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Snakeman, basically it has to be 'non training' Active duty. Recruit Training, MOS school, etc, typically doesn't count.

Aye. Well said.

The regs are actually interesting on this particular issue, Cuba. Basically you have a choice:

Wear them all.
Wear the first three earned.
Wear none.

Usually you only see senior officers...

Pocatello, you rate both the NDSM, and, IIRC, EITHER the Expeditionary medal OR the Marine Corps Expeditionary. Those two, at one time, were an 'either/or' type of deal. Now, because this was a...

Correct. NDSM is by date alone. It cannot be awarded for operations, etc. Originally it was designed for Korea.

I got it twice :)

1 medal, 1 award sir. Your period encompasses only 1 'award period'.

I'm one of 'em. I went 'terminal' on 23 September with about that many as well. And the NDSM (2nd award) is on my DD-214, as is the GWOTSM. I figure the latter is the only award I'll get for being...

Yes, to answer Squishy's question. And that works with any other unit awards as well. For example, if the time period for a unit award (or even the NDSM) begins on 11 Sept 2001, and ends, say, on 9...

True. I try not to be an azzhole out of the chute, cause I hate that crap for the most part when I'm new on a site...but still....dammmmit, rules are rules....

Is it just ME? Am I being a 'grammar Nazi'??

Thanks, Gunny. (I rate a star on my NDSM for that reason).

I have difficulty understanding your question (due in part to horrible grammar and disjointed sentences).

You say you served in the Army for enough time to get the NDSM. Now you are a Marine. ...

THAT is cool. Not too many of you folks around to be sure.

You need to fill out your profile.

You guys see what I have, but that's for service in 3 different branches since 1982. (Minus the gay rainbow ribbon and army NCO school, and Air Force 'longevity' ribbon, which they use instead of...

Quite likely, yeah. It happens. You can check with your admin section to try and get it fixed.

It's been a common complaint from Marines since at least the 1980's.

Look at it this way, you'll EARN your ribbons and medals through every drop of sweat, strain, blood and tears. You may not...

I do happen to agree with you. When I got out the first time in 1989, I had 4 ribbons (and one of them was from the Air Force!) after 2 WestPac's and multiple other deployments.

After doing just...

Honestly, I'm not sure. The NDSM was originally done for the Korean callup (lots of WWII vets brought back and civilians drafted). It was brought back again for Vietnam, but pretty much...

To answer the question: "Why do they call it 'the pizza stain'?"

Because the ribbon of the medal when worn on the uniform has a distinctive coloring. When it's the only ribbon worn it looks...

Ah ha! Now that makes some sense. Obviously the rules have changed since the last time the NDSM was awarded.

Thanks for clearing that one up Lt.

Dave:

Nice to see confirmation that it was, in fact, done that way.

I think we need to hear from a current reservist to find out if it still is, or not. I've seen current Air...

Dave;

Technically you are correct, the NDSM shouldn't be awarded to reservists only on AcDu for 'training'. But, I'll bet you that it's awarded to everyone who goes to recruit training upon...

http://www.homeofheroes.com/medals/images_wh/wh_24.jpg

Here is the criteria for the National Defense Service Medal. Called "The firewatch medal" by Vietnam era veterans, "The pizza stain" by Desert Storm era veterans.

One of the most common medals...