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

Why does it matter ? The awards system isn’t one size fits all. A Marine not seeing value in another servicemember’s being awarded an MSM seems counter to the Marine Corps ethos. Why do you feel that you have to question a decision made by people who outrank you, from another service ? If the Marine Corps has a higher standard for awards, that’s their choice. To infer that younger members shouldn’t be awarded an MSM makes me think that the Marines don’t value their own young men and women. If that’s true, then something needs to change in that branch of service.

Gunny SEMPER FI! No that wasn't necessarily the direction I thought your question was going in. Similar to you, I did 22 years active duty and never once saw anyone below E6 with an MSM. My last Command, CSSG-1, 1st FSSG, put me in for, and I was awarded the MSM as an E8. I was very much surprised as a) I did not know I was being put in for it and, mostly b) I didn't know they were awarded to anyone below Colonel.

I myself became a bit disillusioned with awards, specifically the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, as I felt it was being given out too often and way to often to Sailors for just doing their job. The Marines seemed to always have a higher standard. At the time I was in, I don't believe I ever saw a non-SNCO Marine with a NAM. I was especially leary of Sailors who had multiple awards of the NAM. To my way of thinking, it was, or should have been, a once in a career type award. Clearly not the level of a MoH, but still not given like pogey bait.

Anyway Gunny, I hope this clears the air and more answers your direct question. If not, yes, there should be some standardisation, however, awarding someone's merit is always subjective. Personally I wouldn't have given me an MSM. I feel I did my job to the best of my ability which was all the recognition I need. Obviously, my BN CO thought otherwise.

Who cares?

If your only goal in life is to get more medals and awards than Audie Murphy, I don't want to be within a hundred miles of your dumb ass. Cuz you're going to get yourself or your team members killed.

I got the MSM as an E5 for my role during a deployment. Ray Odierno approved it, and he had a very good reason too.

What is the Meritorious Service Medal??? Why is it awarded ???

There have been many cases were Privates have earned a Congressional Medal of Honor for extreme acts of bravery and there have been PLENTY of officers that have received a Combat Infantryman's Badge without ever having fired a shot, taken fire or even left the relatively safe walls of the base they are assigned to. Bottom line...some medals are earned legitimately and some are given just because.

Who cares? I mean every service branch has their regulations as to when ,where and how their service members wear their awards on said uniform.NEXT!

What does how long someone has been in have to do with with receiving a medal. If they met the criteria then they earned it regardless of rank or time in service.

Army, Airforce. Navy are like Oprah. You get an award you get an award everybody gets an award