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 my full sized medals... Only at military balls though... Payday activities I just wore my ribbons like everyone else
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I wear medals as well to formal events. I always get a lot of great comments. The only time that I have seen others wear medals was an odd Audie Murphie ball that I was invited to.
The expense part is kind of invalid. Standard medals are about 10 bucks a piece, give or take. The problem is 1) education, as many do not know that they can actually wear them and 2) don't want to make the effort.
For myself, I bought mine early on in my career and the expense was minimal, and have added them over time. To buy them all at once would cost about 500 bucks. For those interested, medalsofamerica.com do great work and have fast turnaround time, and I highly recommend them.
The expense part is kind of invalid. Standard medals are about 10 bucks a piece, give or take. The problem is 1) education, as many do not know that they can actually wear them and 2) don't want to make the effort.
For myself, I bought mine early on in my career and the expense was minimal, and have added them over time. To buy them all at once would cost about 500 bucks. For those interested, medalsofamerica.com do great work and have fast turnaround time, and I highly recommend them.
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SSG (Join to see)
I agree! Yes, you right get them as you receive them and down the road, it is more cost effective.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
I have a full set of the hanging medals that were issued along with the ribbon that also came with it and in some cases lapel pin was included. Also included was a printout from MPC, Military Personnel Center, listed all the medals, ribbons and devices i was authorized. Only foreign decorations were not issued, those had to be purchases and i had two and bought both of them. he higher hanging medal awards wore once, only on the day they were pinned on Me and never wore them again. I only wore the service ribbons and only on the service uniform they were not optional but required on. All of them I still keep in the boxes and when I pass on someday (no hurry) I will pass them on to My oldest son with the box I keep all that kind of stuff in.
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SSG (Join to see) Full size medals are a Marine thing, but they certainly respect my rack of ribbons at a Marine Ball!
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I had my original issue medals with my name engraved on the back mounted for less than $60 (I have 11 medals). The company did a great job. So price is not a factor if you wear the medals that were originally pinned on you.
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Is there a certain time of day that they are allowed (after 1800)? I have a brain booboo so be gentle if I made an a$$ of myself.
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I wore full sized medals for my wedding and was complemented by a stranger who was a recently retired NCO.
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I completely agree even when I came in straight out of basic I wondered the same thing, I would love to wear my Full Sized Medals as well
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