Can West Point cadets wear the GWOT-SM?

2020-03-08T18:00:56-04:00

Out of curiosity. I have seen naval Academy Midshipmen wear the NDSM and the GWOT- SM but only West Point cadets wear the NDSM. Do wear point cadets earn the GWOT-SM and are the entitled to wear it??

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Mar 8 at 2020 7:02 PM

2020-03-08T19:02:35-04:00

AR600-8-22 specifies in para 2-11 for the NDSM that USMA Cadets specificallyare eligible. The GWOT SM in para 2-21 does not.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 8 at 2020 7:40 PM

2020-03-08T19:40:21-04:00

You do understand, that all the academies can take in prior enlisted troops.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2020 4:19 PM

2020-03-09T16:19:37-04:00

The naval instructions covering the GWOT are in: SECNAV INSTRUCTION 1650.1H
(https://www.marines.mil/Portals/1/Publications/SecNavInst%201650.1H.pdf)
See Paragraph 14. To be eligible, their is only a requirement to serve 30 consecutive days in a designated theater of operation. I suppose it is possible that Midshipmen could be assigned to a ship in a designated theater during their summer "cruise" and could easily obtain the requisite 30 consecutive days. West Point cadets, as LTC Jason Mackay stated, would not be eligible. The Army Regulation is much more specific and service conducted as a cadet would not be eligible (http://www.ncosupport.com/files/AR600-8-22-military-awards.pdf). However, service prior to becoming a cadet could warrant the wearing of the GWOT.

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