In your opinion, which set up of medals looks better?

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Sun, 17 Sep 2017 01:48:36 -0400

I know that I don't have many but I'm looking at having a full rack of my medals for certain occasions like Veterans Day. I'm just debating on whether to go three or four wide.

Response by SSgt David Marks made Sep 17 at 2017 1:56 AM

SSgt David Marks — Sun, 17 Sep 2017 01:56:39 -0400

Of the ones you show I only have one or two, however I don't remember the regs too much which dictate the way these are to be worn on the mess dress uniform, but just as a thought I think the 4 bottom and 3 top configuration better. However check the regs as to what is proper and correct.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2017 2:57 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Sep 2017 02:57:59 -0400

The second picture where you only have two rows, four medals in the back and three in the front. I think that looks better and it allows people to see more of what you have. Where as the first picture which is three rows due to the spacing it kind of hides the third row.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Sep 17 at 2017 3:30 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sun, 17 Sep 2017 03:30:10 -0400

3/4 looks best to me.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Sep 17 at 2017 3:54 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sun, 17 Sep 2017 03:54:38 -0400

4 & 3. Single medals on a stack always look wonky...

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Sep 17 at 2017 7:56 AM

LTC Kevin B. — Sun, 17 Sep 2017 07:56:37 -0400

I prefer the 3-3-1. That makes the ARCOMs stick out as your highest award, rather than being commingled among all of the rest.

Response by CWO3 Dennis M. made Sep 17 at 2017 10:48 AM

CWO3 Dennis M. — Sun, 17 Sep 2017 10:48:07 -0400

I think the four wide looks best.

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Sep 17 at 2017 1:16 PM

SP5 Peter Keane — Sun, 17 Sep 2017 13:16:07 -0400

I like the look of the 4 wide. While another has said the Arcom on top looks better, I personally feel the Arcom to the right shows it to be the highest. (your right, should anyone think I can't see straight, lol)

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2017 3:25 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Sep 2017 15:25:48 -0400

I'd go with the 4 wide configuration. With multiple medals it just never looks right to have 1 sitting out there on a row by itself.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Sep 17 at 2017 5:44 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 17 Sep 2017 17:44:28 -0400

If your chest / jacket supports four across, you can see it all. I like the 331 because it is more standard and draws out the ARCOM.

Response by LTC John Mohor made Sep 18 at 2017 12:08 AM

LTC John Mohor — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 00:08:12 -0400

I went with the few rows the better.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2017 12:55 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 00:55:02 -0400

Go four wide. In your case it will allow all of them to be visible... which I like as each has their own story, not just the one on top.
And don't ever tell yourself that you "don't have that many". I see a proud record of accomplishment for an NCO Veteran of the US Army. There is not a damn thing there that says anything but job well done, achievements well-earned.

Response by SGT David T. made Sep 18 at 2017 8:08 AM

SGT David T. — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 08:08:44 -0400

I like the top one personally. I honestly never gave much thought to wearing mine after I got out. I think they are in a box in my closet lol.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Sep 18 at 2017 2:32 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 14:32:41 -0400

I always went with symmetry. 1-4 on one row. Then 2-3, 3-3, 3-4, 4-4, 3-3-3. 4-4-2, etc. I did get a chuckle about the mounts for medals and ribbons that avoid the jacket lapel. Then I got to the point where I had to deal with it. I never liked the single medal sticking up there. Mini medals get goofy as we'd have to put them on the dinner dress lapel, pretty much as above. The dinner lapel gets constipated faster than the service dress.

Response by SPC Herold Bush made Sep 20 at 2017 6:39 PM

SPC Herold Bush — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 18:39:36 -0400

Nothing to do with how many rows, How come they are so shiny? Did they change how the medals look?

Response by Cpl Christopher Bishop made Sep 20 at 2017 7:43 PM

Cpl Christopher Bishop — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 19:43:49 -0400

Perhaps regulations have changed, but once upon a time there was some sort of rule or regulation regarding wearing ribbons 4 wide at all, yet it was written in a vague manner, it basically said Only when the total number of ribbons exceeds an amount justifying it. I figured this meant approx 16-18 or more. But that is "ribbons" and I dont know how that affects "medals".

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2017 7:57 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 19:57:22 -0400

4 wide

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2017 10:35 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 22:35:49 -0400

In my opinion, it comes down to your chest size. If you have a broader chest and have the room, then going 4-wide is a good way to go. If your built like a rail, like me, then go 3-wide. Just remember not to wear skill badges on the pocket when wearing medals. Marksmanship/drivers badges aren’t worn at all, and skill badges (ABN, AA, etc) are worn above the medals.

Where are you buying them from, out of curiosity?

You can technically wear them in leu of a ribbon rack, though some situations (boards, payday activities, etc.) would be impractical. Wearing them to more formal events such as dining out’s, and on special occasions such as weddings, funerals, and so on are perfectly fine. The wear of full-sized medals are rare these days and you will definitely stand out. Besides myself, I have only seen a few folks wear medals, and only one other guy wear gold-plated medals (aside from the 3rd ID Old Guard guys of course). Good on you for putting in the time and effort!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2017 3:05 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Sep 2017 03:05:11 -0400

Go with whatever your regs allow. Marines I'm guessing have a bit less freedom when it comes to award setup. For males, the first seven will go on one row, and then if you have eight; then you will start a second row, but both rows will be four. Nine medals means bottom row has five, top, four and so on and so forth until you reach seven on both rows once again.

For your stack, I'd go with the 4-3, given a choice. The lone medal just looks weird.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Oct 26 at 2017 8:59 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 20:59:09 -0400

SGT Joseph Gunderson Iv'e Never Worn All My Medals, That Would just be Stupid Crazy Gaudy!, the Freaking KLMSA is Freaking Huge. No I'll Pass. Not My Style. I'm an Arrogant Ass But I Have to Draw the Line Somewhere. I Got Paid to be a Navy Spook and Yes I'm an Arrogant Asshole but Even I Draw the Line Somewhere!

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Oct 27 at 2017 7:41 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 07:41:24 -0400

The three over four looks pretty good.