure how many other units besides mine have gotten the Outstanding Unit Award with Valor besides the 352 SOG which got their V for getting deployed on an embassy rescue in the Ivory Coast in 2002. So he could have very well been on a gunship or another unit like mine in the Special Operations that did deploy, but with out a name or bio I'm not sure.
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The Air Force should be embarrased that somoene can have a billboard like that. I am sure he has entries in his service record book for everyone of these but the Air Force should really wonder how someone can amass that many awards (medals and ribbons).
By way of comparison, Chesty Puller, one of the most decorated Marines in the history of the Corps had 27 ribbons. He fought in Nicaragua and Haiti, during the Banana Wars, served during World War I, World War II (5 Campaigns in the Pacific) and Korea (Chosin). He was awarded 5 Navy Crosses, a Silver Star and Bronze Star w/V. This guy makes Puller look like a boot.
My Dad was a career Chief Master Sergeant in the Air Force, served 27 years and two tours in Vietnam and doesn't have half the awards of this guy. I know some might say different era's, differnet times. My retort would be that they were times when awards were bestowed with a little more thought and not so easily.
By way of comparison, Chesty Puller, one of the most decorated Marines in the history of the Corps had 27 ribbons. He fought in Nicaragua and Haiti, during the Banana Wars, served during World War I, World War II (5 Campaigns in the Pacific) and Korea (Chosin). He was awarded 5 Navy Crosses, a Silver Star and Bronze Star w/V. This guy makes Puller look like a boot.
My Dad was a career Chief Master Sergeant in the Air Force, served 27 years and two tours in Vietnam and doesn't have half the awards of this guy. I know some might say different era's, differnet times. My retort would be that they were times when awards were bestowed with a little more thought and not so easily.
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MSgt (Join to see)
I agree somewhat with you. My Grandfather served in Vietnam with the 1st Cavalry and he left the service with 4 ribbons. I have been in the Air Force for six years and have 14 ribbons. I haven't been to Iraq or Afghanistan(stupid AWACS).
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Cpl Jeff N.
Maj Chris Nelson. I did not say you should be embarrased about your service to your country in the Air Force. The embarrasment was over the awards/decorations process int he Air Force. As I mentioned my Dad was career Air Force, two tours in Vietnam, worked in the security service all the way to the NSA and had maybe 4 rows of ribbons.
I used Chesty Puller as an example of someone that served a very long career and was engaged in significant and extensive combat operations for comparison and contrasting.
The process of awards and decorations starts to look more like a process to make people feel good about what they do rather than recognizing true accomplishment in the Armed Forces.
I used Chesty Puller as an example of someone that served a very long career and was engaged in significant and extensive combat operations for comparison and contrasting.
The process of awards and decorations starts to look more like a process to make people feel good about what they do rather than recognizing true accomplishment in the Armed Forces.
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SSgt Michael Cox
It isn't just the Air Force almost all awards cross to other branches. So every branch has about the same amount.
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SSgt (Join to see)
I agree with Cpl Jeff N. in the respect that the level of entitlement to awards and decorations needs to be put in check. The original intent of these awards was to award warriors on the battlefield. I'm not saying clerks, cooks and other support personnel shouldn't be recognized but when those folks have more decorations than a Japanese Admiral something is wrong.
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The picture is a bit unclear but maybe someone can help me out here.
Is the USAF "I Graduated From Basic Training" Ribbon on the bottom row or on the next to bottom row?
I don't doubt the gentleman's entitlement to all of those gongs, where I start to question matters is when I see this gentleman with 12 rows of awards while General Patton had only seven. That's when I start thinking that "just maybe" there are a "few" too many awards/decorations being handed out.
Is the USAF "I Graduated From Basic Training" Ribbon on the bottom row or on the next to bottom row?
I don't doubt the gentleman's entitlement to all of those gongs, where I start to question matters is when I see this gentleman with 12 rows of awards while General Patton had only seven. That's when I start thinking that "just maybe" there are a "few" too many awards/decorations being handed out.
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TSgt Joshua Copeland
The USAF Training Ribbon is second on the right, bottom row. (http://www.afpc.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=7829)
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My brother retired from the Air Force. I think he has all of those same ribbons on the bottom five rows that he got in Air Force recruit training. I know that's an exaggeration but, seriously, if I remember correctly, he got two or three ribbons just for getting through Air Force recruit training. My other brother, who is a retired Marine Corps colonel, and I still give him a hard time about it. But, hey, that's what brothers are for. ;)
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TSgt Joshua Copeland
Cpl Mark McMiller. here is a video of the M4 qualification course.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ0BxoZImDo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ0BxoZImDo
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