Do we strive to celebrate mediocrity?

2015-08-20T00:03:37-04:00

First we unveil the new PRT standards which may include a ribbon or a medal in the future. Now a ribbon for boot camp performance?

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Boot camp's top graduates are about to get a new ribbon.

Every sailor graduating from Navy Recruit Training receives the National Defense Service Ribbon. As many as three percent of each weekly graduating class will now earn an additional uniform ribbon: the new Navy Basic Military Training Honor Graduate ribbon.

"RTC recognizes multiple top performing recruits at graduation, but now the recognition is outwardly visible on an honoree's uniform," said Rear Adm. Stephen C. Evans in a statement. Evans commands Navy Service Training Command, which oversees all Navy officer and enlisted accession training except for the Naval Academy. "Wearing of the Honor Grad Ribbon will be a visible sign to peers and superiors at the recipient's future duty stations that the member demonstrated extraordinary excellence and leadership potential during Basic Military Training and is capable of accelerated and increased leadership positions within the Fleet."

The award is effective immediately. The first 15 honor grads will be awarded their ribbons Aug. 20 and can wear them when they graduate on Aug 21.

If you were a past honor graduate, don’t go out and buy one — there are no retroactive awards.

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus approved the award Aug. 18, details of which were released in ALNAV message 063/15.

According to a press release, the award was created “to reward recruits for their superb performance during basic military training,” the release said. “The Honor Graduate Ribbon will provide a physical recognition of the sailor’s outstanding achievements in academics, physical fitness, recruit leadership and commitment to the Navy core values of honor, courage and commitment.”

According to the rules, no more than three percent of the graduates from each weekly training group will get the honor grad nod.

The ribbon will rank 83rd in the Navy's award order of precedence, just below the Navy Ceremonial Guard Ribbon and above the Coast Guard Special Operations Ribbon. For comparison, the National Defense Service Ribbon ranks 62nd on that list.

http://www.navytimes.com/story/military/careers/navy/2015/08/19/new-ribbon-unveiled-navy-boot-camps-best-honor-graduate/32013881/

New ribbon unveiled for Navy boot camp's best

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus approved the Recruit Honor Graduate ribbon for top boot camp graduates.

Response by MSgt Niclas Svensson made Aug 20 at 2015 12:08 AM

2015-08-20T00:08:53-04:00

Air Force and Coast Guard already had one, so it's not like it's a new concept. We also have Basic Training Graduate ribbons...at least the Honor Graduate ribbon shows that you did something above and beyond just participating.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Aug 20 at 2015 12:09 AM

2015-08-20T00:09:20-04:00

I certainly hoe not LT Private RallyPoint Member. A ribbon for completing boot camp seems to setting an extremely low bar.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 12:10 AM

2015-08-20T00:10:10-04:00

Wow, a ribbon for graduating at the top of your class in boot camp. I can see gettting recognized for your accomplishments, but a ribbon?

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 12:10 AM

2015-08-20T00:10:33-04:00

Looks like they're trying to keep up with the Air Force for ribbon counts.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Aug 20 at 2015 12:25 AM

2015-08-20T00:25:59-04:00

It seems like today there is a ribbon or medal for just about everything and the standards have been drastically lowered for some of the old ones. I guess that it is good for someone's morale but it sort of makes the awards a joke.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 12:26 AM

2015-08-20T00:26:34-04:00

We now give every kid in sports a trophy just for showing up. Television channel line-ups are dominated by Reality TV. This country defines mediocrity.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 12:26 AM

2015-08-20T00:26:57-04:00

I disagree with it all but I actually do understand what some are saying (jokingly) about ribbon counts. Despite having individual ribbons it does make sense to at least have equivalency. It is already significantly easier to get some awards that are supposedly equal in different services. I've showed up to some joint tours to meet people with half the time in and half as many deployments that have more ribbons. It doesn't personally bother me but I do get it.

Response by PO2 Alfredo Pacheco made Aug 20 at 2015 12:38 AM

2015-08-20T00:38:46-04:00

This reminds me of when I went through basic a Great Lakes. I got to RTC in the middle of Aug. '01. A few weeks in, we were told that a new standard was coming out. Too many recruits were complaining that they were getting blisters and foot problems from the boots they wore. SO, the new regulation came about that sneakers were to be used until P-days were over ( I think week 5 or something). Our RDC asked us if we wanted to follow that......We all said HELL NO. Mind you this was an integrated division so even the females weren't buying it. This was also before Great Lakes did it's massive renovation. I was in the old school ships, way in the back.

