Does a getting a award, ribbon or medal define ones career. Does having a chest full of ribbons make you a better soldier ?

2016-07-19T22:36:07-04:00

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jul 19 at 2016 10:36 PM

2016-07-19T22:36:48-04:00

Hopefully not SFC Richard Giles.
Different commands and units and commanders have different philosophies putting service members in for an award, ribbon or medal. Some have liberal policies while others have more measured policies for awards.
Badges are another matter since those are all earned - airborne, ranger, EIB, CIB, etc.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jul 19 at 2016 10:39 PM

2016-07-19T22:39:03-04:00

No! Not Necessarily. You could be a Damn Fine Soldier and done a career and never left the Garrison or the States. A chest full of Ribbons does tell me that you have seen quite a bit more than the Average Joe though. 21 years, I don't have that many.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jul 19 at 2016 11:12 PM

2016-07-19T23:12:48-04:00

No it does not

Response by 1SG Cameron M. Wesson made Jul 19 at 2016 11:26 PM

2016-07-19T23:26:06-04:00

SFC Richard Giles it depends. I know that sounds wishy washy but let me expand.

Awards show that a person has done something valorous or meritorious... consecutive awards and commendations show a pattern of performance. This is a good thing.... but only if combined with the "total" person package.

Does the soldier practice and display the LDRSHIP attributes? Do they take care of subordinate, peer, and senior alike? Do they have grit and compassion?

These create a series of building blocks that can and do result in good soldiers.

My 2 cents

Cam

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2016 11:28 PM

2016-07-19T23:28:26-04:00

The awards don't define a career but are typically a reflection.

Response by MSG Pat Colby made Jul 19 at 2016 11:32 PM

2016-07-19T23:32:50-04:00

El Oh El!

I was an Instructor for the Air Assault School. I mixed and matched all of my uniforms with Pathfinder, Air Assault wings, Master Parachutist configurations. All are Class 4 awards and the precedence is up to the wearer. We did an MTT to Ft Bragg to run a class for the 82D. I made a point of wearing my blouses that had Air Assault ABOVE Master Parachutist. You wouldn't believe the shit people tried to give me. Good times when you get to grind the gears of OCD people. I always pointed out that you could be a jump refusal and get booted down to Leg-land and keep your Jump Wings but if you refuse to conduct an Air Assault operation, you could LOSE the Air Assault wings. That usually shut them up when they looked in the Regs and found I was correct.

Response by SSgt Donnavon Smith made Jul 19 at 2016 11:34 PM

2016-07-19T23:34:36-04:00

not anymore, there are soo many participation awards now days. I got a medal for being assigned to a stateside base, merely because there were Nukes on it. in the air force if you are careful, and go to the correct base thirty days after getting to your first base you can have basic training ribbon, marksman ribbon, honor grad ribbon, national defense service medal, GWOT, and Nuke detterance service medal. 6 ribbons/medals out of training.

Response by SFC Vernon McNabb made Jul 19 at 2016 11:35 PM

2016-07-19T23:35:42-04:00

The ribbons themselves do not define the Soldier. What that Soldier did to earn those ribbons says much about him/her. I know some CoCs hand out ribbons and medals like "candy", but I know I earned everyone of mine. I am sure a lot of Soldiers could say the same. If a Soldier works only to get recognized, then I could see where your question is valid, and I have seen that. Some Soldiers volunteer just to get the ribbon. I volunteered because I liked it. The ribbon was an afterthought.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2016 4:55 AM

2016-07-20T04:55:38-04:00

I won't stop until my jacket looks like the one in the picture. No, just kidding. With the exception of awards for VALOR I think of ribbons as a "pat on the back" reward for a job well done. In my current duty I wear all my ribbons on my ASU jacket but when I am in Class "B" I only wear three: DMSM, MSM, DSMHA. Those are three I am most proud of. I feel I made the greatest impact for the "greater good" and I worked my butt off to earn those.

But, to answer your questions... I don't think they define my career. I think the impact of my actions I left on my Soldiers, section, unit and the Army as a whole define someone's career.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2016 10:01 AM

2016-07-20T10:01:18-04:00

In general no, but at a certain point i would think the abscence of the commendatory FITREPS that come with recieving a performance award would not go un noticed by a promotion/selection board

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2016 10:32 AM

2016-07-20T10:32:42-04:00

It shouldn't. Your awards of any type should be just a reflection of what you've done in that career. Personally I define my own career by my morals, integrity and my overall character and holding myself to a higher standard.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jul 20 at 2016 10:36 AM

2016-07-20T10:36:15-04:00

Awards and badges earned are simply an indication of who the SM might be.>The "rack" never interested me, i took the time to make sure it was correct, and I new what every ribbon or badge I was wearing was for. Always tough with unit awards that are only on the uniform do to duty assignment.

