How are recruits receiving the NDSM without being assigned overseas?

Remind me again why this is even a question? I've been out for a while but there is nothing in the description of this medal that says anything about having served overseas. Only that you had the nerve, the self discipline, and the balls to serve your country while 98% of your friends didn't.

We used to call them things KP ribbons. Got em in basic, bout the third week in.

In the Navy, we calked this the "gedunk medal"

Gunny Stephen Anderson is right on the money. When I graduated in 50 years ago, everyone of us had our NDSM ribbon and shooting badge centered on our summer uniforms. Funny how medals and ribbons are given out. After boot camp I went to Infantry Training (ITR) but I was in a special situation. My training company was made up of Marines who were going to an "A" school and we only had 2 weeks of training. My group was the first to arrive at Camp Geiger so they put us to work at other units while we waited for more men join us. I was farmed out to the 2nd Service Battalion where I picked up paper and swept floors for 2 weeks and then was sent back to my training unit. It was noted in my service record. A couple of years later I received the Meritorious Unit Citation. Seems that the 2nd Service Battalion had been cited for their support efforts of some units in Vietnam. Since I served with them during the awarded time, I got one also. 10 weeks in the Marines and already 2 ribbons on my chest! LOL

These recruits, after completing their recruit training, (Basic of Boot Camp,) are veterans of the Nation's Defense Force, whether actually serving overseas or not. Same thing as when I was in Boot Camp back in'63. Once finished, we were advised we had earned that one medal, and it was on our records. (Now have one for the original, with bronze device for the new issuance.) Not too sure of the actual length of service required, bt believe it is just past basic. At one time, there was talk of it being after six months active duty.

Yes. The "Road Guard" ribbon.

Ya this pissed me off. I had two deployments during the gulf war where I spent 18 months in hostile territory and a friend was warm and dry on his ship in the yard in Washington and he got one also. What a joke.

To understand why and given ribbon or medal is awarded, you need to look up the requirements for it. Here's a link for the National Defense Service Medal:

https://www.thebalance.com/national-defense-service-medal-3344971

This medal is awarded to ANY Servicemember who has served in ANY Active Duty condition during specified dates for a given event. The current event is the War on Terrorism, and the date for this particular medal started 9/11/2001 to a closing date has not yet been announced.

Not every medal requires service during deployments, combat, specific operations, etc. There are other ribbons/medals for service under those conditions.

Fireguard ribbons. Right after basic training in 1974.

The National Defense Service Medal is authorized for the following wars and time periods:[2]
War From To
Korean War June 27, 1950 July 27, 1954
Vietnam War January 1, 1961 August 14, 1974
Persian Gulf War August 2, 1990 November 30, 1995
Global War on Terrorism September 11, 2001 Present day
The National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) is awarded to anyone who serves on active duty in the United States military during the above time periods.[3] Reserve Component service during the Korean and Vietnam periods, other than those Reserve Component personnel in a full-time status or on active duty greater than 89 days, did not qualify for award of the NDSM.