Should RallyPoint add an awards section to the profile for both military & civilian members?

I dont think it's necessary. Awards are something to be proud of but there's also no need to flaunt them IMO. I'm probably a bit different on this but I was always suspect of anyone who wore their awards on anything but their Class A uniform.

To me being able to learn the history behind the awards, campaigns, the awards given by the different services and stories that led to them, would be fascinating. But that comes from the perspective of a civilian who was a History major and believes in the documentation of the role of military veterans as part of our accurate historic record.

I can see where members would be concerned about people that may enhance their awards, and I'd hope most would be wise enough to not do that here, but..there are ones who would view this site as the ultimate challenge. I would hate to think there would be members who were constantly checking to see if others who posted awards were being truthful just to "out" them on this site. It would make things uncomfortable where now generally everything is quite friendly. So overall, as a few others have said, leaving the section for MOH seems to be right, unless the subject comes up in other discussions.

While some people may be inclined to think there should be an awards section for RP, I would beg to differ. I'll use the words my father shared with me: "In the military, awards and medals mean something to some; however, when you're retired or discharged all the Silver Stars, Bronze Stars and Purple Hearts you may have still won't buy you a cup of coffee". A medal doesn't make a person nor does it define a person unless that person needs it to feel whole.

This was my response to a discussion on the same topic.

Somewhere in the awards discussions section there's a discussion started by SGT Bryon Sergent that invites RP members to post their racks. Haven't seen any of the obvious posers, valor thieves or inflators that people seem to be worried about. There's no requirement to post documentation for the racks. I've only seen two posts challenged, one for a CAB(2d Awd) that went unanswered and another regarding the number of campaign stars on a service ribbon that was answered. There are a number of responses of the "What's that green and yellow one right there by the NDSM?" variety that are usually explained. It's all been pretty civil so far. So anecdotal experience shows such a feature would be self policing.

To my mind assuming that award information will be embellished or falsified and therefore must be verified in detail by "someone" before posting is akin to those folks who believe we build highways to catch speeders.

Although I voted yes on this question there is one point to make on military awards or
service ribbon racks. I have seen all the service ribbons that are awarded to active duty
military today and the younger veterans. While taking nothing away from this group as
I know they have earned every service ribbon they were awarded there is a divide here.
The older veterans on RP who served in the 1960's and 70's had no access to many of
the service ribbon awards because they did not exist during that time of service. Two
examples of this are the Army Service Ribbon and the Army Overseas Service Ribbon
which did not exist until August of 1981. Army service veterans could be awarded
these two service ribbons retroactively only if they were still on active duty status in
August of 1981. This shuts out thousands of honorable service veterans who earned
these two ribbons. There are more service ribbons awarded by the military today than
in the past which is not a problem as long as this "service ribbon rack" question does
not divide the different generations of veterans on RallyPoint.

Why not? It might be fun.

DD-214, All we need is one or two stolen honor people and RP might be to of jumped the shark.

It would be nice to have a little awards board on RP Member's page, where it shows the ribbons like they would be displayed on a uniform. Though, mine would be pretty sad. I'm sure some members would abuse it, but at the same time, there is nothing really stopping them from abusing similar things now or claiming awards they haven't earned. We just trust that MOST of us are honest and have the INTEGRITY you'd expect out of a service member, past or present.

Perhaps for certain awards, like those above the Commendation Medal, there should be some form of proof or verification needed. If you're a MoH, Service Cross, Distinguished Service, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Purple Heart etc. you should be required to have those awards verified before they appear PUBLICLY on your account. Just an idea. Perhaps that could be an admin function - verifying accounts.

SSG Carlos Madden I feel this would be a neat addition to RallyPoint.

Would this include Halo awards?

We all know what we have accomplished...or not. If you have the need to "advertise" your accomplishments build a shadow box or like we do in groups like the VFW and wear your ribbons, etc. at certain occasions like Memorial Day or Veterans Day or at the funeral for a fallen brother or sister in arms.