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 current black beret is part of the feel good, Dr. Spock BS. Trophies for showing up, berets as ribbons for finishing basic training.
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Is the staff sergeant in the photo accompanying this post a real soldier or a fraud? Does the army allow that much stuff on the uniform?
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CPT (Join to see)
It's from a parody video called stolen and I know it. It's making fun of those people who do Stolen Valor.
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Medals and ribbons were not what made you a good member of the United States military! What made you special was the fact that you actually enlisted and did what you felt was your duty without question! I did receive two metals three ribbons while I was in the Navy I am now qualify to have received an additional 17 metals and 17 ribbons but they are not what I and why was in the Navy those two metals and three ribbons areare all that matters to me.
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Sort of like replaceing the ribbons on dress uniforms with a "participant" ribbon. Everybody gets one?...lol
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SFC Jeff Stevenson
Fully agree with Mark. Anything worth doing, isn't for the ribbons. And "Special" sometimes isn't what you're looking for.
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Isn't that what the Army Service Ribbon, National Defense, and GWOT Service Medal. You could just go to basic training and walk out with medals just for showing up.
COL Roger Lintz I loved that part. That is what it is like some times.
COL Roger Lintz I loved that part. That is what it is like some times.
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COL Roger Lintz
It's called the Thanks for Coming Ribbon. When I was in IOBC (back when it was still called that and we still had the I-Bar in the bottom of the O-Club) we were told we had to wear our marksmanship badges on our blues for the dining in. We protested but of course nobody cared what we thought we were told to shut up and put em on. I'd already earned pistol rifle, machine gun, grenade, and M203 identifiers (those thingy's that hang down from the medal) and just to be an ass I put missile on there as well. (Nope I wasn't authorized to wear it but I did it anyway and I'm retired now so there) Well of course the reason they wanted us all prettied up was to impress some General in the receiving line. Anyway, I go thru the line with all my thingy's swinging and all the other obligatory ribbons and badges that go along with being an Infantry officer and when I get in front of this General, who I forgot 30 seconds after I shook his hand, looks down at all my thingy's and say's, "Missle", and I said without missing a beat, "Oh yes sir, I can hit anything with a Pershing." He looked at me like I'd punched him in the throat and I did a right face and went to the bar. I haven't worn my marksmanship medals since. My EIB say's I shot expert at least once in my life.
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The only thing I would say in regards to the original post about the "MP" and "CBRN" patch is for the "MP" patch I would refer to DA PAM 670-1 21-30. When I was still active it came down from Office of Provost Marshal General that MPs would wear their brassards. It also gave Commanders to set local policy as well. I know when stationed at Ft. Polk we could only wear them while performing Military Police duties such as gate guard, patrol, desk, or bailiff. However at my last unit it was mandated that we would wear them at all times while in uniform.
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CPT (Join to see)
I ran into this a while back. I knew of the MP bassard in the past. I only seen it worn when they were on duty. This would mirror regular law enforcement while on duty. But when I seen a MP with this MP patch on with no weapon I asked them if they were on duty. Pretty much they were just wearing to show everyone they were an MP. I understand that but I would then question when they are not on duty can they act in the same manner while they are on duty? Just like you would only wear the IR flag while deployed or Cat Eyes on your PC when on patrol.
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SFC (Join to see)
It depends on local policy. We wore ours in my last assignment because we were considered in the performance of our duties. I was the Emergency Management, Antiterrorism, Physical Security NCOIC. So I was consistently performing duties related to my MOS. Although I do know that some units have their soldiers wear those so that in the event of an incident (mascal, active shooter or the like) the public would be able to see an authority figure.
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