Posted on Mar 30, 2014
Why don't more Soldiers wear their full size medals?
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I have attended dozens of Army Balls thoughout the years. And one thing stands out to me. No one wears full size medals. Everyone to incude senior NCOs and officers are content to wear ribbons. You might have one or two people sporting medals, but they usually are very rare. Why is that? <br><br>Every time I see pictures of Marines in their Dress Blues more often then not they are sporting medals. No matter what rank. I have seen E-2s and E-3s sporting medals during their Balls. Are they "required" to have them? Is it something pushed down by their NCOs, that everyone with wear Medals?
Uniforms
Pride
Medals
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 128
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I wore full sized medals on my uniform once. It was ridiculously heavy. I guess I could wear them to more functions, but I have dress mess witht he min medals and usually opt to wear that instead for formal functions. If I spent 350$ on the jacket, I am gonna get the milage out of it, lol. For the full sized medals, I only had to buy a few extras that I didn't have (or couldn't find) and it still cost me a pretty penny.
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While we're on this subject, what does the Old Guard do to their medals to make them look so straight. Do they have backers for the ribbon portion?
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SSG Matt Murphy
...that's how the Australian's do it....
...with "extra" ribbon backing
http://www.jbma.com.au/medal-mounting/default.aspx
...with "extra" ribbon backing
http://www.jbma.com.au/medal-mounting/default.aspx
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SFC (Join to see)
Their supply NCO's have rolls of raw ribbon, they cut a backer from an old credit card and use white glue to laminate the ribbon to the backer. They use hot glue to attach it to a standard ribbon and build a normal ribbon rack from them.
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I think we should be able to. I have even submitted a request through Airmen Powered by Innovation.
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SrA David Steyer
The only uniform I think it is allowed on is the Honor Guard and band one worn when the CSAF changed over a few years ago and hasn't been seen since.
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MSgt (Join to see)
WOW! this is different from when I was in. AFI36-2903 requires "miniature" medals on mess dress. Ribbons all other times. I also noticed that NCOs can no longer wear epilate rank insignia. Glad I am retired. I am not sewing rank on my blue shirts.
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Here are some reasons that I can think of:
1. Price of medals vs. ribbons, especially if they are the bright ones and preassembled.
2. More ribbons than medals so prefer them.
3. Not sure of regulations of how to wear medals vs. ribbons such as how high up, how long can they go, etc.
4. Weight. I know they can be heavy and well if you been around the block a bit you can be pretty decorated aka heavy.
5. Just always have worn ribbons why change?
I know I can relate with a few of these and I know a few of my Soldiers can too.
1. Price of medals vs. ribbons, especially if they are the bright ones and preassembled.
2. More ribbons than medals so prefer them.
3. Not sure of regulations of how to wear medals vs. ribbons such as how high up, how long can they go, etc.
4. Weight. I know they can be heavy and well if you been around the block a bit you can be pretty decorated aka heavy.
5. Just always have worn ribbons why change?
I know I can relate with a few of these and I know a few of my Soldiers can too.
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LTC Jason Mackay
1. You can build them yourself, it is not rocket science. The medals are expensive, however, you are issued one per initial award.
2. To each his own
3. Depending on ASU pocket size 3-4 medals across per row. 1/8 inch between row. Wear badges the same way as with ribbon except you can put them on the pocket flap. Can't have more medals in a successive row than the row under it. 670-1 lays it out in a page or two. As for how high, stop when they are inverted and hanging upside on your back.
2. To each his own
3. Depending on ASU pocket size 3-4 medals across per row. 1/8 inch between row. Wear badges the same way as with ribbon except you can put them on the pocket flap. Can't have more medals in a successive row than the row under it. 670-1 lays it out in a page or two. As for how high, stop when they are inverted and hanging upside on your back.
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The plain truth is...I'd tip over to one side if I wore the medals and that wouldn't be right. Just kidding. The real truth of the matter is I got used to moving my ribbons from one uniform to the next (eg. dress blues to Class A's) and back again, that moving the full sized medals just took too long.
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Very interesting question. If you gander at AR 670-1, para 22-2a says "Commanders may require the wear of authorized awards on the follow occasions:" such as parades, reviews, funerals, social occasions, etc. para 22-7 references the PAM. Now, DA PAM 670-1, para 22-7(a), states that "all personnel may wear full-sized decorations and service medals on the service/dress uniform".
With that in mind, from when I was a private, I was always told that NCOs wear medals, and officers do not, except if part of a ceremonial unit like in a funeral or something. After 25+ years in, I would have to agree with the above, that maybe the biggest factor is money. Medals aren't cheap, and they cost to get them set up. On the other hand, most senior officers that I know wear the Dress Mess that have the mini-medals and therefore full size is not an issue. I hope I get an opportunity to wear my full size one day. Shame to have them just sitting in my drawer and not proudly display them.
With that in mind, from when I was a private, I was always told that NCOs wear medals, and officers do not, except if part of a ceremonial unit like in a funeral or something. After 25+ years in, I would have to agree with the above, that maybe the biggest factor is money. Medals aren't cheap, and they cost to get them set up. On the other hand, most senior officers that I know wear the Dress Mess that have the mini-medals and therefore full size is not an issue. I hope I get an opportunity to wear my full size one day. Shame to have them just sitting in my drawer and not proudly display them.
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SSG (Join to see)
Sir, I never hear the one about medals for NCOs and Ribbons for Officers. I know Officers are frowned on for wearing Bolo badges.
Cost is a big factor. You are right. I got marred in 2006 in my Dress Blues with full size medals. I put them together myself. I think I spent about $60-70. I recently priced full sized online and set up it came to close to $200. WOW.
Cost is a big factor. You are right. I got marred in 2006 in my Dress Blues with full size medals. I put them together myself. I think I spent about $60-70. I recently priced full sized online and set up it came to close to $200. WOW.
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CPT (Join to see)
I know that this is the case in the Air Force when it comes to their equivalent to Class Bs. Officers will wear their AFSC badges but not ribbons, whereas NCOs will wear everything.
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SGM Mike Bachini
Sir. From what I have seen most field grade officers have a set of dress mess, then you wear the mini medals. Conspiracy theory on pricing costs? Just kidding! But enlisted dress mess just doesn't look right with the gold braids on the sleeves. I prefer the asu so that, at a glance, you can sum it all up, deployment time, years in service and the full military glory of jingles. I had heard that officers are highly encouraged to buy a set of dress mess when they become
Senior captains or field grades. Either way, the Army likes to have its leaders and warriors openly display their service. Like I said before in a previous post, be humble. But also do not be embarrassed or feel weird wearing what you earned!
Senior captains or field grades. Either way, the Army likes to have its leaders and warriors openly display their service. Like I said before in a previous post, be humble. But also do not be embarrassed or feel weird wearing what you earned!
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Im not AF, but i think everyone should be be allowed to have a uniform they may wear full sized medals on
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I would love to but I wear the Stay Bright badges. If I got them it would be the anodized and that would cost a fortune. Some are around $30 each. ($335 for the rack, just checked)
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LTC Jason Mackay
Mini and full size medals do not re assemble. Like trying to get tooth paste back in the tube
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1SG (Join to see)
LTC Jason Mackay - USAMilitaryMedals has a service (they don't advertise it)...if you buy your medals from them and need to update them later, you can request a form from them to accompany the original set you mail back...they will disassemble them & reassemble with the updated medals and hardware (you don't get charged for the medals they re-use). I found this out during my last deployment when I earned a new medal.
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Is it a branch thing?<div>The couple times I've gone to a Navy Ball, the prescribed uniform was miniature medals.</div>
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PO2 Christopher Sennett
You are right Commander. The Marines and Navy are more specific as what is or is not part of a specific uniform. For Marines, at least while I was in, Dress Blues weren't issued. The Marines that had them were Security Forces or Recruiters, or other units that required them. Others that had them ponied up the dough to buy them. But, dress blue alphas were medals with the tunic and blue trousers. Bravos were ribbons and badged with the tunic and trousers. Charlie was long sleeve khaki shirt with tie, ribbons and badges. Delta was short sleeve khaki shirt plus ribbons and badges. Medals were never worn on service uniforrms. Yes, getting medals mounted is expensive. The expensive part is purchasing the medals initially. Once that expense is over, it is just maintenance.
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Most of the time they will not force people to wear the medals become of the up front cost. Everyone in the army that gets a medal/award is issued the first one in a box. If soldiers just saved it, bought a special full size medal rack and just assembled as they went it wouldn't be an issue. That and comb through your battalions supply rooms, I guarantee that hey have boxes of medal sets collection dust. At least for the ARCOM, AAM, GCDM, GWOT, GOWTE. Maybe even nation defense and a few of the higher ones. I ran through two battalions supply shops to get medal sets for Soldiers and NCOs would wanted to wear the full
Sized medals. The resource is there, you just have to look for it. If they don't have it for free, consider it a very small price for living the part of the Army community. If
You re upped at least once you are a professional Soldier, become familiar and learn to enjoy the military only functions. I won't say it's our right but it is a privilege to
serve. (These comments are directed at the army, your post was lucky enough to get my response!). So your a professional Soldier, at this point you have bought into the lifestyle. Don't shirk going to any of the functions, balls, right arm nights, even frg meeting are important. The biggest thing that makes the army suck, and it does some of the time, is just dealing with the people in the army who don't want to be there.
Anyways
Long rant. Enjoy!
Sized medals. The resource is there, you just have to look for it. If they don't have it for free, consider it a very small price for living the part of the Army community. If
You re upped at least once you are a professional Soldier, become familiar and learn to enjoy the military only functions. I won't say it's our right but it is a privilege to
serve. (These comments are directed at the army, your post was lucky enough to get my response!). So your a professional Soldier, at this point you have bought into the lifestyle. Don't shirk going to any of the functions, balls, right arm nights, even frg meeting are important. The biggest thing that makes the army suck, and it does some of the time, is just dealing with the people in the army who don't want to be there.
Anyways
Long rant. Enjoy!
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SSG (Join to see)
Not everyone gets them issued. Thr only medal ive ever gotten that i didnt have to give back after the ceremony was the national defense lol
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