A Ribbon and Medal Question

[Lorix]

Marines, what ribbons/medals have you earned the right to wear and how did you earn them?

For me, I'm just starting off, so I have two ribbons:
National Defense Ribbon- issued in boot camp for my services to this country
Global War On Terrorism (GWOT)- 3 months into the fleet during the War on Terrorism

[Marine84]

dang................you get ribbons just for signing up these days?

the only thing I ever got was a good conduct............how boring

[Taz97]

Mine are as follows....


-Purple Heart- Al Asad, 2004
-NAM w/ Combat V- Fallujah, 2003
-Good Cookie with Bronze star in lieu of 2nd award
-National Defence
-Afghanistan Campaign- Kabul 2002
-Iraq Campaign- Fallujah 2003-04, Al Asad 2004-05
-Global War Exp medal- Attached to MEU that received it
-GWOT
-Sea Service Deployment with 2 Bronze stars in lieu of 2nd and 3rd awards- 3/3, 2/3, 24th MEU
-Overseas Service- 2 years stationed in Germany

[Marine84]

you go boy!

[Taz97]

Mine are as follows....


-Purple Heart- Al Asad, 2004
-NAM w/ Combat V- Fallujah, 2003
-Good Cookie with Bronze star in lieu of 2nd award
-National Defence
-Afghanistan Campaign- Kabul 2002
-Iraq Campaign- Fallujah 2003-04, Al Asad 2004-05
-Global War Exp medal- Attached to MEU that received it
-GWOT
-Sea Service Deployment with 2 Bronze stars in lieu of 2nd and 3rd awards- 3/3, 2/3, 24th MEU
-Overseas Service- 2 years stationed in Germany

I forgot to put the CAR on there. I was awrded it in 2005. Almost 3 years after I should have gotten it. You know how slow paperwork is sometimes.

[Taz97]

Just to add to this thread. The ribbons and medals I have don't make me the Marine I am. The exceptional young NCO's, Lcpl's and Pfc's I serve with are who makes me a good Marine.

[Camper51]

Ribbons are the luck of the draw ,I think. 8 years and all I got were a goodie badge and the I served badge ( Good Conduct MEDAL AND National Defense Service Medal for you newbies), Oh yeah the I can shoot awards, too!!

Semper Fi

[rktect3j]

Overseas service ribbon w/ bronze star.
Good Conduct Medal cause I was a good boy.
Kuwait Liberation medal.
Southwest Asia service medal w/ 2 bronze stars. Persian Gulf War and West Pac 92'
NUC Navy Unit Commendation?
National Defense

(2) letters of appreciation but I was told there were going to have been (4) Basically 2 officers who said they would decided not to write the letters.

Was also told I would receive a joint forces award but that never panned out either.

Rifle Expert 242/250

[franco90]

does it matter what we have I do not care about ribbons and medals.
who cares if some have more that others . All it matters to me is the rank rank equals more pay .. but for the record I have 11 RIBBONS and a super squad badge.................:marine:

[franco90]

does it matter what we have I do not care about ribbons and medals.
who cares if some have more that others . All it matters to me is the rank rank equals more pay .. but for the record I have 11 RIBBONS and a super squad badge.................:marine:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v420/franco90/rfere.jpg here is a picture .. pending CAR:flag:

[Hocker]

dang................you get ribbons just for signing up these days?

the only thing I ever got was a good conduct............how boring
No s h i t whats next a medal for throwing a nade (army dogs)

[Lorix]

does it matter what we have I do not care about ribbons and medals.
who cares if some have more that others . All it matters to me is the rank rank equals more pay .. but for the record I have 11 RIBBONS and a super squad badge.................:marine:
This post was not intended to see who was better than who, why does everyone have to turn MY posts into a fight? You know I'm just going to encourage the fight and then a mediator will have to break us up, and then I will apologize and go about my business.

Trying to avoid that outcome, back to business; I was just curious as too who was involved in what campaigns and wanted to see what kind of awards are easily obtained (no offense intented), and those one's that are rarely attained (yes I know, each ribbon/medal is earned through hard work, I agree). I would also like to know exactly how each was awarded, what specific acts were involved to earn such an award, thank you.

