If WW3 starts with current global tensions, could we add a bronze star to our NDSM?

2LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 14:37:32 -0400

Just curious

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2025 2:50 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 14:50:18 -0400

If it would be an approved time period, then yes.

Response by LTC Stephen Conway made Jun 19 at 2025 3:27 PM

LTC Stephen Conway — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 15:27:43 -0400

For the last Decade Stupid AOC, Leftist Democrats like President Biden and Greta Thunberg said that the Climate Emergency was the biggest existential threat. I wrote this a year ago.

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/should-potus-biden-ask-congress-to-take-360-billion-from-climate-change-and-reallocate-it-to-emergency-ordnance-resupply?cid=whyAmRe42732He

Should POTUS Biden ask Congress to take $360 Billion from climate change and reallocate it to...

President Biden told our adversaries on 7-9-2023 that we are low on Artillery ammunition. I bet if President Trump did this in a TV interview, we would have an impeachment proceeding. +++++Update 1-10-2024 The Recent Houthis attack on shipping has caused the US Navy to spend $17 million in shooting down 24 drones in one day. The US Destroyers and US Navy aircraft has expended about $80 million just in the last 2 months. The Stupid Biden...

Response by SGT Ruben Lozada made Jun 19 at 2025 4:00 PM

SGT Ruben Lozada — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 16:00:56 -0400

Good afternoon 2LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member. Excellent post. Thank you for sharing this Sir. If it's approved, then yes. :->

Response by LTC Trent Klug made Jun 19 at 2025 4:46 PM

LTC Trent Klug — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 16:46:11 -0400

Only if it's authorized by higher authority.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Jun 19 at 2025 6:24 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 18:24:43 -0400

No thanks, already have a star and dont want another.

Response by 1SG(P) Dean Mcbride (MPER) (SPHR) made Jun 19 at 2025 11:50 PM

1SG(P) Dean Mcbride (MPER) (SPHR) — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 23:50:04 -0400

In a nutshell, the answer is "NO". Read below to see why it is a no...

The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service during the current War on Terrorism.

Authorization to award the NDSM to members of the U.S. Armed Forces serving on active duty on or after 11 September, 2001, was terminated. The United States is no longer conducting combat operations of comparable scale for which the NDSM has been historically authorized.

The Army, Air Force, and Space Force use oak leaf clusters (bronze or silver) to denote additional awards. A bronze cluster signifies one additional award, while a silver cluster is worn in lieu of five bronze ones. Based on that criteria, had someone served from Korea through the War on Terrorism, (highly unlikely!) they would have four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters on their NDSM... In an impossible world where a soldier served in all four periods and WW3, the four Bronze clusters would be replaced by one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster. By the way, the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard use Bronze and Silver Stars to depict multiple awards.

I knew a few guys that served in Korea and Vietnam. Don't recall ever seeing an Oak Leaf Cluster on the NDSM ribbon they wore.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2025 1:46 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 13:46:35 -0400

2LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member If WWIII started, there would not be anyone issuing medals. Limited conflicts are what we can hope for.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 21 at 2025 5:43 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Sat, 21 Jun 2025 17:43:28 -0400

My SEL would insist I wear my fruit salad correctly with two bronze stars on the Gedunk Ribbon. Reasoning? She would say the crew should have the opportunity to see a living fossil. Another moment of shared laughter with one of the best.

Response by SGT Lorenzo Nieto made Jun 22 at 2025 6:51 AM

SGT Lorenzo Nieto — Sun, 22 Jun 2025 06:51:49 -0400

Better grab a first aid kit a big one to cover our buttocks

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jun 22 at 2025 8:52 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Sun, 22 Jun 2025 08:52:45 -0400

I think if WWIII starts and we get involved, getting a bronze star on your NDSM will be the least of your worries.

Response by 1SG(P) Dean Mcbride (MPER) (SPHR) made Jun 23 at 2025 11:44 AM

1SG(P) Dean Mcbride (MPER) (SPHR) — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 11:44:54 -0400

2LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member LTC Trent Klug SPC James Neidig LTC Stephen Conway MSG Private RallyPoint Member MSG Thomas Currie SGT Ruben Lozada MAJ Byron Oyler SGT Lorenzo Nieto Sgt Private RallyPoint Member SGM Mikel Dawson SSgt Christophe Murphy CAPT Kevin B. MIA CULPA! I was overly hasty in my replies to the question of Stars VS Oak Leaf Clusters on the National Defense Service Ribbon. I was looking at an old Army Regulation, but when I went to the most recent version of AR 600-8-22, I found that the Star is the correct appurtenance for subsequent awards of the medal. Nobody is perfect and the word doesn't even come close to describing me... I apologize for my blunder and vow to be more diligent in my future responses to "any" questions...

Response by LCpl Kenneth Heath made Jun 23 at 2025 9:43 PM

LCpl Kenneth Heath — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 21:43:05 -0400

ROFLMAO! That is the POGiest question I've ever read! :p

Response by SGT Lorenzo Nieto made Jun 26 at 2025 6:54 AM

SGT Lorenzo Nieto — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 06:54:19 -0400

To be frank with you no reason for any type of medal we would be to busy killing each other and no one would have time to make them sucks to be us.

Response by SGT Mark Hasch made Jun 27 at 2025 10:22 AM

SGT Mark Hasch — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 10:22:09 -0400

With all do respect 2LT, is isn't it in the AR? Just asking, I've been out for awhile.