Were you more interested in getting promoted, or in earning medals, or both?

They are both nice, though neither has ever been my goal. Of course both to a certain extent are a necessity if I want to stay in. It would be dishonest to say I don't want to be promoted, move up, make more money, etc. However, it's not why I serve, and I know many others agree. If your sole focus is either of those things, good benefits can still be achieved, but if they are a byproduct of being a good Soldier/Sailor/Airman/Marine the results will be better.

Actually, I didn't think about either. I just wanted to do my job to the best of my ability. Worked well - I got promoted three times when I didn't even know I was under consideration.

Promoted. You can't buy anything with our medals.

Well, promotion and medals walk hand in hand IMHO.

When I recieved my Bronze Star in Nam, the General who pinned it said “when you get back to the states you can take this medal and 50 cents and you can get a 50 cent cup of coffee”

I valued the respect of my peers and subordinates and self esteem more. Other than my Good conduct award I recieved 2 personal awards ( actually the same one twice for two different time periods).
I ran into a lot of individuals with plenty of personal awards. Some were really outstanding. some just happened to work closer to the flagpole. I stayed away from HQ as much as possible. I never served in any billet outside of a Company or Battery. Never was in any staff billets.

I am more motivated by awards than promotions since awards are easier to come by. Awards to me signal that I am headed in the right direction. I dont care about promotions as long as the job is getting done. I am a SPC in SSG position in a SOF command, where rank is immaterial. When I go to the land of inferiority complexes (aka the regular Army) where people throw around rank like politicians sling mud, then I will be more focused on getting fast tracked. I know my days in SOF are numbered for the interests of a diverse career, so I am trying to get groomed to think like a SFC already.

Promoted without question. Medals just come over time.

I have always thought promotion. Chasing medals is plain stupid. If you are in the military to see how many medals you can get you are in it for the wrong reason. IF you strive for promotions and learn how to use each rank effective. The medals will fall into place over a career. Gaining rank can be bad if achieved to quickly as well. So watch out, try to learn everything about your job, and take care of your Soldiers.

Getting promoted I always thought earning medals was out of my control & was decided by my superiors ..