Does everyone need something "shiny" to make themselves stick out from other branches/services?

Actuually, we just wear our Eagle, Globe and Anchor and it's usually, "Nuff said"?

In the USMC, one doesn’t see a lot of scare badges on their troops. But, conversely, they place an eagle, globe and anchor sticker on anything not moving.

My father was a WWII Marine in the Pacific with the 1st Marine Division. He fought with the Old Breed at Cape Glouchester, Guadal Canal, and Peleliu. He retired from the Marines in 1961 at the rank of Lt Col after 20 years of service.

As I recall, he had 6 ribbons.. SIX. Oh, and an expert marksman badge.

I don't presume to know the answer to your question, but I was in the Army, I went to numerous training schools, some only Army, but some were joint services schools. and with out exception all the Marines gathered together, and did not mix with the other services. So maybe you are feeling a little guilty, I don't know that either, but something does not ring true about your motivation and your question.....

There Air Force didn’t get shiny stuff until the mid 70’s when I got back from S.E.A. I noticed the S.P.s on the gate and some had those specialty badges with that fake chrome on them.. it looked tinny.. like out of a box of lucky charms. Bkfst cereal.. I always thought the brushed metal were better.. shiny makes you a target.. my career field has a specialty badge.. now it’s had because it got pulled for som reason.. it came out in ‘85 but held back because not enough were ready(services specialty badge (here it is, mine is for a 7 level in the Services field.. of which Food service is a part of. I served as Cook/Baker Supervisor(it wasn’t consolidated as a career field until ‘80-‘81 I believe. they made it retroactive to early in 70’s so Vets in Veteran Service orgs could legally wear them on the Post’s uniforms.
For some reason they eerre pulled from being worn or issued (or both?) by those still active..
Anyway I got the shiny, I would have like having the brushed metal.. it doesn’t look “tinny”... maybe there are some still out there?.. somebody that doesn’t care and would give it up.. enough of that.. I thought it cool when it came out.. I did all my work with due diligence and was proud of being a Cook/Baker Supervisor. I think what added to it.. I had an Associates in Applied Sciece(Combined Culinary and Restaurant mgt. degree [with help from CCAF, with creds from CDCs, OJT/apprenticeship, NCO schools, Prof Mil edu. Classes.. other classes I completed.. ]). There are other degrees through CCAF (comm Col. AF) and other Military services continued edu. Schools. My Fellow RP members who followed up and took advantage of their Services continued edu. Services know what i’m Speaking of.. it can shave off so much School time. CCAF gave me FULL creds for my CDCs.. and other edu. Programs I completed..
Those in other services and the AF, AF Reserve and Air Guard really need to tdke advantage of these offerings before they are gone.. don’t just let them sit there.. in your service jackets.. there is a place for your supervisors to note your continuing extra education.. but they can’t
Do it if you don’t make the effort to continue !
It can be an important add-in in your jacket
To show your continuing to improve yourself..
(When you can... ask to see your jacket so you can see you are being noted for your continued
Edu. Efforts.. and completions.. you need to stay on top, it’s not their job to note it.. of course a good unit Training NCO will be I
On top of it.. so YOU stay on it to make sure!).
I know I strayed a bit., but I think that the two
(Specialty badge and skill level/ continued education effort is all connected ). One more little note: Military Retirees should check with their services Cont. edu. Programs to see if their cont edu services are still active or closed out. You don’t or may not be aware of their status,so check! Maybe if you’re recent retiree
(Within 6 months) you might be able to access those creds that are sitting there.. don’t let them go to waste !

Nothing looks as good as Marine dress blues.

I don't know about you others,but I earned all the patches,ribbons,pins,and medals I wore on my uniform. If the Army says I can wear them, I'll will and did. I think it shows your branch and the others some of what you have accomplished through out your carrier.

I was Army, enlisted and commissioned in Armor. Desert Storm among other tours of duty over a decade. My dad was a career Air Force fighter pilot and retired as a Bird Colonel with Korean and Vietnam War service over 28 years. Oldest brother was USMC Cobra Pilot for 16 years including Beruit in '83. Middle brother was Navy on nuclear Boomers during the height of the Cold War. Yes, the Army uniform has more do-dads than the other services and the Navy is in my opinion the most reserved by far (including individual awards and decorations)! I am biased, but to me, the Army uniform does the best job of telling you the story and background of each soldier. A soldier's life story is in plain view on display for everyone who knows how to read it: what he's accomplished, where she's been, who he was with when he did it, and probably enough clues to let you know who your mutual acquaintances might be.

i just responded to a question about removing combat patches because it might offend those that dont have them....and said this....we need to stop dick measuring and judging each other. No more calling people POGs and Legs, not because they might get offended...but to say that we all play on a team. Just because the quaterback doesnt score touchdownds, doesnt make him unimportant....

I did my job to the best of my ability, was recognized for my accomplishments and retired and needed nothing to call attention to myself while I served. There are a lot of us who didn't grandstand during our career and they are still serving their country quietly and with confidence. Still waters run deep they say and a majority of veterans served this way. I have seen the flamboyant and the reserved confidence of the multitudes that serve out of the spotlight.