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

I've long ago stopped wondering how or why certain branches or even units within the same branch determine awards. The Eagle, Globe and Anchor is the award Marines should cherish the most. Everything else is just gravy. It doesn't matter whats on your sleeve or chest, its whats in your heart.

Gunny GySgt John O'Donnell "considering in the Marine Corps there is a very high standard required to receive the award"

I KNOW you know this, but as consideration for other readers...Lets keep in mind the "Marine Corps" does not recommend nor approve an MSM, individuals with personal beliefs standards and values do. And as such, yes, some Marines receive an MSM for service I would consider not worthy of the award..I also met some Marines that DID NOT receive the MSM and I felt they should have,,,, but alas, the individual commander a human with human thoughts, individual beliefs and standards felt otherwise.
I also agree awarding the MSM to a relatively young, and only moderately experienced NCO is likely inappropriate though I would have to review the background of that SM and the 638 before being willing to make that call.

As I'm sure you realize there are set criteria to be awarded the MSM and it did have to be approved by some Command 0-6 or above. Heck I know of Units that were deployed to Iraq and most Officers received a Bronze Star including those that spent most of their time in an AC TOC with very few if any enlisted being awarded this Medal! Guess it depend on the Command.

Hello there!!! As a 42A, i have processed literally thousands of awards, both deployed and in garrison. What grinds my gears to no end is the fact that more times than not, a Sr. NCO or officer would recieve an MSM/BSM just because of their grade or position. On the other hand, you have these high speed Soldiers working their behinds off, but because of their RANK, they are usually awarded AAMs and ARCOMS, when they clearly deserved a much higher award. Case in point, during my 2nd deployment, there was actual guidance put out saying what each rank would recieve; this clearly was in direct contradiction to regulatory guidance. This irked me down to my soul....but did anyone in leadership positions advice otherwise......i'll just leave this right here.

Did you ask them why they received their MSMs? What else was on their uniforms? In your picture, it looks like you have an MSM. What did you do to get your MSM?

Sure, it is possible that some higher-up gave it to them as a prize for serving on his or her staff, but why assume it was awarded to someone who didn't deserve it?

Here is the criteria for it: "On or after September 11, 2001, for outstanding non-combat meritorious achievement or service in a non-combat or combat area."

As you know, the fight has changed and people find themselves in situations that they otherwise normally wouldn't. It is entirely possible that these people performed their duties exceptionally and were awarded for it. My ribbon rack would be confusing to people because my highest award is an ARCOM I got as an E-4 while doing LLVI with 10th Mountain in Afghanistan during Operations Mountain Lion and Mountain Thrust in 2006. Did I join the Navy to ruck in the mountains of Southern Afghanistan with Army infantry? No. Did it happen? Yes.
In my career field (Cryptology) it was not uncommon to see sailors walking around with higher awards (and from different services) than you would normally see because of the opportunities that job provides. The same could apply to this situation.

On the flip-side, I have seen some people get rewards for ridiculous things as well.

https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2008-title32-vol3/xml/CFR-2008-title32-vol3-sec578-18.xml

If you know nothing about their service, other than their Time in Service, you are making assumptions. No medal should be based upon Time in Service. If that’s the case, it becomes a participation trophy.

As a personnel officer who see a myriad of MSMs, the standards have been "watered" down. For other branches, depending on the level you work for and your rank, an MSM may be warranted. For soldiers, I have seen some BS write ups or fluffed up citations to make it seem as though troops have walked on water when they really showed up for work and left on time. I agree that this award should be for those who go above and beyond, show marked zeal and intelligence. But it is true that the " everyone's a winner" mentality has ushered its way into the awards process. And it sucks to have to process that garbage.

So what you are saying is that no matter what an E-5 or E-6 does, he or she could never earn that award? That is BS, if someone has earned a award, no matter what rank he or she is, then they should receive it. I will not say that the AF SSgt or Army SSG should not have received it, because I did not serve with them. I do believe to base what award someone gets purely on rank/TIS is complete BS.

Well going IA to Afghanistan with a PRT. I saw the Army E-3 to E-5 getting the Army Commendation medals as an EOT (end of tour) awards, the E-6 and above were given Bronze Stars. Being an E-6 in the Navy I was giving the same Army commendation medal as were the Chiefs, Sr. Chiefs and Officers. They were going to give My Department Head, A Full Commander, the same but I do believe her's was changed to MSM. I know that in the Navy it was very RARE to see an E-6 and below with a Navy Commendation Medal. Crap it was hard enough to get a NAM. But that is why the Navy and Marine Corps Team leads the way. Hell even after 20 years of Honorable service at my retirement I only received a Navy Achievement Medal.

I recieved my first MSM after 3 yrs of being a Drill Sgt. During that time I was Drill Sgt. of the qtr.3 times,earned my EIB,and graduate some of the finest soldiers in the army between 78 and 81.
It doesn't matter if I think I deserved it or not,but an 05..06..and 08 did...