Can some ribbon racks be over the top, or is more always better?

When I was an E-1 we, my fellow Airmen & I, looked at our senior leaders with a great deal of respect. When it came time to put on our service dress we wanted to see ALL of their awards/ribbons. This generated conversations, "war stories" were shared and many times great mentoring moments emerged that I still rely on today. I assure you that young troops look to this Chief for guidance and leadership, he's been there done that (as documented by that rack) and they want to learn how from one of the best.

Good God! After 12 years of service, I didn't even have as many as his rows of 3!!! I count 42 ribbons with multiple devices. I am really sad I got out without that Antarctic Service Medal...that's the one I had my sights set on!

He earned the honor of wearing them, so he should be able wear them without anyone asking if it's "too much". Some career fields (normally combat focused ones) are positioned to receive more medals and decorations than others. Along with that, they have more than likely sacrificed more time away from their home and family than many have and deployed to places that weren't quite as nice as Balad, Bagram and Al Udeid. The question that should be asked is if too little is, well too little. By that I mean, if you're a 15 year E-6 with only 1 or 2 medals (or none as I have seen one or two of those), you may want to consider what you're not doing, because you're behind the curve on points.

As some people pointed out, if the Air Force went back to service stripes, and moved unit decorations to the other side like all of the other services even deserving racks wouldn't look quite so unrealistic.

Honestly if Chief Mazzone was names a CMSgtAF I wouldn't be surprised.

He is a testament to "Excellence in all we do" Check out the following:

Basic Training Honor Graduate
Distinguished Graduate and Military Citizenship Award, Airman Leadership School
USAF General Robert “Dutch” Huyser Award
USAF Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award
Distinguished Graduate, Noncommissioned Officer’s Academy
USSOCOM SSgt Henry “Red” Erwin Award – Enlisted Aircrew Member of the Year
Joint Special Operations Command Air Force SNCO of the Year
Distinguished Graduate and Communications Excellence Award, USN Senior Enlisted Academy

He is consistently recognized in the top 10% or less of every PME class he has been in and won SNCO of the year awards in Joint commands that do include all types of special operators... As an E9 he is already in the company of only 1% of all enlisted, and he is clearly the cream of the crop in that group too, knowing what I have heard of him, as well as what is awards and decorations say about him.

Read his Bio. I worked directly for Chief Mazzone for awhile when I was assigned to the CRW at Travis, and if you read his Bio that will explain his ribbon rack. He's actually a really humble and gracious guy...if you get an opportunity to interact with him, or pick his brain about his career, it will be worth your time. He's the best mentor I've had in my career.
"The majority of his career has been spent in the special operations and contingency response communities"- Directly from his Barksdale Bio.

disregard this post as I made a sarcastic comment to original poster before reading ALL threads.
my apologies

I have known Chief Mazzone for over 15 years. He is a hell of an Airman.

In my opinion, it looks photo shopped.

I have served under Chief Mazzone. Trust me........he has been there and done that, and all of those I can promise are authorized. While I agree that it looks silly to the point of cartoonish and also comes off as egotistic...... currently there is no choice as to how you wear them. I only had 27 when I retired and didn't like wearing them all either.

If you earn them, wear them. although he may have to get a badge that says "see other side" if he gets anymore

Is this the photo of a "YES" man?