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

Usually in USA, MSM or ARCOM awarded at PCS, MSM is rare but dependent on responsibilities and performance, not time in service

I left active duty in 1992, but worked as a DA civilian from 1996-2013 in Korea. The first ARCOM I ever saw awarded was in 1962 to a notably outstanding 1LT. That was the only ARCOM award I knew of during the 3+ years I served in that infantry battalion. By the time I retired, just about every soldier received an award upon completion of his assignment to his or her unit and AAMs and ARCOMs were commonly awarded to some folks after completing an major event or exercise. That was still going on when I left Korea in 2013 and I suspect it still is today. In my experience, the Marines have the strictest awards policy, followed by the Navy, the Air Force and the Army where end of tour awards (AAM, ARCOM, MSM) are the rule rather than the exception.

I recieved a AF MSM when I was an E-5 Staff Sergeant with 13 years in service. It took my Majors recomedation plus a 1 star indorsement. The General was Chuck Horner prior to Desert Storm while he was the Commander of the Air Defence Weapons Center at Tyndal AFB. The Major, my supervisor had to rewrite the recomendation twice to get Headquarters TAC to approve the award. I earned it. Do not pass judgement without knowing the details of the award and what the achievement was. Back in the 80's Staff Sergeants normally did not get a MSM's, was even difficult for E-6 Technical Sergeants to get one. Award is given for achievement not rank.

GySgt O'Donnell, A very interesting thought provoking set of words you have asked. As a receiver of military awards and a recommender for certain awards I believe in the orders of the officers appointed over me, no need to cite verbatim the Oath we all have taken, now when I let my feelings convolute whether a fellow shipmate deserves/merits an award lesser or greater than me it destroys the very fabric of our flag and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, "It's above my paygrade" still has merit, the front line is to do... not to ask... I will carry a message to Garcia and not be jealous with how come I didn't get one, why Johnny? Me too? Quite a bit of interesting reading, you have definitely stirred the pot, Thanks.

The helo pilots lined up on the flight deck of the USS New Orleans so that they could take turns flying over the beach. Every pilot that went "feet dry" received the Bronze Star.

I retired as a Senior Chief Petty Officer in 97. As an outgoing award I was recommended for the Meritorious Service Medal. The recommendation was refused because I wasn't a Master Chief and was told it was for E9 and up.

It would have been unusual in my day to see an E-5 or E-6 wearing an MSM. However, I would need to know what career field these two were serving in.

I received mine in 2005 after 36yrs of service. 12yrs sounds a little short to me. I am sceptical that they could active the high standards of this award in souch a short time.

I have been retired over 20 years but in the old days it was understood that the MSM was to recognize top three enlisted and field grade officers with only few exceptions. Also, command level assignments but even then the recognition for junior enlisted and officers was done in most cases by the service’s commendation, joint service commendation, or achievement medal. In looking at the news over the past several years, it appears that the MSM is only one of the medals being watered down. When I see a picture that a crew member on a bomber is receiving their 8, 9, or 10 DFC, it really makes you wonder who’s screening these awards.

Requirements should be standard for all branches on this award.