How are recruits receiving the NDSM without being assigned overseas?

This most recent conflict was because of an attack on our turf. Then again, I don't really have a dog in this race since I was actually in when we got hit.

Personally, I say rename the medal! How can you receive a National Defense Service Medal if you're fresh out of boot camp and haven't "defended" the nation? Just call it the Military Service Ribbon.

Does this mean contracted cadets have earned it as well? I see people all the time wearing it on their commissioning day.

I never got one and served during the gulf war. Must be something I missed or I guess at this point don't think it's worth dwelling on

Only a PFC straight out of boot camp would ask this question

in 1970 we referred to it as the "battle of boot camp medal"

Remember leaving SIT with a "thanks for joining the Army Ribbon" and a National Defense Ribbon

Gunny, firewatch ribbon it is. We got ours, little did we know that Nam and cambosia would act up again.

READ AR600-8-22 Par 2-10 tells the date which people who are authorized to wear it.
SSG MARK FRANZEN
US ARMY VET

My blue cord is the award I am most proud of. It is something that so many men have earned before me and so many men and now women will earn after me. For me it shows that I belong to a long line of brotherhood. Something that is much greater then myself or any one man! I take great pride in saying I am an infantryman. I am proud to say that I went to the war in Afghanistan and I closed with and killed the enemies of the Untied States and her ppl. True blue and how we make the green grass grow and why the sky is blue. Because God loves the infantry. And the green grass grows by being water from the blood of our nations enemies!