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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I was going to a different unit. While doing my S1 check out, I over hear them talking about giving this certain soldier and AAM because he was PCSing. I knew the soldier, and he did nothing special, just his job. I spoke up and said, "What, giving an AAM just because he's leaving?" The S1 NCOs reply was, yea, and they are giving you one as well. I asked him what for, I did nothing to deserve an AAM. So when my last day came I was given a coffee mug with the unit crest on it and a Certificate of Appreciation for my work. THIS FIT THE BILL. I was proud of the coffee mug!
While in Iraq I was asked for input on awards. My list was very, very short. I was not consulted further and come to find out so many awards were given for doing their jobs. I even seen a LTC receive a BSM and he was relieved twice from positions because he couldn't do the job.
When I was 1SG and our unit came back from a Corps Exercise, I made sure everyone received at least a Certificate of Appreciation, and I took the time to write each one individually. Sure my unit was only a detachment size. If there were others who deserved more, then they got it. Yes people like to be recognized for what they do and there are awards for each level, from a Cert of App, Coin, all the way to medals. But I've seen too many awards given for ?
While in Iraq I was asked for input on awards. My list was very, very short. I was not consulted further and come to find out so many awards were given for doing their jobs. I even seen a LTC receive a BSM and he was relieved twice from positions because he couldn't do the job.
When I was 1SG and our unit came back from a Corps Exercise, I made sure everyone received at least a Certificate of Appreciation, and I took the time to write each one individually. Sure my unit was only a detachment size. If there were others who deserved more, then they got it. Yes people like to be recognized for what they do and there are awards for each level, from a Cert of App, Coin, all the way to medals. But I've seen too many awards given for ?
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The wearing of Berets, has been abused by the military when they accepted social engineering by the government. President John Kennedy awarded the Green Beret to Special Forces. Recognizing they were indeed Special. Maroon Berets for Airborne, remains to this day world wide. Black for Rangers started in WW II. When the Army decided to give Black Berets Army Wide, was an insult to Rangers, past and present. ( this writer is a Ranger from the 60's ; at the time I was a member of Marine Force Recon ) When the Black Beret was taken from the Rangers, it was an insult. To compound this insult, the Army decided to issue Tan Berets, the Beret of British SAS, which to me was an insult to SAS. Rangers and SAS have two very different skill sets. End of history lesson. I can only hope that our Brothers on the other side of the Pond, can understand.
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Over compensation for what risking your life. You go where the military sends you. If you are an 11b or 75l. Does not matter.
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You forgot the Basic Training Patch along with their "patching ceremony". I heard a rumour that every graduate of Basic will be getting an AAM also.
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The pic above must be Rambo "the PX Ranger" special airborne forces recon the decon badass, LOL.
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I agree on the Black Beret issue, that was a total farce. As for patches and badges those you mentioned are not new only revived. The MP patch and Sapper patch only have changed to new designs or/as the Sapper was an acknowledgement of excellence for Combat Engineers. The MP patch is only a change from the Broussard’s worn by MP’s years ago.
As for the Combat Action Badge it was designed since all of the War on Terror incidents. Many units besides Infantry have been used for various Combat type missions. Combat Engineers, MP’s, Tryck Drivers etc have been used for Convoy missions, cordon and search mission not assigned to Combat units. I had many Combat Support as well as Combat Service Support units whose missions were utilized to on Combat type missions. As such the Combat Action Badge was designed to recognize their actions in combative actions with the enemy. As their CSM and seeing the injuries some suffered from those actions, I don’t see the CAB as a “special award” but more over doing a job not normally assigned to units such as theirs. These Soldiers have exhibited duties above and beyond their specific MOS’s. Bottom line when the shit hits the fan any and all Soldiers become Infantry Soldiers in their duties.
If others in Combat MOS’s feel slighted well that’s their issue, as Soldiers we are called upon to do what ever job as assigned!!
As for the Combat Action Badge it was designed since all of the War on Terror incidents. Many units besides Infantry have been used for various Combat type missions. Combat Engineers, MP’s, Tryck Drivers etc have been used for Convoy missions, cordon and search mission not assigned to Combat units. I had many Combat Support as well as Combat Service Support units whose missions were utilized to on Combat type missions. As such the Combat Action Badge was designed to recognize their actions in combative actions with the enemy. As their CSM and seeing the injuries some suffered from those actions, I don’t see the CAB as a “special award” but more over doing a job not normally assigned to units such as theirs. These Soldiers have exhibited duties above and beyond their specific MOS’s. Bottom line when the shit hits the fan any and all Soldiers become Infantry Soldiers in their duties.
If others in Combat MOS’s feel slighted well that’s their issue, as Soldiers we are called upon to do what ever job as assigned!!
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Every body wants to be or look like an 11B Paratrooper, but without the experience or training, give the school awards. No combat please
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Is not the same thing!!!! to be sure we need to investigate!!!
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No is alway's the same thing!!!to be sure we need to investigate!!!!
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