Should the DOD have a medal to acknowledge civilian education level?

Oh stop.

You do anything for the positive outcome. Why did you do everything you did if it werent to be a SGM?

SFC Mark Merino 100%.

That might be true, but the same would apply to many things (and could be stretched to fit even more). Personally I don't think we need a medal for civilian education, but at the same time I don't see any serious reasons to oppose one either.

Rather than thinking of a medal as motivating someone to do whatever it is given for, let's view non-valor medals as acknowledging something that the military wants to encourage. The original poster highlighted the existing medal for outstanding volunteer service -- I would strongly doubt that anyone performs volunteer service BECAUSE OF the medal, although I am quite sure that the military has become more aware of the volunteer activities of service members due to the medal. The point here is that service members volunteering with community service organizations is considered something that the military wants to both encourage and acknowledge. There are numerous ways such activities benefit the military. I haven't heard of any serious objections to the Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.

I would point out that the Army, Air Force and Space Force each have an NCO Professional Development Ribbon acknowledging military education -- What is the point of this award when completion of each level of military schooling is a requirement for each NCO rank? Certainly no one is motivated to attend any of the leadership courses because of this ribbon, so exactly what is its purpose? When it was established, these schools were not a requirement for promotion. The award was to acknowledge those who had completed these military schools. Is it unreasonable that the military might also acknowledge civilian education?

At least half the awards on most service members uniforms signify nothing more than I-went-where-the-service-sent-me-and-did-what-the-service-required-there. So perhaps a few awards for doing something above and beyond the minimum requirements might not be such a bad idea.

MSG Thomas Currie - I present you with the esteemed RP achievement medal for superior posting skills.

1st Sergeant McPherson, that was very well said and I agree completely with Your statements. I can think of individuals I know that prove having a degree doesn't mean Your smart or can even do the job. I present some of them as evidence. I'm not against the education, I'm a college graduate Myself however most a workers value come from actual performance, experience and common sense not just what they learned in books. The education can still be a good addition to the aforementioned but only is part of the total package.

1SG Mark Reed - I never felt inadequate, I just determined I would be like them on day. The macho attitude is what makes us great. The harder it is to achieve the stronger someone becomes. The giving weaklings low hanging fruit makes them fat, lazy and worthless. Hell yes go to school, I hope its hard, because you find out more about yourself then if it's easy. Like Tom Hanks says in A League of Their Own " Its supposed to be hard, that's what makes it great!"

Agreed!! I joined with a GED and now have a Master's and think this ribbon is a ridiculous idea...

Yeah, youre right.

While we are here, lets get rid of everything medal that doesnt promote leadership quality.

From now on, im wearing my ncodp medal, and nothing else.

Give them a medal. I want to see an E4 wearing one for a Masters Level degree.

SFC David Richard Allen - I’d never wear it either.

SFC David Richard Allen - So is the CIB, are ready to delete that as well?

MSG Thomas Currie - grunts would lose their minds.