I swear, a few years later, we had some new check-ins to our command state that they could now say "training time out" in boot camp if they were pushed to far? I never had the chance to verify this.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Aug 20 at 2015 12:40 AM

2015-08-20T00:40:17-04:00

Yes!!! Trophies for everyone!!!! Or... How about a certificate, a coin, hand shake and a pat on the back. I know, The Army can hardly talk with the Army Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Service Medal, etc... But, this also appears that the USN wants to be like the USAF where an E-3 fresh out of training has several rows of ribbons.

Response by CPO Greg Frazho made Aug 20 at 2015 12:47 AM

2015-08-20T00:47:32-04:00

It makes you wonder, doesn't it? Whatever happened to the honor of good service and faithful execution being its own reward? Gone with the wind, I'm afraid. We don't need any more ribbons and medals than we already have. To the contrary, we probably need to eliminate some of the ones we do have, not add to an already bloated system of public recognition. What's next? A ribbon for graduating top of your class at A school? Or do you get a 5/16" bronze star in lieu of second award for that? When I was in, the honor grad got this: the status at the top of the graduation program and his or her choice of orders. That was it. WTF, over??!!

Response by CPT Russell Pitre made Aug 20 at 2015 2:06 AM

2015-08-20T02:06:21-04:00

Yes we should. You should get a ribbon for showing up. A combat medal if thought about Iraq. Promote those that tell you know they know enough. That is what is going on now a days.

If you tell someone you are not awesome they get offended. If you tell someone that was never in Iraq anything but an Iraqi Vet they will try to call you out. It is all over the military. If we had civilian manages in some of those positions we would have fired a good portion of the military.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 2:36 AM

2015-08-20T02:36:01-04:00

The army does the some of the say were we get awards for just being there. Right now you can get the GWOT service, National Defense, and Army service member for just being in a unit. I think it took me a couple of years to get there awards but that was before the wars started. Peace time army didn't really had out awards as much.

Response by COL Ted Mc made Aug 20 at 2015 2:54 AM

2015-08-20T02:54:29-04:00

LT Private RallyPoint Member - Lieutenant; I always thought that the fact that you were still on base and wearing the uniform indicated that you had actually passed Basic.

However, this decoration indicates that the holder was THE BEST in their Boot Camp group so I don't have the same problem with it that I have with the USAF "I kept breathing all the way through bood camp.", "I brush my teeth daily.", "I can find my way to the AFX without asking directions 5 out of 7 times", "I know how to operate the air conditioner", "I had a blank spot on my uniform so they gave me this to cover it up", and assorted similar decorations.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Aug 20 at 2015 4:45 AM

2015-08-20T04:45:46-04:00

LT Private RallyPoint Member it's important to remember that Army, Air Force and Coast Guard already have an equivalent ribbon. I don't think this is honoring mediocrity - I think it is to honor those who do extremely well...

I wish the ribbon were retroactive - I was a Boot Camp honor grad back in 1979...

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Aug 20 at 2015 6:06 AM

2015-08-20T06:06:16-04:00

A ribbon for being the honor grad in boot camp. They used to give the honor man a promotion to PFC and a set of dress blues and that would be about it. A ribbon to wear the rest of your career for an "accomplishment" in boot camp seems a bit much. Of course a ribbon for completing boot camp is lowest common denominator thinking too. If everyone gets a ribbon/medal, no one gets a ribbon/medal. If everyone can get it, it isn't worth having.

Response by CPO Joseph Grant made Aug 20 at 2015 7:56 AM

2015-08-20T07:56:05-04:00

Wouldn't it be easier to just put all the ribbons and medals into a bag, shake it, and start handing them out.

