It all depends on how you define "beyond the call of duty".  The way I look at it, I have a solemn duty to my country, my brethren, and myself to do whatever it takes to accomplish the mission and protect my nation and my fellow soldiers along with my objective.

ANYTHING that I do in the course of fulfilling that objective is within the scope of my duty.  Circumstance is what seperates soldiers, at least the good ones who wish to fulfill their duties.  That is how I see it.

Let's assume that there is a quantifiable way of determining what a soldier will do in combat.  We all know this not to be true, but let's assume for the sake of argument.

If any two soldiers are capable of heroic or valorous actions given the proper circumstance, then the only thing seperating the two is opportunity.

Likewise, if any two soldiers are subject to deployment, and one goes and the other does not, circumstance is the only thing seperating the two.  That is of course, assuming that both would go and serve with honor.

I met a Vietnam Vet Purple Heart recipient at work today and as he put it himself, it doesn't take much to get shot.  You just have to be at the wrong place at the right time.

Circumstance.

That's my point.  It is in no way a slight to those who have earned medals for valor or wounds.  However, it is a slight to say that the awards given for campaigns are not earned in most instances.

In the military world, we get rewarded with medals and ribbons.

Just like in the civilian world, sometimes the wrong people get the rewards.

I don't think anyone is trying to award two medals, with the opening and closing of the dates on each, and the 30 consecutive or 60 nonsconsecutive days there should not be to many who are awarded both. Medals and ribbons are as deserving or undeserving as the people who award them. You know what you did, you know if you deserve it. The criteria is as flexible as the people who write the awards. If you meet the criteria for an award, wear it, you earned it.  The way it has been going for the reserve forces, they have been spending time in theater, then on to disaster relief, and more time away from home, helping people. The life of the reservist is not one many people would equate to what it was 10 or even 5 years ago.  The award system is fine, as with everything, its the people who abuse the system that make it seem wrong. 

I take it you don't believe we should be awarding Korean Defense Service Medals then?

Correct. But it is only my point of view. I belong to the 1st Cav Assoc. They are pushing everyone who served in Korea after 1955 to get the Medal. That equates to thousands, probably hundreds of thousands of Military Personnel, in other words every other swinging Richard can get one. The requirements for the Medal are a joke, 90 days continuous Service in any capacity. give me a break.  I do not feel I deserve a medal just because I served in Korea and did my job. However, I support and encourage anyone who wants the Medal to go for it. Had they awarded the Medal in 1961 when I left Korea, perhaps, but for the DOD to wait 45 years after the end of the Korean War to decide everyone who served after, deserves a medal, I don't think so. The KDSM is a token Medal in my opinion.

RJ - SCOUTS OUT!

A fact discovered long ago by Napoleon Bonaparte...

"A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon." - Napoleon

Umm... what was the original subject again? I seem to have been drawn off topic.

 

"The degenerative and loony should never be denigrated but, rather, thanked. In their absence, the rest of you would be obliged to fill congressional seats... positions naturally unsavory to the sane and honorable."

Thorax

I dont know, seems like your National Defense Ribbon covers work at home, was there an Hurricane Andrew award? This does get a little silly. Its like staying at home with your own kids and calling it BABYSITTING... you're doing your job as a parent, no special compensation or recognition, it just IS.

I dont mean to stomp anyone's award, I just think that if things continue all the troops will look like Russian Generals (or Mortarman)

Is this the one for 50 years of being over there?

I think if you're going to call it a DEFENSE service medal than something should have been defended... sitting on the DMZ with a pair of BINOCs doesnt really sound like defense to me unless we are to believe that without our presense, North Korea would just haul ass south and the south koreans would get run down.

Guess my opposition to this one isnt about OUR troops as much as lazy ole South Korea. I find it almost completely idiotic that liberals are screaming that we've been in Iraq and Afghanistan too long and that we should have set them up and head home yet I dont hear anyone complaining that we spend billions to park our ass in Korea for 50 years. I think if the SK's cant raise a military force and ability to defend thier own nation then I seriously think they should rethink thier right to have one.

So.. is there an award for being in Germany? Sinai UN duty?

Yep - There's a medal for MFO duty in the Sinai.  It's the MFO Medal: