Good Conduct Medal

[Eric Hood]

Fellow Leathernecks!
Allow me a question, propably posed many times here,-Does a Marine have to have a full three years to rate a Good Conduct Medal? If you did a three year enlistment and got out, do you rate the medal?
Semper Fi,
Eric:usmc:

[ZSKI]

I believe you rate it on your third aniversary date

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Yes, you'd rate a GCM if you did 3 years. Even if you went on terminal leave prior to reaching your '3', you rate the GCM, as long as you have an Honorable Discharge.

[Eric Hood]

Sgt. Leprechraun,
Me Irish mate, how do I obtaim me medal?
Yours,
Eric:evilgrin:

P.S.-May you be in heaven a half hour, before the devils knows you are dead.

[Petz]

no you don't if it's 3 years... you have to have 4! 3rd annaversay date means the 4th year... if you joined may 2nd this year... next year on may 2nd is your first annaversary... and so on... so your 4th year or when you EAS... yup, sorry haus.

[Echo_Four_Bravo]

Not true. If he joined on 1/1/1990 on 1/1/1991 he would be at year one. On 1/1/1992 he would be at year two. Then on 1/1/1993 he would have his third anniversary and be awarded the Good Conduct Medal on the same day he EASed.

If what you are saying were true, every Marine I know with a Good Conduct Medal (including myself) got it a year too early... and everyone that only did four years would not have the presentation in formation, like we had to do so often.

[ggyoung]

When you start your 4th year you get the GCM. I joined in 1964, in 1967 I got my 1st GCM.

[sscjoe]

Agree, joined Dec 75 and much to my suprised was awarded, in formation 12/78

[Buckeye]

Who Cares....just Do Your Job!!! Are You Tryin To Impress Somebody? You Get It,when You Get It! Besides It Takes Alittle Time Even When The Date Has Past!

[Echo_Four_Bravo]

Buckeye, Cpl Hood is 47 years old. I have to assume that the date for his passed many moons ago.

[Buckeye]

My Apologies!!!

[Eric Hood]

Thanks fellow Marines. I am more confused than usual. So, I don't rate it? I still rate the EGA, that's the real reward-OOH-RAH!
Semper Fi,
Eric:usmc:

[cpl liz]

Check your dd214. It should show any medals you are entitled to. I was in for 3 & got it.

[egbutler1]

I joined up shipped out july 22nd 2002 and was awarded my GCM on Aug 1st 2005. So 3 Years of Active service you rate it, that is if you didn't get NJP'ed at all, if you did get NJP'ed for anything...

[Echo_Four_Bravo]

You do rate it. If it isn't on your DD214 you need to apply for the correction before it will be on your records though.

As far as where to get it, I'd try Grit's- I'd be shocked if he can't hook you up.

[Eric Hood]

Thanks. It is on my DD-214. There is a reference: "Book 10, page 87". This is written next to the "Good Conduct Medal".
There is another reference in the same box;" Good Conduct commences 810829. This is one day shy of my three years. I entered on 30Aug78. If I do rate it, can I get the warrant or whatever the paper is called?
Thanks for all your input,
Semper Fi,
Eric

[Petz]

well if you do rate it, then yes... I thought this was current MCO... back then I'm unawares of the MCOs... if your dd-214 says so then you can probably get it from the recruiters office... they can have their admin do it, or they'll tell you where you have to call.

[Eric Hood]

I will be on Quantico on Thursday, can someone there help me? I can also talk to the local recruiter--Newton, NJ. You don't know what those book and page references are?
Thanks,
Eric:usmc:

[Petz]

just bring your DD-214 that should be sufficient...

[Quinbo]

It may have changed but it used to be that you still recieved the good conduct if you had no more that one office hours during that 3 year time span. It is 3 years and if you had a 3 x 3 contract and completed it then you rate a good conduct medal.

[ZSKI]

You do rate it. If it isn't on your DD214 you need to apply for the correction before it will be on your records though.

As far as where to get it, I'd try Grit's- I'd be shocked if he can't hook you up.

You first one is free, if you rate one you can apply to get one sent to you

[Echo_Four_Bravo]

That is true- the first one is free. But not living close any base, it would be difficult to make that happen for me. So I was thinking just buying it would be a good plan of attack. That is what I would do.

[Native Warrior]

You can submit a request to Military Records requesting a replacement and they will sent the first replacement one at no charge. I did this for several of mine that was destroyed or lost.

[Eric Hood]

Thanks. I was on the base and went to the museum. It was worth every second of the six hours in the car. I will go back. Who do I send the paper work to? I have waited 27 years, a couple of months won't harm me.
Semper Fi,
Eric :usmc:

[jerryd6818]

Thanks. I was on the base and went to the museum. It was worth every second of the six hours in the car. I will go back. Who do I send the paper work to? I have waited 27 years, a couple of months won't harm me.
Semper Fi,
Eric :usmc:

Read this:
http://www.citationexpress.com/DD214,%20201%20Personnel%20File,%20Military%20Medi cal%20Records.htm

Download and print: SF-180 (http://home.comcast.net/~jerryd6818/standard-form-180.pdf)

Fill out: SF-180 (for an update to your medals, ribbons and awards, specify "Update my medals, ribbons and awards" )

Attach: Copy of your DD-214

Mail to: Navy Personnel Command (PERS-312D2) 9700 Page Ave.; Rm.5409, St. Louis, MO 63132.

Wait: 12 - 18 Months

[Eric Hood]

Thanks. Will do.
Eric:marine:

[drivett332]

You also could rate GCM for one yrs service during time of war.

[Sgt Leprechaun]

ONLY during WWI was that done.

[drivett332]

I think if you dig a little furture you will find out it was also WWII as well but I was just putting out the information out there. You could also be awarded the GCM if you died in combat before your three yr enlistmen was up.

[SBYates]

https://www.manpower.usmc.mil/portal/page/portal/M_RA_HOME/MM/MA/Replacement

I believe you can use this to get what you need. Yut!

http://signatures.myarmedforces.com/images/14/32675/military_signature.png?1327568218 (http://profile.myarmedforces.com/index.php?action=profile&profileID=32675#)

[Ttomes]

OK, how about this scenario:
Enlisted for 3 years but Medically Retired due to wounds received in VietNam after only 2 years. Do I qualify for the GCM?

[ChuckH]

No

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Sadly, no.