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

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.

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.

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. ;)

I think it should be allowed, but not required. For DA Photos, boards, etc. you should only wear your top 6.

Wow

TSgt Joshua Copeland, wear what you're authorized to wear.

Part of the issue is the Air Force just has has too many individual and unit awards. Many of them are awarded for right place, right time, and require no more than just showing up for work to qualify for. On that Command Chief's uniform are about 14 ribbons that don't exist in any of the other armed services. By don't exist I mean that none of the other services have an award for what the AF awards theirs for. There are two Army awards on his uniform as well. Take those awards away and that rack starts to look a lot more like other senior NCO racks I'm used to seeing.

I'm not knocking anyone's career choice or their achievements. All I'm saying is the AF lays it on a little thick.

Here is the BLUF....HALF of his ribbon rack has to do with leadership.
Picture this.... If I had a ribbon for every MCI or non-participatory school... I would have ribbons over my shoulder.
I already have 25 ribbons on my rack...so I am quite stacked....but over 25 years....yes....I would not expect anything less. Some have stars and some have oak clusters....but beside the point... I have zero logic to pass on.
I do know that after review....that the lower half of these ribbons are for (marksmanship, leadership, being present to formation, and just basic air force attendance). So if we really tally what this dude really has...he is only wearing a tiny portion of what is earned versus what a serviceman is required to do on a daily basis.
As a former United States Marine...I think that there is a distinct line between what you do as it is required of you versus what is above and beyond your rank and file.

Overall.,,, I don't agree with the USAF awards process...but...it is a sister service and well...they need something to feel good about...because they are the...'everyone gets a trophy' service component.

I'm sure there is a time and place for the full rack. The Service Dress Jacket is a good choice, but for day to day Airman have the option to wear all some or none on their duty uniform. when I would wear Class B blues, (shirt and pant) I only wore medals ribbons in which were awarded in citation. At some bases the Wing Commander allowed wear of name tag and qualification badge only if desired.

It looks as if this is an official photo for his OMPF. I think for that purpose, wearing all authorized ribbons, badges, and other devices is appropriate. This is the photo that will be seen by the promotion board. If day-to-day duties require the wear of a dress uniform, however, it may be best to go with a less. Not for the sake of appearance, but simply for the sake of being functional. Those ribbons aren't cheap and that's an awful lot of surface area to get caught on something.