[Phantom Blooper]

Lorix,franco90's response is more than likely the response that you will get from most combat veterans. It isn't an attack towards you. Most combat Marines that have medals and ribbons do not flaunt them.

From experience all they are for uniform display is a pain to align and figure out do I rate this and then figure the precedence. Every one that has ribbons and medals that received them honestly have something to be proud of and there is probably a story behind them. They do look good in a shadowbox display when one leaves the service for memorabilia and on the "I love me wall."

But other than being told what ribbons and medals one rate's. I think you will be hard pressed to get someone to tell you how they were or why they were awarded a purple heart,bronze star,silver star or the CAR. I may be prov en wrong but most Marines will only talk to someone,"whose been there and done that."

Good motivation on starting a new post....but,just my humble, "been there and done that." By no means am I speaking for all.

Semper-Fi! "Never Forget" Chuck Hall :evilgrin:

[Old Marine]

Lorix:

Ribbons won't buy you a beer in the local pub or a cup of joe in the corner cafe, but, the more you have the more they will cost you when you have to buy new ones at the exchange for inspections.

[Lorix]

I didn't see franco90 as personally attacking me, just know from experience thus far that it would most likely spawn into an agrument, just trying to crush fights before they begin. If you haven't noticed already, I tend to get into quite a few arguments on these posts.

I don't expect anyone to tell me war stories or what not, when I said "specific", I didn't mean detailed (which would be nice, but I don't expect it), I just meant more like someone got a CAR, (for what?), from fighting in Iraq, or maybe the battle of Fallujah, something like that, not real specific, but a little more than just naming the ribbon. But if they don't want to add anything like that, just keep it at CAR, that's fine for me. I'm not infantry, but I am a Marine, and I understand more than most people the reasons behind not wanting to boast about awards given.

This was a post of curiosity, not to discriminate. Believe me, the intention was a positive one. Let's keep it at that.

:angel:

[MillRatUSMC]

Ribbons and Medals are just individual awards and they reflect what in your service record book, if that what it's called now.
It's not a reflection, who better but it indicates one character.
After a while they tend to get a bother, because you have to keep them clean and placed accordingly.
Somewhere I still hear a voice from my past;
"I won't give you any medals for doing your job"
Neither did we expect or want any medal for doing our jobs.
Even if we were deep in mud in the rice paddies.
Most will wear their medals, others will display them on their "love me wall".
Many would just rather wear the uniform as plain as possible because that really what we are United States Marines, nothing more nothing less...
Chesty, what would say to us about medals at this age if you could?
Seeing that you were one of the highest decorated Marine.
Is it much to do about nothing...

[rktect3j]

I had no problem listing my awards here on this site. It is one way to see who another is. Another picture of the person. And especially on this type of site with others in the same arena. There is no bragging here. We all know what the awards are and what they are for. Now if a civy asked me, I would probably have just let it go. There is no point in discussing these awards with them. If a Marine doesn't feel like sharing his awards here that is his right and vice versa.

[Phantom Blooper]

Lorix,franco90's response is more than likely the response that you will get from most combat veterans. It isn't an attack towards you


I didn't see franco90 as personally attacking me


This post was not intended to see who was better than who, why does everyone have to turn MY posts into a fight? You know I'm just going to encourage the fight and then a mediator will have to break us up, and then I will apologize and go about my business. Everyone knows that!

This was a post of curiosity, not to discriminate. Believe me, the intention was a positive one. Let's keep it at that. OK!

If you haven't noticed already, I tend to get into quite a few arguments on these posts. Why?

You answered your own questions....

Semper-Fi! "Never Forget" Chuck Hall :evilgrin:

[jennifer]

THAT IS SO TRUE... AND A THING THAT BUGGED ME WAS THAT ONE OF THE MARINES I WAS OUT IN IRAQ WITH GOT A PURPLE HEART AND HE HAD TO PAY FOR THE DAMN THING... I THINK THAT FOR CERTAIN RIBBONS YOU SHOULDNT HAVE TO PAY FOR THEM... THE FREAKIN PURPLE HEART MEDAL COSTS LIKE 30 DAMN DOLLARS... MAN... LCPL'S AND PFC'S AND PVTS' (WHICH ARE THE ONES WHO GET EM MOST TIMES)CANT ALWAYS AFFORD TO BUY EM...

