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

There use to be in the Air Force as well, But take a look at the bronze star awards, they were handing them out like candy to CMSgts Just because they were in the AOR when I was over there. Point being some where along the line the unwritten standards for awards and decarations especially MSMs and Bronze stars were forgotten or ignored.

I was awarded the MSM as an E-6 with 5 years of service. The rationale was selection as Drill Sergeant of the Cycle twice within 18 months and an additional Company Drill Sergeant of the Cycle. But truth be told, the real reason I got the award was a good friend was the former BN Clerk and knew how to write the award.
Historically, some deserving don’t get the award and some undeserving do get it. Life’s not fair. Deal with it.

Before I retired, in the Navy normally the only time you saw any enlisted with one they were E-7 and above and were getting it at around 18 yrs or retirement.

It’s all based on the command. I was in Iraq and watched officer after officer receiving the BSM. I ran 2 to 3 missions a day with 3 vehicles and we were hit 3 times with IED’s. I put all my team members in for the MSM and only 1 was approved. I found out later that the high command approved all officers for a BSM and I was the only E-6 to receive one. Everyone else was given an ARCOM.

I have two MSMs, one awarded at 18 years and one when I retired at 22 years. USAF MSgt. (E-7).

And I remember during my time being denied a Navy COM that was deserved by an asshole chief that didn’t believe anyone E-7 and below deserved one regardless of situation.

I could be wrong but I heard that they started awarding these rather than Bronze Star medals because the BSM was getting watered down as far as the meritorious Bronze Star goes. The BSM/V was still awarded for Valor but the BSM for meritorious service was getting out of hand.

I seen an Army National Guard Specilist (E4) bake a cake for the Battalion Commanders (O5) Birthday out in the field and receive the MSM.

Sometimes it comes with the unit. Check with others from the same company. I know I felt weird with it not to mention the French fourragere. But, they were part of the company package. Expected for all formal uniforms.

The officers usually give them to each other for doing nothing more then signing their signatures during deployment... non combat related deployments at that ... another pointless medal