Response by Cpl Tou Lee Yang made Aug 20 at 2015 7:57 AM

2015-08-20T07:57:30-04:00

They have to decorate their personnel with pretty colors on their chest.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Aug 20 at 2015 8:04 AM

2015-08-20T08:04:36-04:00

After reading the article it seems more than just a have to be there type of award. It's a ribbon given to the top performer within the graduation class. Do I fully agree with, no but I see it more than just a participation award. As CPT Private RallyPoint Member pointed out, in the Army, new recruits are given three ribbons right from the start. I'm not saying we should stop issuing awards such as ribbons for different accomplishments but I think it puts us on a slippery slope as we have seen with children sports. Service Members should not go in expecting any sort of award and if you do something like graduate at the top of your class why not give them a coin or command letter or COA. If we continue to just issue new ribbons for issuing new ribbons, we will soon look like these guys in the picture.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Aug 20 at 2015 8:33 AM

2015-08-20T08:33:51-04:00

It's like a trophy for participating!

Response by SFC Douglas Duckett made Aug 20 at 2015 8:55 AM

2015-08-20T08:55:49-04:00

Why can't we just hold hands and sing Kumbaya.
http://thedailyhatch.org/2014/05/28/the-mysterious-history-of-the-song-kumbaya/

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 20 at 2015 9:20 AM

2015-08-20T09:20:22-04:00

It's like an honor graduate the Air Force has. I guess it's ok but it should be a very low ranking ribbon

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 9:21 AM

2015-08-20T09:21:54-04:00

It should be retroactive if they are gonna do it. I think it is a good idea. They should also make a device to wear on your professional development ribbons for honor grad. I was never that guy, so I'm not looking for shiny objects.

Response by PO2 Mark Saffell made Aug 20 at 2015 9:42 AM

2015-08-20T09:42:22-04:00

I was in Company 223D in Orlando in 1976. We all should get it if anyone does.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 9:49 AM

2015-08-20T09:49:43-04:00

In my opinion, yes it is.

edit: was trying to respond to a question as it was consolidated.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 9:52 AM

2015-08-20T09:52:19-04:00

In my opinion, yes it is.

edit: was trying to respond to a question as it was consolidated.

Response by LTJG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 9:59 AM

2015-08-20T09:59:58-04:00

It's only for the Honor Grad. I'd feel differently if it was a ribbon for every single person who completed boot camp.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Aug 20 at 2015 10:07 AM

2015-08-20T10:07:06-04:00

Love the new term. guess that is because I am somewhat of an environmentalist that I only got five in 21 years. If you want awards, get into combat units and earn them. JMHO

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 20 at 2015 10:37 AM

2015-08-20T10:37:19-04:00

Our pubic schools do that with their, "No child left behind campaign."

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Aug 20 at 2015 11:49 AM

2015-08-20T11:49:28-04:00

This is the third thread on this ribbon...

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 11:54 AM

2015-08-20T11:54:38-04:00

Where's my participation ribbon? No, at first I saw this and honestly thought we were about to start handing out chest candy for getting through Navy BMT, but was then relieved to learn it was actually for something that I never personally achieved. So honestly, props to the first batch of Recruits-turning-Sailors to earn this ribbon. You accomplished more in two months than I did, unless you don't have your 9mm Pistol Qual Sharpshooter ribbon. In that case, get out a my face!

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 1:47 PM

2015-08-20T13:47:42-04:00

Posted response twice

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 1:49 PM

2015-08-20T13:49:41-04:00

I've seen NAMs awarded for less.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 1:55 PM

2015-08-20T13:55:27-04:00

A Certificate and chance to meritoriously advance doesn't suffice anymore? This has the potential to create problems when joining the fleet such as an "more pronounced entitlement attitude." Don't get me wrong, I am a full supporter for celebrating hard work but that is what the certificates were/are for. I am at a loss for any more words.

Let me clarify, I am not completely against this by any means. I know a few other services do this but awards for awards sake don't really matter in the long run. Navy Boot camp is about breaking people down and building up Sailors. It's really how you cope with the stress that makes you shine. There is some professional development in boot camp but it is small compared to follow on schools and actual roles in the fleet.

Response by CDR Laurel Meadows made Aug 20 at 2015 2:13 PM

2015-08-20T14:13:57-04:00

Why do I get the feeling that the wearer will be pretty embarrassed in a few years?