I HAVE:
IRAQI CAMPAIGN MEDAL
GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM SERVICE MEDAL
SEA SERVICE DEPLOYMENT RIBBON
NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL(FIREWATCH)
ARMED FORCES RESERVE WITH "M"
Lorix:

Ribbons won't buy you a beer in the local pub or a cup of joe in the corner cafe, but, the more you have the more they will cost you when you have to buy new ones at the exchange for inspections.

[bigalholmes165]

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The Best Medal Is A Live Man's Smile

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[Range Coach]

You mean to tell me that you aren't a little bit curious (maybe even envious) when you see a crusty old Gunny with a chest full of fruit salad?

[outlaw3179]

Im proud of my ribbons and medals . Thats not to say I wear em when I go out the bars, but I think most Marines are also. Its just kind of one of those things that says been there done that cool. It doesnt make you better or worse. but just like range coach said . I remember walking around as a boot and seeing an old Sgt. Major with a fat stack just think "Damn" hes been through some sheeet.

[Marine0313]

GOOD QUESTION ABOUT RIBBONS BUT IM MOST PROUD OF THE ONE ON MY CHEST THAT SAYS U.S MARINES YOU ONLY HAVE TO BY IT WHEN YOU GET BIGGER AND GET NEW CAMMIES OH YEAH I ALMOST FORGOT I LIKE THE WORDS BIG SO I CAN SEE WHAT IM TYPING AND I DONT CARE IF YOU DONT LIKE THE FACT THAT I DONT USE ANY PUNCTUATION I AM A MARINE GRUNT AND COULD REALLY CARE LESS:mad:


MAKE MARINES WIN WARS NOT WIN SPELLING BEES AND WRITE NOVELS

MOVE,SHOOT,COMMUNICATE. LIKE THOSE COMMAS DONT YA


OOHRAH SORRY TO USE YOUR THREAD FOR THIS JUST BOTHERING ME

[outlaw3179]

Roger that Echo6 lol... but arent they called nametapes :)

[Phantom Blooper]

but just like range coach said . I remember walking around as a boot and seeing an old Sgt. Major with a fat stack just think "Damn" hes been through some sheeet.

True but nobody asked that old Sgt.Major where he got his ribbons....curious yes...stupid...no.

Semper-Fi! "Never Forget" Chuck Hall:evilgrin:

[BOOGIEMAN44]

When Did They Start Giving Out Ribbons And Medals For Just Making It Out Of Boot? DAMN Boots Haven't Defended Any Thing But There Chow And Get A Ribbon And A Medal For It??? WOW !!!

[Range Coach]

I remember meeting one of the last true Gunners while I was in Okinawa. My jaw dropped when a butter bar told him his ribbons were crooked. The Gunner looked the butter bar square in the face and told him to go f*ck himself. Like you said, curious but not stupid.

[yellowwing]

In '84 I finally asked our Gunny about his Bronze Star. He simply said, "I pulled in a wounded Marine under fire. Some officer witnessed it. Everyone else was doing the same thing most everyday in doing their job."

[greensideout]

Lorix, the current publication of "whatever" regs will hold the answer to your question.

[greensideout]

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The Best Medal Is A Live Man's Smile

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That says it all.:thumbup:

[Lorix]

The ribbon you receive in boot is not for making it through boot, but for what you have signed on to defend. Everyone rates a National Defense ribbon in the eyes of the military these days, don't dog on me, I didn't come up with it, I just wear it and wear it proudly.

[outlaw3179]

lol..curious but stupid ...exactly! A little bit different ...The regimental Sgt. Major walked by a butter bar without even giving him a second look. 2n lt yells at hm " Excuse me Sgt. Major! I believe I rate a salute. Sgt. Major walks back to him and says " Yeah , been where Ive been , do what Ive done , and then come talk to me. Until then how about you salute me Sir!" then walked away. I had only been in the fleet about 33 seconds so I was like "Holy ****" lol...never f with the Sgt. Major ha ha.

[Lorix]

Lesson learned. My SgtMaj would be the same way.