Should there be a Cold War Ribbon?

I say a medal is well deserved and what does it hurt to show recognition for those that served during that time. 

Talk about torn emotions. &nbsp;I really did not realize the some vets of the Cold War were NOT authorized the NSDM. Since I was on Active Duty from 1966 to 1996 I received TWO NSDM and really do not need a new medal, BUT if there are military members out there who were not recognized for their service, then YES we do need a MEDAL, not just a certificate (which I have) that covers the Cold War. &nbsp;<div><br></div><div>So, &nbsp;in light of the above I have to say YES. We really do need a Cold War (or Warrior) Medal. This is needed to make sure those who did NOT receive a NSDM get the recognition they so fully deserve!</div>

<span style="color: rgb(55, 64, 78); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12 [login to see] 91406px; line-height: 18px;">I served during these times. We had enough threats during the time I was in, just after Viet Nam. We were put on alert when N. Korea killed 3 American officers, alerted when Russian subs off the coast of California were found monitoring my unit's work. &nbsp;Then Libya, Grenada, Panama. Not to mention the Iron Curtain and threat of MAD.</span><br style="color: rgb(55, 64, 78); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12 [login to see] 91406px; line-height: 18px;"><br style="color: rgb(55, 64, 78); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12 [login to see] 91406px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: rgb(55, 64, 78); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12 [login to see] 91406px; line-height: 18px;">I helped develop the equipment and weapons that carried us through today's conflicts. Not even authorized for the NDSM.</span><br style="color: rgb(55, 64, 78); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12 [login to see] 91406px; line-height: 18px;">

I work with a team on another site that builds profiles of all soldiers who have served, whether they belong to the site or not. One factor I have noticed is the number of medals soldiers receive in the last 20 years compared to those who served in conflicts or the service prior to 1994. I have seen soldiers, especially those in the guard or reserves, who have five rows of ribbons on their profile and some have never been deployed. Compare that to those who served in Vietnam, saw combat, and only have three or four ribbons, one being the Purple Heart. All of us who served in Vietnam fought a hot war in the bigger Cold War, yet we have never been authorized any medal for being sentenials serving against communism, as the Cold War medal signifies. Seeing how all the medals authorized since 1991 seem to have exploded, compared to prior to that point in time, how is expense of one medal significant? My take is the medal shows you have served and performed your duty at the highest level and have been acknowledged for you accomplishment. Those of us who served in Korea and Vietnam damn sure earned a Cold War medal and all the other medals we wear on our chest.

My first tour of duty was from 1979 through 1988 in all three components of the Army. Not to my surprise I knew absolutely nothing about any considerations of medals for those of us who served from 1945 through 1991. I too would be willing to purchase my own medal to help the government save a few pennies in sending it to me through the mail. If I were to receive one I would display it with the other three medals that I have been awarded as a result of my military service. However, I seriously doubt that any such medal will be&nbsp;issued for anyone in that era, let alone approved. Dare to dream fellow cold war vets, dare to dream.

I have served during both the "Cold War" era and the current GWOT. Yes during the "cold War" era we were always on alert, had practice deployment preps and training. But that is all it was.... training. There was a time when Gaddafi came out with a hit list of places he would strike. I was at a location that was near or at the top of the list. We were on alert, but nothing ever happened. Don't really think a ribbon should be given out for that time period. Once you start doing that, there were be many more ribbons that will have to be authorized for periods following the GWOT.
Having served in both times, I would have to say the "GWOT" time has been more stressful and dangerous than serving during the peacetime of the "Cold War". It was not a war, just a name given to a period of time.

Definitely yes.&nbsp; Particularly in light of those times.&nbsp;&nbsp; We got through the era but the threat of disaster loomed very large.

I sent in for it but never received it. I totally forgot about it until now. Anyone have the info for me? BTW, I think they should. A generation of veterans who served during that Cold War Period deserve recognition.

I've given this some deep thought, although I didn't fact-check the basis for this opinion... Please correct me if I'm factually incorrect here.

Folks that deployed for Desert Shield (but not Storm) are eligible for the SWADM despite participating in a campaign where no shot was fired and whose purpose was to face down a potential adversary and deter aggression. Further, the coinciding NDSM eligibility period begins with the start of Desert Shield (not Storm).

Ultimately, the Desert Shield mission failed because Desert Storm became necessary (arguably)--the Cold War mission succeeded when our potential adversary (USSR) dissolved without a shot (at least the non-covert kind).

I'll argue that the Cold War mission was functionally equivilant to Desert Shield; it just lasted longer and involved more personnel.

If we accept that premise, then Cold War vets that deployed to front line defense units should be awarded a campaign medal, and all servicemembers active during that era should be entitled to the NDSM.

Desert Shield is handled in that manner, so the Cold War should be as well. Fair is fair.

Note: I realize there few Desert Shield vets that are not also Desert Storm vets. I do know, however, that vets of both campaigns were awarded TWO SWADMs--so the two campaigns were treated as separate, award-worthy events. vr/ Jim

Absolutely! To recognize those that served during that time.