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

Rank based awards can be found in awards manuals at least as early as the 60s and the rational in those manuals has been applied informally and is generally appropriate.
MSM and higher awards were limited to higher ranks because they a. Are not combat awards, and b. Indicated the broad nature of the persons effect.

In short, the higher rank you are the bigger impact you have for the better or worse. A private that does well has limited effect compared to a SgtMaj that does well and the degree of responsibility and risk they assume is likewise comparable (for NON combat awards).

So. For an e5 or e6 to have received such an award i would expect to see a commensorately broad impact in their actions. I find that unlikey and more likely its an inflated award.

For those commenting on disparity between combat awards compared to noncombat awards, understand that most people i know would look at a NAM or NCOM with a V as a much more important and prestigious an award than a BS without a V. Everyone knows what a non valor award is and what it isnt. So its somewhat of an apples and oranges comparison, ie i respect the award of an e4 with a NAM w V way more than an O6 with a LOM. But i also know that O6 did a hell of alot in his 20+years that the E4 hasnt and his LOM level award is indicative of that.

So bottomline, its an inflated award to an e5 or e6 and cheapens the award and any future award they get. Bear in mind, whats next in that e5/e6s mind when they do something they personnally believe is more important and more difficult but get a lowet award by someone following the intent of the awards? And what about everyone else around them that may not agree it deserved such an overly high praise especially compared to others they have seen?
Inflating only creates more problems, it wrecks long term moral to give short term satisfaction. And its usually the product of a weak officer.

I recieved that reward .. after 30 some years !

It doesn't matter what rank someone is. If they've done the job to a higher standard to rate the award they should get it. Personally, I think the Marine Corps cares too much about rank when handing out awards. I've seen a Sgt get a NAM for doing less than a LCpl who got a CERTCOM on a MEU.

The norm in the Air Force is the Achievement Medal, the Commendation Medal and THEN the MSM. Not knowing why he got it I really can’t say.

In the late 80s I went to an Army major's office. He held a prior commission in the Corps. On his wall was a Certificate of Achievement for serving in the evacuation of the embassy in Saigon and the rescue of the crew of the Mayaguez. Had he been in any other branch he would have had a chest full of medals.

Hey Gunny, I believe that the MSM is a department of defence medal and there is no time in service requirements. If the Marines are choosing to make this a TIS medal then someone truly needs to read the regs. A medal issued foe TIS is the watered down version of the award. I'm not trying to argue or put down any service in any way. But word of mouth is the entire military's problem when it comes to awards and other actions. Find the regs, read them for yourself, and draw your own conclusions.

AR 600 8 22
3–15. Meritorious Service Medal
a. The Meritorious Service Medal was established by Executive Order 11448, 16 January 1969 as amended by
Executive Order 12312, 2 July 1981, as amended by Executive Order 13286, 28 March 2003. It is awarded to any
member 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.
b. After 16 January 1969 but prior to 11 September 2001, the Meritorious Service Medal is authorized to be
awarded only for meritorious service or achievement while serving in a non-combat area.

Any soldier with any rank of any branch is entitle to this award.

I agree with You, many medals are too easy to get. When I see first term troops that have mode medals than I received in over 20 years that tells Me a lot ! Many just seemniq to be automatic, they weren't before !

The longevity of servoce has nothing to do with the conditions under which an individual performs their service. It is simply admirable or exeplary service.

I spent 29 years in the Army Guard and I never saw anyone that young with this award. I received one as an LTC during my tenure as battalion commander. Don’t know about these folks but it seems a tad early in their career for such as award.