Do you think this would be a good way to recognize people who stayed in for the long-haul?

Awards are one of the most broken systems in the military. I have been to too many JRTC's where guidance is given to pick two E-4 and below for AAM's and one NCO for an ARCOM. Not because it was particularly earned, but those were the numbers given. I have seen senior NCO's get that same ARCOM given for 3 years of good and faithful service to a unit. 3 weeks vs. 3 years, no balance. I know there is a difference between service and achievement but there's just no balance. Like Sam Baker said. Soldiers with 30 years receiving ARCOM's. I was handed on of those for 3 years service in the infantry. How is that equal to 30 years? How does ones rank justify their service? I've seen too many awards get kicked back for truly amazing individuals because the award did not match their rank.

I had the honor of serving in a DUSTOFF unit. I have seen pilots, crewchiefs and medics land to hot LZ's and run into fire to save someone several times a week. At the end of the day, they're told "That's what dustoff does." no award. PCS from DUSTOFF after two tours of "facing the enemy." AAM. I have seen privates get a CAB for "facing the enemy." because an IDF landed in their corner of the FOB ~250m away. He was in his room, watching a movie with headphones on. Completely unaware but fell within some arbitrary circle. I even watched the rules get changed on the go. In 2005, Iraq, too many CAB's were being given out for returning from flights with bullet holes in aircraft. (Because they always shot at us!) So, the rules changed. You had to have a grid and sworn statement of exactly where the fire came from to qualify for a CAB. If not the enemy, who shot the aircraft with 7.62x39? What happens when you fly through a complex ambush and wind up with no holes? No CAB. Meanwhile, your peers in another unit stands in formation as the entire unit pins them on. Once again, no balance.

So true and I feel what you are saying.  What is worst is that soldiers (specially high ranking) that do not earn the CAB but get one, talk as if they were in real combat.

LTC I left with a scanned set of orders after 31 years 10 months AC & RC.

that makes sense! Why waste money on making new ribbons...

I feel that I need a retirement medal just about as badly as I need the Cold War Medal that was talked about a few years ago... My retirement award is my DD214!!

DD214, paycheck, and PX rights.  That's all I need.

Maj Nelson, there are a surprising amount of people who are genuinely upset about the lack of a cold war medal. It means a lot to some..

I tend to agree with the "nay sayers".  I do not see a need to invent a medal that says I have retired.  I will have the retirement certificate framed, along with a shadow box on display which will be the "proof".  If they do go ahead with it, will there be numbers for 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 30 etc?  I would tend to think it should be roman numerals if traveling that road.

Not sure about every service, but in the Army I have never seen anyone retire with just the certificate.  The medal would relieve the S1, supervisors and many others who just don't put effort into writing, preparing or caring about the award that retirees receive for their service.  Not saying it is total commonplace but after 26.5 myself, sure seems if you left, that no one went out of their way to research your last decade of service to write an accurate recommendation. It is tough for a supervisor who knows you less than 24 months to write you an award for 20 plus of service.  I think this award would just help. Roman numerals would be appropriate. 

Good answer Private!  You get a retirement decoration, and you get a pension!

I feel the same way. Most units look at your entire career in recommending your last award. This puts some people in for awards that their last duty assignment alone wouldn't make them eligible for, and I think it's great way to recognize the different contributions that different people make. 

Not a bad idea, never thought about this one!

It'll give the award (ASR) a purpose too!

<p style="line-height: 24px; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding-left: 160px; color: rgb(44, 44, 44); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Sandy- The article says it best..."Receiving the medal for your retirement means there won’t be many opportunities to wear it in uniform, Janotta said, beyond special events such as military balls." &nbsp;</p><p style="line-height: 24px; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding-left: 160px; color: rgb(44, 44, 44); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">The level of precedence really stood out to me...second only to the MoH.&nbsp;</p><div><br></div>

Couldn't that apply to all non-valor awards that rate higher than the Silver Star or the DSC? I imagine the same could be said about all those Gen Officer/Pentagon only awards that flood the chest of our senior most personnel..

I would NOT even consider making it second to the MoH... However, I could see it given precedence over the Good Conduct Medal since it is almost the same thing but has a roman numeral for years of service

I don't think it should even be close. If anything it should be the lowest ranking award.

The same way that any 638 should be (as stellar of a recommendation as the author can possibly write to reflect how much he/she thinks that retiring soldier deserves that award); If the SM bounced from staff to staff and had a few good Arms inspections then send them on their way with something that is EQUIVALENT to that performance.  20 years of drifting along and doing nothing more than what is asked of you is nothing to be ashamed of or punish.  Give an award that is appropriate for that level of work.  To even suggest that something equivalent to a "V" device being given out just for showing up is just another slippery slope that will wind up with yet another award being so watered down that no one gives it any respect any more (BSM anyone?).  Four blocks on the 638 and one narrative written on the enclosed page that accounts to a four paragraph bio on what the SM did for the Army in his/her 20 years.  If that's an MSM for someone that busted their tail then right on.  If that soldier never did anything harder than keeping up a high OR rating at a Motor Pool (no offense to anyone, please), then send them on their way with a nice flask and an ARCOM.  

If some silliness happened where Valor awards were being tossed around like candy just for retiring so someone can get a fancy license plate when they retire then I think I'll just take the V device off my chest and give it to some Eagle Scout.  So if my point wasn't obvious enough, LT, yeah it's insulting.  And ludicrous.  And whatever brilliant concoction of the two words that someone better read than myself could come up with.