Posted on Jan 1, 2015
Inclusion in the military. You're special, just like everyone else.
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the real military
I can't help but to feel that we tend to over compensate in some areas. Inclustion in the military is one of them that I feel that we overreach. Everyone should feel like a member of the team and should feel that they are valuable. But there is a point where you try to make everyone feel special. If everyone is special then we are all the same and you redefined what really is special. Changing norms will not have the desired effect you may intend in the long run.
First, it was the black beret. I understand that others wore it before the Rangers did. But the only ones who were wearing it was the Rangers at the time. Below is an official statement.
"In the United States Army, the beret has become a symbol of excellence of our specialty units. Soldiers of the Special Forces, our airborne units, and the Ranger Regiment have long demonstrated such excellence through their legendary accomplishments and unmatched capabilities. Their deployability, versatility, and agility are due, in part, to their organizational structure and equipment."
They got it right that they beret was a symbol of excellence. But if everyone in the Army is excellent wouldn't that just be average. Excellence reserved for those that strive beyond that that is average. But everyone got it and were so proud of it all.
Next came the awards. Now we have awards such as the Combat Action Badge, Sapper Tab, Jungle Expert Tab, and the Army Instructor Badge. I understand the intent behind them. But I can't recall a time when so many new badges came out in one shot. At first Special Forces didn't even have a tab and the President himself was the one that authorized the wear of the Green Beret.
In addition we have more patches that came out. We now have the "MP" and "CBRN" patch. I thought you were to only wear them when on duty that is not the case now. I am sure there are some more.
Are we developing a culture where we award you for doing your job? Should you get an award for what is expected of you? Do you deserve a special uniform accessory for just being in the Army and if so is it special anymore if everyone has it?
It always reminds me of this movie. It is a comedy. This clips explains it pretty well.
First, it was the black beret. I understand that others wore it before the Rangers did. But the only ones who were wearing it was the Rangers at the time. Below is an official statement.
"In the United States Army, the beret has become a symbol of excellence of our specialty units. Soldiers of the Special Forces, our airborne units, and the Ranger Regiment have long demonstrated such excellence through their legendary accomplishments and unmatched capabilities. Their deployability, versatility, and agility are due, in part, to their organizational structure and equipment."
They got it right that they beret was a symbol of excellence. But if everyone in the Army is excellent wouldn't that just be average. Excellence reserved for those that strive beyond that that is average. But everyone got it and were so proud of it all.
Next came the awards. Now we have awards such as the Combat Action Badge, Sapper Tab, Jungle Expert Tab, and the Army Instructor Badge. I understand the intent behind them. But I can't recall a time when so many new badges came out in one shot. At first Special Forces didn't even have a tab and the President himself was the one that authorized the wear of the Green Beret.
In addition we have more patches that came out. We now have the "MP" and "CBRN" patch. I thought you were to only wear them when on duty that is not the case now. I am sure there are some more.
Are we developing a culture where we award you for doing your job? Should you get an award for what is expected of you? Do you deserve a special uniform accessory for just being in the Army and if so is it special anymore if everyone has it?
It always reminds me of this movie. It is a comedy. This clips explains it pretty well.
Awards
Badges
Beret
Edited 11 y ago
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 47
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The crazy thing is the difference between services in awards given. I deployed with CENTCOM under US Airforce command, and we got JSAMs. All the officers attached to Army units were getting Bronze Stars, for doing the same work as us. We were even told point blank by CENTCOM that no impact awards would be given for anything outside of valor - meanwhile the Army units were handing out AAMs like candy and field promoting people. There's also a big difference between officers and enlisted - officers get pay, enlisted get candy. I know many enlisted who stopped even accepting achievement medals towards the end of their career and had lost count of how many they actually have. I was 5 years in before getting my first AAM and I think that after 5 years I was rocking 5 ribbons total - 3 of which were the freebies.
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You want to be special? Go Earn your Green or Tan Beret, everything else just doesn't measure up.
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I guess the picture of the SSGT is old as its dress greens. But someone should have looked into the personnel file of that SSGT. NO WAY He has earned all that spaghetti!