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 2:24 PM

2015-08-20T14:24:53-04:00

Air force already does this

Response by PO1 Christopher Yancey made Aug 20 at 2015 3:25 PM

2015-08-20T15:25:03-04:00

It started going down hill when they made WARFARE devices mandatory........it really took away from those of us that busted our butts to get Qualified.........because after it became mandatory it became a joke. Lucky to be retired, I don't understand the canoe club anymore.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 3:28 PM

2015-08-20T15:28:25-04:00

back in my day we all still got our spaetti spot (National Defense) for Desert Storm. All the kids after DS ND ended complained about not getting anything out of boot camp. Personally I think they should be earned.

Response by PO1 Donald Hammond made Aug 20 at 2015 3:42 PM

2015-08-20T15:42:05-04:00

Bull pucky.

Response by SGT Robert Zuniga made Aug 20 at 2015 3:45 PM

2015-08-20T15:45:29-04:00

Response by CDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 4:41 PM

2015-08-20T16:41:16-04:00

Awards and campaign ribbons are meant to tell the story of your career, in the Navy your warfare device is vastly more important than our ribbons day-to-day, some awards carry promotion points for junior enlisted personnel. Just another ribbon to tell the story of your career, when I enlisted, I didn't have a single ribbon for over a year, normal for those days.

Response by CDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 4:47 PM

2015-08-20T16:47:03-04:00

Response by CDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 4:47 PM

2015-08-20T16:47:11-04:00

Response by PO1 Billy Williams made Aug 20 at 2015 5:50 PM

2015-08-20T17:50:42-04:00

Response by PO1 Jason Taylor made Aug 20 at 2015 8:36 PM

2015-08-20T20:36:51-04:00

Yes!

Response by PO1 Glenn Boucher made Aug 20 at 2015 8:43 PM

2015-08-20T20:43:32-04:00

Top recruits to be awarded a ribbon, hmm, how about meritorious advancement to E-2, I would take that over a friggin ribbon any day of the week.

Response by LTJG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 9:29 PM

2015-08-20T21:29:54-04:00

I don't have a problem with this. If the recruit busted their ass and came out first in their division then they should be recognized. If you want to talk about useless chest candy, take a look at the good conduct medal. It literally is the "congrats you didn't screw up" medal. Maybe that is one of the reasons why it is no longer used to tally award points for advancement.

Response by LTJG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 9:31 PM

2015-08-20T21:31:29-04:00

Response by PO2 Terri Myre made Aug 20 at 2015 10:23 PM

2015-08-20T22:23:05-04:00

Seems as though they give ribbons away like they're candy anymore. So much for stellar work ethic.

Response by Maj Tim Rogers made Aug 20 at 2015 11:28 PM

2015-08-20T23:28:51-04:00

The import of what a recruit did a basic training can best be explained by Agent K from "Men In Black": It "means precisely DICK!"

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 11:34 PM

2015-08-20T23:34:00-04:00

The AF has had this one for a while.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Aug 21 at 2015 2:03 AM

2015-08-21T02:03:38-04:00

So recruits can now get up to 5 ribbons I believe?
This "Recruit Honor Graduate" thingamajig, National Defense Service Medal, GWOT Service Medal, Rifle Marksmanship ribbon/medal, and Pistol Marksmanship ribbon/medal?

WOW... I wish I were going through Boot Camp right now! NOT! :)

Response by PO1 Matthew Murdock made Aug 21 at 2015 7:06 AM

2015-08-21T07:06:54-04:00

Why not. If they bust their butt in boot camp and get honor grad give them a ribbon. Now the question is it worth 2 points??

Response by PO1 Michael Garrett made Aug 21 at 2015 11:39 AM

2015-08-21T11:39:13-04:00

Yes. We are dumbing down achievement. We are cheapening the awards of valor. We reward average accomplishment and are teaching new generations of our military that it is ok to be mediocre. I wrote that previous story to show this very point. I met a REAL hero who had accomplished much in his career. The only thing he wanted from it was to go home.
Completing basic training or boot-camp just means that they can do the bare minimum in their branch of service. Whether or not they graduate top of their class is irrelevant.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2015 3:50 PM

2015-08-21T15:50:12-04:00

Ribbons for everyone where are the participation awards. These things are utter bs.

Response by PO1 Michael G. made Aug 21 at 2015 6:05 PM

2015-08-21T18:05:23-04:00

The thing that doesn't sit well with me over this whole topic is that I have always believed that personal awards ought to be for sustained superior performance. I just don't think that the eight weeks of boot camp are enough of a basis to really demonstrate the 'sustained' part. To that end, I know someone from my high school who enlisted and did earn Honor Grad, but who I also found out was later discharged for shoplifting from the NEX less than a year later.

