Harrier Dude
Living the dream
I really think that there is a level of misunderstanding on this thread, both in general, and specifically on my posts.
For whatever reason, the older members seem to think that I am criticizing awards from their generation. That couldn't be further from the truth.
In reality, I am defending them. I feel that the "medal factory" mentality that we've fallen into collectively has cheapened the system. So much so, in my personal experience, that I end up looking at the number of SSDRs a guy has (and his rank) before I give any credence to his personal awards.
For our older members: what you may not realize is that there is a new culture of awards now (in my opinion). I don't know how it worked in your day, but now there is an expectation that I don't think existed in your day. Maybe it did. I'd like to hear more about how is was way back when.
Today, people expect an end-of-tour award. They feel screwed if they didn't get one.
People sometimes write up their own awards. Sometimes BEFORE the action occurs. Sometimes they have their subordinates do it for them. People "campaign" for awards. I have personally witnessed this both in the Navy and the Marine Corps.
It is those types of people that my disdain is aimed at. I am not accusing anybody here, specifically or collectively, as being that type if person.
Hopefully this clears up the confusion.
If there are people here that believe that what I wrote above is a legitimate way to get awards, then that's fine with me. If you campaigned for or wrote your own awards, then nothing I say will make you feel any differently. Wear your medals with pride.
For the folks that earned medals in this, or any other conflict, I hope that you feel the way about your medals that I feel about mine. I earned some, I got some handed to me for what I perceive as doing my job, and I know the difference between the two. So do those whose opinion matters to me: my squadronmates, my family, and my friends. Nothing else matters.
For whatever reason, the older members seem to think that I am criticizing awards from their generation. That couldn't be further from the truth.
In reality, I am defending them. I feel that the "medal factory" mentality that we've fallen into collectively has cheapened the system. So much so, in my personal experience, that I end up looking at the number of SSDRs a guy has (and his rank) before I give any credence to his personal awards.
For our older members: what you may not realize is that there is a new culture of awards now (in my opinion). I don't know how it worked in your day, but now there is an expectation that I don't think existed in your day. Maybe it did. I'd like to hear more about how is was way back when.
Today, people expect an end-of-tour award. They feel screwed if they didn't get one.
People sometimes write up their own awards. Sometimes BEFORE the action occurs. Sometimes they have their subordinates do it for them. People "campaign" for awards. I have personally witnessed this both in the Navy and the Marine Corps.
It is those types of people that my disdain is aimed at. I am not accusing anybody here, specifically or collectively, as being that type if person.
Hopefully this clears up the confusion.
If there are people here that believe that what I wrote above is a legitimate way to get awards, then that's fine with me. If you campaigned for or wrote your own awards, then nothing I say will make you feel any differently. Wear your medals with pride.
For the folks that earned medals in this, or any other conflict, I hope that you feel the way about your medals that I feel about mine. I earned some, I got some handed to me for what I perceive as doing my job, and I know the difference between the two. So do those whose opinion matters to me: my squadronmates, my family, and my friends. Nothing else matters.
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