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

Spot on with your comments SFC McNabb. I did the same thing because I liked it.

Same boat I volunteered because coaching H.S. Football was always a passion of mine. Did not even think about awards while I was doing, just focusing on my defense! G2G. Awards do not define the person the actions do. Good point and should be reciprocated throughout the ranks!

I've had many discussions on this the past few months. It seems the trend is those soldiers with a chest full of awards tend to view them as no big deal, shouldn't be the goal, and don't mean what they used to mean. Those younger and/or newer soldiers with few awards tend to feel more of a sense of accomplishment, validation, and motivation to get awards. I can't say motivation to get a ribbon is bad motivation if it leads them to do the tasks associated with said reward, however, of course they should quickly grow out of reward being the sole motivation. I strongly believe that if punishment or discipline for poor behavior needs to be carried out on paper, then by equal measure reward for excellent actions should merit the same. Tangible reward can make good soldiers better, and turn fair soldiers into great ones if given fairly and complemented with a good dose of expectations, responsibility, and encouragement. I certainly don't think medals and ribbons should be the sole goal for the seeker, nor the end-all for the giver. It is merely a good affirmation in a much larger process of cultivating soldiers and leaders. Just some of my thoughts on the matter.

That's the word I was searching for.

I've been seeing quite a bit of interest in the CIB and CAB, again why wouldn't you know if you rated one of those badges?

Since you bought it up LTC Ford do you mind me asking what your style was?

SFC Richard Giles - I tried to be consistent across commands from Platoon leader on up. I recommended some soldiers for impact awards and most who performed well for end-of-tour awards. I had to go to bat for some for my troops in cases where somebody higher up wanted to downgrade the award. Sometimes I was successful and other times I wasn't.

Nothing wrong with that standard sir. Thx for the response.

Very well put Cpl. I did the same as well. Your last sentence means more to me then anything else.

A little more research...

Nice! AR 600–8–22 • 11 December 2006. Para 1-31 was a much needed change! Revoke the shit of pretty much every Badge for people that turn out to be slugs.

MSG Pat Colby - Imagine that, they can't keep everything in 1 reg. Keeping people employed I reckon.

MSG Pat Colby - Agreed

When you say "refuse to do an Air Assault Operation," you do mean a sling load operations right? Wow, didn't know anyone was scared to do those.

1SG Cameron M. Wesson - Agreed. I'm not saying some individuals don't deserve awards they are getting. It just seems they don't mean as much as they used to.

SFC Richard Giles interesting that you should bring that up. Today driving across montana on leave I was called by a LTC i have been mentoring for a half dozen years... and the subject was awards and evaluations.

Because some awards are now... my opinion... undervalued... they don't mean as much. Coupled with everone wants to be a top block. Lets be honest... everyone can not be... nor should be... a top block.

Seeing this challenge... how does one seperate themselves from the "heard"?

My answer is simply raters and senior raters need to articulate what the ratee has contributed to the units mission. This leafs to a further issue with raters and senior raters learn how to write... but in my mind... that is self development.

Gteat discusssion and makes me want to write an article in the subject. ;o)

1SG Cameron M. Wesson - Raters and senior raters need to articulate better I do agree with you on that 1SG. When I first started writing NCOER's quite awhile back I will admit it was hard for me but learned over the years. I still wasn't the best or where I wanted to be but I was proficient.
I agree with you as well about being top block. I had a goal after my 1st deployment to make it to E8 (MSG) before I retired but as time went on and PC became an everyday watch word and hurt feelings started to come into play, well I knew it was time to leave.
Thanks for the discussion on all of this 1SG I hope we can continue on this and many more subjects.

Absolutely! Love productive conversations.

I had hoped tp make it to1SG... but after getting injured and reclassed... was happy to make SFC. Then out of the blue I got pivked up in the SZ for MSG.... then become a 1SG... then selected for USASMA.... but by then I had decided my body wouldnt continue to take the punishment... so i popped smoke.

Im sure a good deserving SFC appreciates that... as well as a up.and coming MSG.

Take care

agreed

Your last sentence says it all SFC Settle.

SFC Richard Giles - Thank you. I have been blessed with outstanding leadership examples the majority of my career. Even the poorer examples served as examples of what not to do. I know positive leadership is a cycle that must be passed on.

SFC (Join to see) - That is so true. I can't tell you how many Soldiers I've talked to in the past when they've gripped about poor leadership that I've said keep that example close so you know what right doesn't look like.

Not to be that guy, but the cat pictured needs to move 3rd row 1st and 2nd column down to 3mm. As stated in the supreme leader's handbook, no row shall exceed 4mm. I am very disappointed in the generals obedience to the supreme leader. Tis Tis.

Very good point SSG Melendez

Very well said Sgt Thompson and that last sentence is awesome. Thank you for your service as well.