But I can detail the reason and cause for issuance for both my CIB's, My Bronze star, MSM, my ARCOM, and most of my AAM....though even that is getting sketchy after such a long time.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2016 1:17 PM

2016-07-20T13:17:30-04:00

NO, no it does not. there are units that just wont give award, where as others hand them out like candy.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Jul 20 at 2016 1:34 PM

2016-07-20T13:34:53-04:00

I think for the "younger" service members today, they desire to "be like" their leaders, and most leaders, especially if they deployed more than once, may have a decent rack on their chests. Now, a lot of the youngsters are also from the generation that have been awarded participation ribbons and trophies for everything they have participated in and therefor have developed a sense of entitlement when it comes to receiving awards. Me personally, I do not think that one's "fruit salad" defines their career, but it can tell what one may have done over the course of that career, ask, there may be a good story to an individual's rack.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jul 20 at 2016 2:01 PM

2016-07-20T14:01:08-04:00

Honestly, first thing I look for nowadays is a combat patch and how many overseas bars they are rocking (for Army anyways).

Response by SGT Aaron Atwood made Jul 20 at 2016 3:47 PM

2016-07-20T15:47:40-04:00

It shouldn't. One of the best leaders I know has a stack not much bigger than mine, but I'd follow him to hell and back, and make it a regular trip.

Response by SGT Jacob Thompson made Jul 20 at 2016 4:11 PM

2016-07-20T16:11:37-04:00

I would say no it does not I got out as an E5 infantry team leader with 5 arcoms 5aams 2 good conduct medals and down the list to the army service ribbon I had lots of metals but if I was ww2 era I wouldn't have half that wouldn't make me a worse soldier for having fewer ribbons also wouldn't make me a better soldier for haveing more....
I do however feel that we get to many awards now days. We all look nice and we all look like hero's but it takes away from those who are legitimate bad asses.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jul 20 at 2016 4:17 PM

2016-07-20T16:17:33-04:00

Two questions: do awards and decorations define your career? No, but they are an outward illustration of your career. They can tell the informed world where you've been, how well you did your duty, and highlight heroism. Does having many awards and decorations make you a better service member? IMO it may raise self confidence, but I don't see it improving your technical or leadership capability.

Response by CW2 Louis Melendez made Jul 20 at 2016 6:58 PM

2016-07-20T18:58:01-04:00

I would say...depends

The award system is so messed up these days (probably has been all the time) that sometimes makes you wonder if a person with a huge stack really earned them because of their performance.

Is supposed to be a reflection but you really have to examine their DA Form 638's (Recommendation for Award) to have a real grasp on wether that person is really a good soldier or just a spotlight ranger.

We all know that if the rank is there and if the person writing it knows how to sell it...the sky is the limit!

Response by SPC John Lebiecki made Aug 3 at 2016 5:16 PM

2016-08-03T17:16:27-04:00

Since most of them are Participation awards anyways, I would say no.

Response by CPT Jim Schwebach made Aug 7 at 2016 10:18 AM

2016-08-07T10:18:13-04:00

I don't know how it works now, but certain decorations could affect your career path in the past. Medal Of Honor recipients were limited in their combat assignments as were recipients of multiple Purple Hearts.

Response by MSG John Hillery made Oct 11 at 2017 6:12 AM

2017-10-11T06:12:28-04:00

It just shows everyone what kind of soilder you are.

Response by CPT Christopher Coker made Oct 11 at 2017 6:22 AM

2017-10-11T06:22:19-04:00

Loaded question -- getting an award doesn't define one's career. However, often times the actions taken to deserve that award do. Ribbons and medals don't define who we are/were as soldiers, but they tell a history of the successes we had/have during our time in service.

Having more ribbons and badges don't make us better soldiers, but going through the trials and tests to earn those badges certainly do.

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Oct 11 at 2017 6:43 AM

2017-10-11T06:43:37-04:00

I have always looked at awards and decorations a visual on how well I was doing in my career. In the case of enlisted folks all medals and ribbons below the good conduct medal were the sort of "everyone gets a medal, medal". the kind you get for serving, deployments, etc. Those above that defined how you excelled, or not. I fell into the "or not" category. I was never an exemplary Airman or NCO but I got the job done. In my days, during Vietnam, I seldom saw anyone with more than 5-6 rows of medals. Nowadays, and I mean no disrespect, it appears that everyone has a rack of "fruit salad" reaching to the point of what we use to call a BX War Hero.

I believe that medals and ribbons are necessary to recognize achievement but to what end? Perhaps a look at what is being awarded service wide needs a review. As an example, the USAF and USN award medals (ribbons) for marksmanship where the USA and USMC award a medal to be worn below the ribbon rack. All are currently being awarded the NDSM. During the days after Vietnam the USAF created a "training ribbon" awarded at the completion of basic. Why?

