Posted on 04/25/2016 7:36:14 AM PDT by glorgau
Not bad for an army that has not been in pitched battle since 1953.
Its kinda like the Russians and the French. I remember getting a tutti fruity ribbon. WTF was it for, a LGBT toleration award? I remember Eisenhower had about 5-6 ribbons, same goes for Bradley and probably Hodges, and Patton. But you have to realize that many are campaign ribbons. We had quite a few of those. I can see keeping the Valor, exceptional service, and campaign ribbons.
Gen. LeMay has the Berlin Airlift clasp in that photo. He must have played a key role.
Wonder what ol’ Curtis would think of our current crop of PC perfumed princes who wear stars? They probably think he was a real warmonger for believing that the purpose of bombers is to bomb the s*** out of the enemy until there’s nothing left.
exactly
I know of a couple who joined only to get their freebies and when my son joined the marines he said a bunch of kids at the school only joined to get their free college and then took easy jobs.
If I had my way then only those in combat units or have seen combat on the ground should get 100% benefits and those pushing pens for just 4 years while never being in danger only get 50% or similar.
LeMay was commander of USAF Europe during the time of the Berlin Airlift.
“Moronica for Morons”
The odd thing, which I think will surprise most civilians, is that most in the military could not correctly identify half of the ribbons the generals wear.
I’m sure in places where class A’s are the norm (Pentagon), people get used to identifying them - but as you point out, most only deal with this when its time to get a photo taken.
And when it comes to order of precedence, well even fewer people know that - mostly people on promotion boards and workers at Korean laundry mats near post.
I agree. I served in active Army, Army National Guard, and Air National Guard. I retired from the Air Guard after 21 years total service.
Because I was in both the Army branch and Air Force branch, my ribbon rack looks like an old soviet general’s. There’s really only about 5 or so ribbons I’m proud of. I’ve kicked around the idea of getting a thin ribbon rack with just the important ones, but I really have no reason to wear them.
What I’m most proud of is my German Schutzenschnur in gold, and my Air Force Distinguished Rifleman’s badge #300. My DRB was the 300th given out by the Air Force since they broke away from the Army.
In 1945...there were about 14 million Americans in the military. Today, it's just over 2 million, including reserves. Yet the number of flag rank officers today is THREE times what it was in WW II. hat's a massive..well, call it "rank inflation"..and remember, each flag rank gets a whole staff...
Today’s version of military “heroes” are a joke when looking at their ribbons.
Just for being deployed they get one.
You’d think they were braver than our WWI and Civil War officers.
There are six different decorations for polishing a chair with your butt.
I can attest to this. When I deployed to Iraq people were awarded ribbons/medals based on their duty position. All the Plt Sgts and Plt Ldrs were given bronze star medals. Of course there were no “Combat V” devices on them. But average people only see the Bronze Star Medal.
Just for being deployed they get one.
The Army also gives PCS awards. Just being transferred to another unit people are given an award from the unit they are leaving.
Ridiculous on so many levels.
We’ve become a rewarding participation culture!
Several times throughout my 26 years of service I have been asked to write my own award. I always refused stating that if someone believes I deserve an award they can write it.
I’ve also been told to write my own NCOER (NCO Evaluation Report) on numerous occasions.
Some guys earn them while others...
Chesty Puller earned his.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesty_Puller
lacrew wrote: “The odd thing, which I think will surprise most civilians, is that most in the military could not correctly identify half of the ribbons the generals wear.”
Neither could half the generals identify all their medals.
I was surprised by the medals my Bde S1 told me to wear.
I missed the comraderie of the service when I got out, but I sure didn’t miss the political bs.
most accurate post on here this year. loved being with the pals, loved doing something different every day nearly, loved the adrenaline , hated , really hated the B/S though.
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