Are all military medals - REALLY earned?

[Salty]

The ASR is most certainly still awarded.

The ol ASR (and a parachutist badge) was all I had for almost 2 years. Received an AAM during an exercise in Thailand, Good Conduct Medal a year after that, and an ARCOM when I left active duty after 4 years. 3 medals and 1 ribbon for 4 years of peacetime service.

Of course, 9/11 happened 2 weeks after my ETS, and the awards and op tempo (and the funerals) all increased dramatically.

II stand corrected. When the ASR first came out - it was when the NDSR was no longer authorized (ie no combat). My thinking was in essence was that the ASR was the peacetime equivalent of the NDSR. But as I had stated before - it is awarded upon completion of MOS - Combat or lack thereof is not a factor..

 

[Salty]

IMHO - the ASR is not needed (though not currently awarded)

I have always stated that the only reason the Army came up with the ASR was because otherwise the new GI would have no medals to wear - and how can you gig a GI during an inspection for medals - if he has none!!!

 

[Two Wings]

Air Medal

in SW asia.

recovered a single engine A10 to base from my assigned area 60 south of Baghdad.

i have no problem taking my comped airport parking. I do appreciate the accommodation.

 

[tyndale1946]

The ASR is most certainly still awarded.

The ol ASR (and a parachutist badge) was all I had for almost 2 years. Received an AAM during an exercise in Thailand, Good Conduct Medal a year after that, and an ARCOM when I left active duty after 4 years. 3 medals and 1 ribbon for 4 years of peacetime service.

Of course, 9/11 happened 2 weeks after my ETS, and the awards and op tempo (and the funerals) all increased dramatically.

I should have been given a medal for Maggie's Drawers, I guess that is why they put me in a tank, if you miss the target, at least you will destroy something close by... But I guess them being sympathetic, I got to wear the toilet seat... Brother (Oorah) Glen

 

[Reynolds]

Veteran (West Point grad) Jack Reed has an interesting outlook on this question

Click here for link:

Don't want to throw shade, but many are not. Guy I was on shift with at PD got purple heart in Iraq for badly breaking his leg. He was drunk and fell off an Abrams.

 

[Salty]

Don't want to throw shade, but many are not. Guy I was on shift with at PD got purple heart in Iraq for badly breaking his leg. He was drunk and fell off an Abrams.

Like Jake Reed Said - per AR - a purple heart is for injury caused by enemy fire.

 

[Salty]

So why point out the NDSM or ASR? The criteria are plainly written, and the award is earned if the criteria are met.

Because previously a poster stated that he recd the National Defense Service Medal "just for being in" that was incorrect - you must be on active duty during: "Military service during periods of national emergency or any other periods designated by the Secretary of Defense."

Era From To
Korean War........Jun 27, 1950............ Jul 27, 1954
Vietnam War..... Jan 1, 1961............. Aug 14, 1974
Gulf War ............Aug 2, 1990............. Nov 30, 1995
GWT.................. Sep 11, 2001----------- Present

From Wiki: National Defense Service Medal - Wikipedia

 

[Centrist]

I was in the army back in '92. No ASR because of early departure (my knees couldn't handle it), but I did get a NDSM. I double checked with JAG and they said it's legit.

 

[Salty]

I was in the army back in '92. No ASR because of early departure (my knees couldn't handle it), but I did get a NDSM. I double checked with JAG and they said it's legit.

Yep - 1992 - during the Gulf War.