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2018 11:12 AM

2018-01-05T11:12:05-05:00

I think it souly depends on the awards you have. If you have all these pointless awards that anyone can get then no. But if you have awards from combat missions or what not then sure your awards can define what type of service man/woman you are.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Jan 5 at 2018 12:18 PM

2018-01-05T12:18:00-05:00

Better Soldier, opens up a world of crap, the whole move up or move out doctrine sucks. I liked my job as an E-6 and I did well at it. But it was up or out for me, so I have to get my picture taken so some POG can count my ribbons and get promoted to a job I hate. They could just leave me alone to do a job I enjoy and I am good at

Response by PO1 James Booker made Jan 7 at 2018 4:32 PM

2018-01-07T16:32:26-05:00

The US military has become everything they made fun of other countries for a few decades ago. The term "medal creep" doesn't come close to describing what's happening now days.

I know everyone will say "I earned every one of mine" which although may technically be true...but only so because that bar in many instances has been dropped MUCH lower than years past. Hell...I'll even admit that I was surprised at the amount I received during Desert Storm. What's even MORE annoying are the amount of "been there" participation medals/ribbons. A ribbon just for getting past basic? C'mon. My great uncle built mulberries under German fire at Normandy then shipped over to the Pacific where he island hopped while getting shot at by the Japanese as he was building runways. He retired after 20 years with something like 10 ribbons/medals. I see junior enlisted get that after a deployment or two.

You really can get a sense for not really "who" the member is...but more for where they've been and what they've done. I pay almost no attention to the basement but only about the top two rows or so. Those are usually the personal awards...everything else is just kinda holding them up.

The old joke was "He's got more medals than a General in the Mexican Air Force". NOW...the Mexicans have turned that one around...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2018 12:42 PM

2018-01-08T12:42:40-05:00

I know a lot of people with a lot of ribbons and they are still mediocre leaders.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2018 12:45 PM

2018-01-08T12:45:36-05:00

We have the ability to send graduating OCS candidates to air assualt school before they head off to their BOLC. All it does is give them a cool guy badge before they became a leader.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Jan 8 at 2018 1:10 PM

2018-01-08T13:10:08-05:00

Awards and ribbons by themselves man nothing. Its what's behind those ribbons that may (key word) indicate the kind of soldier you see before you.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Nov 12 at 2018 4:09 PM

2018-11-12T16:09:51-05:00

They don't define a career, I'd say they visually illustrate it... Your rack is functionally your "resume". It's a visual representation of your career.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Apr 28 at 2019 7:28 PM

2019-04-28T19:28:24-04:00

I remember back before I entered the AF
Reserves I was apprenticed under my Gr.
Aunt who was a certified/degree’d Chef..
when I received my certificate, she awarded me with a brush plated crossed
Chef knife, Chef Fork and a Chef steel through the center. It had a pin and hook with a lockover. Technically I couldn’t wear it on the AF uniform itself.. we kept our kitchen cool in the winter mainly I think because the boiler wasn't That good. Most heat was projected to the dining room for our “guests”...( a bit of sarcasm there, eh?). I picked up another set of utility uniforms and put new tapes and chevrons and command logo and I wore the other under my whites to keep me warm.. later as the heat scale went up the shirt went in my locker with my Chef pin.. I decided i needed it .. went and fastened inside my shirt pocket flap.. It was my good luck emblem.. seen me through a lot of sitreps.. the way it was designed I needed a backdrop oval piece to put it on.. I consulted a guy at base hobby shop.. we went to the automotive shop and he affixed it to a oval piece that was perfect and made it so it wouldn’t come off.. had it a long time. I Gaza’s it on my civilian jacket collar and was on a transit bus headed back to Morristown and then to the base at McGuire.. I got confronted .. (not in a mean way but inquisitive.. Asked where I got my pin and I told him and the apprenticeship I done for 3,years with my Great Aunt and how a U.S. Chef org questioned my apprenticeship because they felt she may have given me an easy ride.. I told him it was anything but easy.. she had 4 other apprentices.. I think they got easier rides than I did.. but I learned a lot with her.. This guy asked me what a blonde sauce was and I explained it and what brown sauce was., it had a nuttier flavor., .well he asked so much he almost missed his transfer point
We shook hands and he went on his way.. He asked where he might reach me and I
Told him at McGuire AFB.. at the Airman’s Dining Facility .. you are in the AF, Oui? I
Answered him .. He came when I was TDY at Fort Lee in, Va. left me a nice note. . Said he had met my Chef Lt. And Chef CMSGT and others. Said they all said positive words.. He had Lunch and left.. He didn’t say anything then.. he told me in another note.. The Lt had readit and found it quite informative..and copied some info from it.. We soon used it later..
He wrote some other ideas .. she liked them.. and copied them.. If there were any complaints he didn’t say.. I only had a month left and went on leave before going
O’seas.. He had shown me a certificate he gof in the French Army. He had gone to a Chef school because they thought he had shown promise.. He asked me what rate I held, I told him A1C which is 2 stripes, He took that to mean corporal.. I said that is Army.. A1C is E-3.. He seemed confused a bit .’..but got over it.. Well the responsibility was there, at least for me. I had taken and passed a SKT test.. I had the $30 extra a month and responsibility like a Sgt.. just not the chevrons . I was proud to be picked for that test and responsibility and the pay .