Posted on Jan 29, 2015
SFC Mark Merino
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Master aviation
In Army aviation, the Master Aircrew/Aviator Badge essentially trumped the deck (never earned mine). But with so many different branches and career fields, which ones command the greatest honor/respect? Inquiring minds want to know. Please enlighten the community with your answer and help us better understand the bigger picture.
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Responses: 47
MAJ(P) Operations Research/Systems Analysis
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As a young NCO, I inherited a "lost cause" SPC who was recently barred from reenlistment and fast tracking to be chaptered out. Fast forward 8 months later, I pinned his stripes on the same day he was getting awarded for being selected the BN "Soldier of the Year."

Oddly enough, it's not my own personal accolades that matters most. It's the success of my Soldiers.
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9 y
MAJ(P) (Join to see). OUTSTANDING!!! NOTHING LIKE SAVING A MEANINGFUL LIFE!!!
Your personal perspective on the value of personal awards vs your people is refreshing!!!
Warmest Regards, Sandy
MSG Dan Foster
MSG Dan Foster
9 y
CPT Blakeslee, look in the mirror and behold a true leader.
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SFC William "Bill" Moore
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Pinning
The day my Son Pinned my EOD badge to my chest. He practiced for two weeks hitting a spot on his big teddy bear just to make sure he could hit the badge. Little bugger sunk it home too!
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SGT Jim Z.
SGT Jim Z.
9 y
I had a buddy who got promoted to SGT and it was right after one the big hazing incidents broke and the first sergeant wanted to give "blood" rank so bad but refrained until my buddy's wife finished pinning him and then reared back with both fists and drove it home to a lot of oohs and aahs.
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SFC William "Bill" Moore
SFC William "Bill" Moore
9 y
SGT Zajc, The Marine Warrant in the picture pulled it out of my chest and drove it in again. I remember when the panty wastes started crying about the pinning and other things. I earned that badge, and I damn sure was going to earn it in the eyes of the Bomb Techs that went before me.
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CSM Brigade Operations (S3) Sergeant Major
CSM (Join to see)
9 y
SFC William "Bill" Moore
That's awesome! My greatest achievement is kind of the same but reversed. I was able to put the same Infantry blue cord I earned in 1987 around my sons shoulder in 2010 when he graduated OSUT.
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SSG General Services Technician And State Vehicle Inspector
SSG (Join to see)
9 y
CSM (Join to see), that has to be one of the very best experiences.
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Edited 9 y ago
SFC Mark Merino. Greatest Reward: Patients who arrive in mortal danger able to return home alive and intact!!!
Deepest Regrets: Patients we could / should have saved with names / stars cut into a wall / marker far from home.
Warmest Regards, Sandy
SFC Mark Merino
SFC Mark Merino
9 y
Fantastic answers, as always.
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