How are recruits receiving the NDSM without being assigned overseas?

Marines call it the "Firewatch Ribbon", but what it DOES actually signify is that you had the balls to either join, or serve, during a time when it could very well get you killed.

The same as giving everyone a trophy.. Most medals mean nothing anymore. For the few I was awarded (GIVEN) I respectfully told them to put the paper in the head for toilet paper because that's what they're good for, wiping my a**!

It's your Governments Participation medal...

Those things are issued in Basic Training in time of Conflict. Oddly enough, we weren't issued them and Vietnam was pretty much in full swing in '65. Got it when I got the rest of my stuff from the Deployment to Nam. We called it the Geedunk medal.

We called it the geedunk medal since everyone got one coming out of boot anp

How else could a slick sleeve Airman have 2 ribbons before reporting to their first duty station.
NDM is okay, but one for graduating from basic training, but that is another discussion.

I encourage all new Soldiers, Sailors, Airman, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen to read their respective regulations; especially those pertaining to your job, uniform and appearance, weapons, and awards and decorations. you should probably familiarize yourself with the regs of shops you work with often. Sound like a lot of reading? It is... professionals know their jobs, and the relevant parts of the jobs they interact with. This may seem boring, but knowledge is power and knowledgeable leaders are the best leaders.

People who complete basic training successfully are authorized to wear the medal. Deployment is not necessary. At the end of basic, each person is infantry until they enter into advanced training.

I call it the Catsup and Mustard award, it's a participation medal.

They are being awarded the medal because they meet the requirements for the medal. There is no requirement for deploying to receive it, only service during conflict as authorized.