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CPT (Join to see)
http://rangerup.com presents our homage to Stolen Valor. Inspired by LMFAO's Sexy and I know It. Performed by Big Ol Band.
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As a Marine, the only thing that I ever wanted to put on my uniform was the Eagle, Globe and Anchor. If your uniform accoutrements were more exclusive instead of inclusive, I bet there would be a lot more pride displayed by the individual. And just as a complete aside, as a young PFC in 1983, I earned my Jungle Expert certificate in Panama. Had a blast.
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I agree 100 percent. In the Navy, for the longest time, submariners and seals were the only ones with a warfare device. Then, we were the only ones required to get the devices as they came out with more warfare devices. Now everyone has to get one and it takes away from the specialty of having it.
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My dad was a lifer 1936-1966. During WWII he served with Detachment 101, OSS in the CBI Theatre. He retired before the proliferation of awards. After I had been in 21 years he saw my ribbon rack and was like; hey son, your uniform looks like a Chinese Warloard. I told him about all the new awards that were established after his retirement. Of course in his CSM language, “horeshit!!! all I ever cared about was my CIB, SS and Jump Wings which says enough.” He was authorized 3 stars for his Jump Wings for three insertions inside China 2 DA and one SR, but never attached the stars. The photo shows my dad with his team ‘Antelope’ back row far left. The two Direct Action missions were to blow bridges plus railroad tracks and the Strategic Recon to pinpoint the Japanese Army located somewhere in China. While on the mission he received a message that the war was over and to report back to OSS Hq in India. When he was in his 70’s I sent his OSS paperwork to Bragg and they sent back an order awarding him the Special Forces Tab. When I gave him the orders with the tab attached he started crying. You have to remember that my dad was one bad ass CSM. Soldiers feared him from Majors’ on down. Once while stationed in Munich, Germany as the BDE CSM we went to a BDE picnic. I was sitting at a picnic table with 5 other Enlistedmen and they all had stories about that SOB CSM. All had a worse story than the last but then they noticed that I wasn’t joining in so I was asked which company I was in (I was 17 with short hair) I responded that I was a dependent and the SOB CSM you guys were bad mouthing is my dad. All 5 jumped up covering their name plates and ran away; when I told dad he just laughed so hard there were tears in his eyes. So like my dad, all I care about is my CIB, Special Forces Tab, BS/V and my JM Wings.
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I think of it maybe a little different...if I can get get one of my Soldiers an award, it shows my appreciation. Showing your Soldiers a little appreciation goes a long way...they will be way more willing to do everything hey can for you when they know you are doing what you can for them. I mean, I’m not giving them one for doing nothing...but it costs us nothing but a little time to do a write up. Does it really hurt anything to get your guys an AAM or ARCOM? The return you get from the Soldier is more than worth it. I don’t understand why so many people have issues with others getting an award...jealousy? Ok...the dude getting one for raising his PT score to a passing score...no...not in that case. But in general, take care of your Soldiers and they will take care of you. That means going above and beyond to get the job done, and done to a higher standard. If writing a few awards makes your Soldier feel better and work harder/better...why would you not?
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Yep we are giving away participation trophy
I earned the right to wear a black Berea in the early, 1970s, it designated you were the tip of the spear, not the shaft,
Not knocking other mos's but there's a reason they were nicknamed REMF
I earned the right to wear a black Berea in the early, 1970s, it designated you were the tip of the spear, not the shaft,
Not knocking other mos's but there's a reason they were nicknamed REMF
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i have commented on other threads regarding the Army uniform. Me being a Marine, which has the least amount of ribbons and badges among all the branches, i believe all the branches have to much goin on. i think with all the medals, ribbons and badges on the Army uniform distracts from what it means to see a Soldier in his uniform. there is so much goin on that you cant help but to want to ask what each ribbon and meadal is and what did you do to get that one. The uniform should reflect how you are "an Army of one" or "Army Strong", lbut with so much emphasis placed on your personal achievements it blinds a person from notiing the Army to just seeing the individual.
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