I guess my point is that to give someone an award that they wear for the rest of their career based on a very short period of their career seems a little off-kilter to me.

Response by SPC George Rudenko made Aug 21 at 2015 6:33 PM

2015-08-21T18:33:27-04:00

Social promotion, social award, social standard.... social vomit. We don't need awards for everything.

Response by SN Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2015 11:00 PM

2015-08-21T23:00:47-04:00

As a still relitivley newcomer to the millitary, hitting my one year mark next month, to be honest, it does seem a little over the top to be using a ribbon for bootcamp achievements. I've seen and personally known a few honor grad.'s who, after bootcamp, have a taken a "fall from grace", and I believe it is your service after bootcamp that should be recognized. I was not an honor graduate from bootcamp, but the way I see it, bootcamp nowadays to me was more like a "congrats you made it" type deal. Giving the fact that the standards for the millitary have been dropping ever so slightly in recent years, as well as changes to bootcamp which if I'm to be honest, were quite apalling. I will probabbly not be the first to say this, but bootcamp was a joke. Yes, I learned valuable skills that I will carry with me into the fleet, however bootcamp itself was mediocre.
To give someone a ribbon for putting above the "bare minimum" that bootcamp required doesnt exactly appeal to me.
I'm not trying to down talk the fact that someone actually put forth more effort than the usual recruit, however, I do beleive they are "up-playing" this a bit much. Does anyone else agree?

Response by SN Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2015 11:02 PM

2015-08-21T23:02:15-04:00

yes, or rather recognize something that is not much more than giving the "bare minimum" above the "bare minimum"

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2015 9:02 AM

2015-08-22T09:02:54-04:00

We need to recognize our unique snowflakes! *sarcasm*

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Aug 22 at 2015 2:15 PM

2015-08-22T14:15:50-04:00

New ribbons is really unnecessary, if a person or individuals performance is outstanding a certificate of recognition is in order.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2015 3:59 PM

2015-08-22T15:59:05-04:00

Rewarding mediocrity is further perpetuated by the entitled millennials who get participation trophies. Then later in life their feelings get hurt because they aren't rewarded for simply doing their job.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2015 4:17 PM

2015-08-22T16:17:37-04:00

That is the great social change that is permeating through the ranks. It is bogus. Do your job, live but your creeds.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 23 at 2015 9:42 PM

2015-08-23T21:42:59-04:00

IF we would stop awarding trophies for participation and give kids a dose of the real world as appropriate things would get better

Response by PO2 Johnathan Kerns made Sep 3 at 2015 6:15 AM

2015-09-03T06:15:46-04:00

I think it's a bad idea personally.

Response by CDR Michael Goldschmidt made Sep 5 at 2015 7:45 PM

2015-09-05T19:45:42-04:00

OMG...we're becoming the Air Force!

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Sep 7 at 2015 9:47 AM

2015-09-07T09:47:30-04:00

Sounds the same as the Air Force Honor Graduate ribbon. It's purpose is obviously not to award mediocrity, it's to award the trainees/recruits that prove themselves among the best in their group. I will say for the AF though that other than maybe being used on ones first EPR the ribbon is relatively meaningless after.

Now you want a truly mediocre ribbon, the AF training ribbon fits that billet. Literally given for just making it through BMT alongside the Defense ribbon and it's generally the lowest or one of the lowest on everyone's ribbon racks. The defense ribbon at least hold some value and meaning for you signing up under the possibility of being sent into a conflict but the AF Training Ribbon? Yay you made it through 8 weeks of getting yelled at sometimes, doing PT (assuming you don't get a profile), and passing the multiple choice test at the end. Can there be a college graduate ribbon too, then I will have incentive to get a degree as if I have no other reason.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 10:28 PM

2015-09-11T22:28:29-04:00

No, we do not strive to celebrate mediocrity!!! We are there, and all about it! LOL! Everyone is a winner and gets a ribbon! Yaaay! Nobody is a loser, because no one fails! Failure is NOT an option! No, really it's not even on the list of options anymore! Hahahaha!