How are recruits receiving the NDSM without being assigned overseas?

Reservists or Guardsman have all said, "Hey, I'll go overseas if needed" by enlisting or commissioning during time of conflict or war. It's a badge of honor for those who have volunteered during tomultuous times; Guard/Reserve or Active.

Well as far as I can tell it's a good way to spot posers. They like to go for the more believable awards: 2 star CIB, Silver Star, Service Crosses, but they wouldn't dare add the highly coveted and difficult to obtain NDSM to their Hallowen costume. That'd just be crazy!

Typically you'll have campaign or otherwise specific overseas service medals, or more likely expeditionary service medals which serve to indicate actually being somewhere doing things.

This is one of those posts that could have been better answered if the Service Member would just read the Regs

Who said you have to go overseas to get that???

I'm waiting for the i deployed to Kuwait combat patch. Wait that's a deployment right?

My question is why does it even bother you, it's a firewatch medal, now if it was a medal that mattered it would be something to worry about but this is like this generations participation trophies "we know you did nothing and never left the states but here's your medal we don't want you to feel bad and left out, you at least participated"

In the Corps I was known at the Fire Watch ribbon. Because everybody on AD got it, just for breathing on AD. Since everybody did Fire Watch it sounds better than the, I have a pulse and breathing award.

Why this was put under GWOT... PFC why not ask one of your Specialists or Sgt's?

We called it the "pizza stain." In the USMC, getting a medal right out of boot camp rendered it meaningless.

I don't know why they just don't go ahead and award the NDSM for Cold War service and be done with it. Those of us who have served since and those who also served in Vietnam just get another little star and those who only served during that period get the medal. No need to design and issue another medal so they can keep costs down and people get the recognition they deserve.