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

It's a genuine concern.

In general, the Marine Corps awards superior performers with Achievement Medals for first two enlistments (E-1 thru E-5), Commendation Medals for next two enlistments (E-6 thru E-7), and MSM for next enlistment up to 20 years and beyond (E-8 thru E-9). Now there are out some “Meritorious/Outstanding” performers than may earn the next higher award due to the level responsibilities held, but they are the exceptions and not the rule.

Awards are not to be based on rank or length of service. This is in the Army regulation but has been forgotten or ignored. The act or acts are what is important.

IMHO, standardization of medal award criteria across all military services is required in order to be equitable to all. Although I have no hard data to support it, I believe it fair to say if you see a Marine wearing an award, he or she EARNED it.

When you consider that I only got mine awarded at my retirement from the Army after 39+ years(active & reserve) service, and a Legion of Merit was declined, it does seem like they are being given away more freely these days, although not as freely as the Army Achievement Medal and the Army Commendation Medal. Even Bronze Stars seem to be handed out like candy these days. So I’m not sure how any of the services are justifying the award of this medal at such an early time in a service members career. It seems like it could be a career killer if they don’t continue to “walk on water”, and it lessens the award of those that busted their ass to actually earn it.

I've seen people who deserve certain medals not get them. Not delivering on a CUCV chair for my BC cost me a Bronze Star in ODS. I got my MSM after 23 years in the military it wasn't a retirement medal. It was for R&D work for systems that directly support combat soldiers.

MSMs are not easy to get generally speaking

Before I retired, I learned that a lot of those award citations are written by the service member themselves and signed off on by their leadership. When I got mine at retirement, the citation was done by the !SG and commander and had to be signed by a General Officer. But I am aware of many senior noncommissioned officers who wrote their own citations having 2 and 3 awards of the MSM.

I was written up twice to receive the Meritorious Service Medal in 8 years active duty. Both times it was downgraded to Air Force Commendation Medal before being awarded. I suspect part of the reason was the fact my work was highly classified and the citation write up had few details.

I served from 80 to 16... Infantry Officer/SOC, Two wars and cold war West Germany-South Korea. I felt honored to receive a MSM at retirement. Your right... It should remain a high standard/service award.