Is the awarding of the Meritorious Service Medal being watered down due to lack of standardization across the services?

That is what makes the Corps,nothing is given away, it must be earned. I would only be concerned if the Marines lowered their standards. Screw the rest of them

I thought awards were supposed to be about actions done to complete missions and your overall contribution to the mission. The whole award by rank standard is garbage. Just because you’re a SFC etc doesn’t mean you HAD more of an impact. It’s up to that commander to judge who gets what ultimately, but a lot of the time contribution and actual work gets overshadowed by tis and rank.

When I was in the AF, we called it the Master Sergeant Medal. It was awarded to those who typically had much more leadership responsibility and having a greater impact. I was given three in my last few years of service at short stints before I retired. Prior to that when at a lower rank and still having an impact, I received Accomadations.

Possibly Gunny, those who have NOT been awarded this medal, resent those who have.... Semper fi..

I received my MSM as a SSG for 5 years in a unit while there I did 6 months Sinai rotation the war in Panama as a Plt Sgt. 2 cohort rotations ,honor grad bncoc, ranger school ,jump school,95% or higher on every sqt test 5 arcoms 12 send they awarded it to me when I pcs with 9 years in by I was the only SSG I knew with it

Gunny, each service handles its own and each unit determines the award. During my time, it was normal if PCSing form OCONUS that if you wee an E6 and above and keep your nose clean, you were GIVEN an MSM. I never served a tour OCONUS other than deployments, Rangers awarded a ARCOM, after almost 15 years the 82nd Awarded an MSM and upon my retirement, XVIII G1 downgraded a Legion of Merit to my 2nd MSM. It's the typical unit/PAC BS drill. We just drive on, and suck it up. Thanks for your service, comparing awards is often like pecker checks.

We had a CPT with less than a year at the duty station get an MSM for a PCS. The bullets on the award were from something myself and the CPT prior put together that we got ARCOMs for. Yes, I pick yes!

GySgt John O'Donnell I know we all have our own opinions, but having served 33 years in the Army, and dealt with awards as Soldier and Commander, with experience on a large JTF in combat, and with many other combat and operational tours... I can tell you all 4 branches are very different.

1. It seems to me, in terms of awards, the USAF is most liberal, then the Army, then the Navy, then the Marines.
2. I got my 1st MSM as an newly promoted Captain, after I took command of a failing facility (ahead of many other Captains); I guess I helped right the ship. That was an anomaly in the Army at the time.
3. As a Captain at Fort Drum, I saw folks get MSMs for going on an exercise (REFORGER).... At Fort Drum, we gave out awards like candy. Other places, not so much.
4. As another example, I can still remember an issue, during Operation Allied Force (Kosovo Bombing) when I was forward deployed during security for a MAGTF, and the USAF was giving BSMs to USAF personal controlling and working in Italy, but who never left their bases.... I get the pilots and the air crews... But the dudes in the ATOC or staying at Aviano?
5. During OEF, we had a near impossible task, if we tried to award the BSM or even the DMSM to a Sailor or Marine in our JTF. We recommended a Marine O-6 for a BSM, who commanded the FOB at Camp Bucca, and Navy Captain too, and neither would be approved. Not an issue with USAF or Army.
From my experiences, this is an issue that has always been with us. I could cite many examples.... But, I think my batting order is close.

I have seen junior NCOs outperform senior NCOs and they have been very deserving of the award. I don't believe that one should have to go to hell and back for an MSM. I my opinion if you meet the standards in the regulation then that should be more than sufficient. The award is not exclusive to a certain rank or position.

Unfortunately, the only requirement for an MSM is the following: "a. The MSM was established by EO 11448, 16 January 1969 as amended by EO 12312, 2 July 1981, as amended by EO 13286, 28 March 2003. It is awarded to any Servicemember of the Armed Forces of the United States or to any
member of the armed forces of a friendly foreign nation who has distinguished himself or herself by outstanding meritorious achievement or service."

Some units, typically BDE and higher, have SOP's which outline additional requirements. For instance, to get an MSM in one of my previous units, you had to show significant contributions outside your higher organizations. Example: Soldier who belongs to A. Company had to show they had a significant impact on another unit or group of units within the Division, but outside their Brigade.

I've seen other units give MSM's to Soldiers who won BDE or DIV level Soldier of the Month Boards.