Is there a list of authorized metals, awards, ribbons or decorations that you wear that is not on your DD214?

2018-08-19T08:15:59-04:00

I have been out since 1991 right after Desert Storm ,I have noticed several veterans that I served with wearing medals on their veteran ball caps at reunions and parades and such that are not on our DD214 ,I asked what is that and they said Cold War Medal ,I said I dont have that on my DD214 ,they reply you dont have to that it is rewarded to automatically to any veteran or military personnel that served 1945 thru 1991 ? My unit was only rewarded with 2 of the 3 main medals in Desert Storm ,Southwest Asia Service Metal and Liberation of Kuwait Medal we did not get the Saudi Arabia Desert Storm Victory Metal. Thise same veterans wear them and tell me since the kingdom of Saudi Arabia awarded them to us? We are also authorized to wear it ? I have researched and researched the internet and I cannot find any info or list on this subject?

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Aug 19 at 2018 8:18 AM

2018-08-19T08:18:33-04:00

Cold war metal https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_War_Victory_Medal

Cold War Victory Medal - Wikipedia

The Cold War Victory Medal is both an official medal of the National Guard and an unofficial military medal of the United States. It is awarded by the U.S. states of Louisiana and Texas, and in ribbon form only by the State of Alaska.[citation needed] In the medal's unofficial capacity it can be purchased, but not worn in uniform. It may be worn by any member of the United States military, or civilian employees of the federal government, who...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2018 9:32 AM

2018-08-19T09:32:32-04:00

Cold War Medal was never authorized.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Aug 19 at 2018 12:18 PM

2018-08-19T12:18:50-04:00

This is the offical document (page 1 & 2 combined) reference to the Cold War Victory Medal (CWVM).
Also be aware in some cases 'Awards' are listed in the Army's General Orders. I was notified that I was in receipt of the Presidential Unit Award and then later the Unit Meritorious Award via two different Army General orders for the dates served in each unit.
HOWEVER I am unaware of the 'Cold War Medal' being awarded by any General Order.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Aug 19 at 2018 2:24 PM

2018-08-19T14:24:25-04:00

I'm not tracking a "Cold War Medal"... Are you sure that these aren't commemorative? In which case, rock on Garth; they don't necessarily 'mean' anything. As for the awards given by foreign governments, that is a fuzzy area. It is entirely possible that there are awards given by foreign governments that will not be on your DD214. OIF vets have been formerly awarded a medal from the Iraqi government but it has never been released for award to the veterans (some excuse about how the Iraqi government needs to make all of the awards first).

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2018 4:19 PM

2018-08-19T16:19:18-04:00

Just because something is not on DD 214 does not mean it can not worn by a veteran. Awards are given out after member left unit or service. You can check awards time frames, unit requirements as in time dates of awards and you were with unit in country at that time. The award you are talking about came out 1995 after most storm vets ETS or transferred from unit. I was in my unit that went to Strom and we were issued the Saudi one in question, they made us sign for them and placed in our record with a Pag 13 entry. The PN shop did not place in awards entry, but we new were issued, I wore it for about tow years before I realized not in record, but was in evales and the pg 13, so it was okay to wear, we just placed in my record after that. I would say they can wear but SV guys would bitch and they need to update a DD215.

Response by SFC Quinn Chastant made Aug 19 at 2018 6:06 PM

2018-08-19T18:06:54-04:00

There is no official Cold War medal. There is a cold war certificate that was authorized however. Most of those Cold War Medals are from Civilian Companies not connected with the DoD.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2018 7:10 PM

2018-08-19T19:10:34-04:00

If you want to know what you are authorized to wear you can check with the National Personnel Records Center (NARA.org).

Not everybody who served in Desert Storm was authorized to wear the Saudi medal.

There are also a number of "commemorative" ribbons or medals which are not official DoD ribbons or medals.

Stick with what's on your DD214 and you will be safe. Go with what the archives have as your official record and you will be right.

Response by MSG Greg Kelly made Aug 19 at 2018 8:34 PM

2018-08-19T20:34:26-04:00

Sgt. I understand that sometimes the medals and ribbons seem really important. And when your still in and they are worth promotion points they are. But even if you cannot find any documentation for awards you have earned you still know what you have done in your life and career. I would not let it get you down to much. I know soldiers running around with BSM's who never left the FOB or heard a shot fired in anger. Know another guy who is probably a Chaplin now wearing a CAB and never was in danger. I personally heard a LTC tell his XO at the AF in Baghdad to blanket order CAB's for the unit. I respect the XO he told the LTC "Sir only two soldiers were actually engaged by enemy fire". LTC said he did not care do the order. I have awards I do not wear because I do not agree with the award. And I have had smart ass NCO's tell me I have to wear them and for official inspections I did other then that never. I will not be part of what I consider belittling an award. And what I wore on my chest did not make me I made it. Someone tells me well I have a BSM I think oh that's nice. Now put a V device on there and you can get my attention. Awards have been belittled and marginalized by many people. Just my personal feelings about it. And why would anyone want a medal for a COLD WAR. I have the paper work some place I thought that certificate was joke until someone handed it to me but a medal man someone was really hard up for ribbons.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Aug 19 at 2018 10:31 PM

2018-08-19T22:31:13-04:00

AR 600-8-22 will answer any awards question you may have.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Aug 20 at 2018 6:28 AM

2018-08-20T06:28:09-04:00

You can perform a search of unit awards post service. If you were assigned to a unit and in theater at the time, a combination of your assignment orders and the list of units deployed and when justifies your wear of the Award. It takes a little leg work and easily starts on google, or other search engines. Medals specific to a certain Guard or reserve unit is as easy to discerne. Simply saying you earned it is not enough. Do your homework. Thank you for your service.

Response by MSG Johnathan Mathes made Aug 20 at 2018 4:16 PM

2018-08-20T16:16:12-04:00

Saudi Arabia Desert Storm Victory Metal? what the hell is that... sorry but i think someone is playing a joke...because i have never seen that and i was in desert storm.. and as a private/Spec had the liberation of Kuwait, Kuwait liberation medal( two different medals,one awarded by Saudis and the other by Kuwaitis.) Southwest Asia medal , national defense medal, two aams, army service ribbion...but i've never ever seen a victory medal...at least not issued by the service.

Response by Sgt John Mizell made Aug 20 at 2018 7:26 PM

2018-08-20T19:26:49-04:00

All My Medals are on my DD215, which was amended 15 times ,my DD214 does not have much info on it,

Response by SGT B. Kevin Blair made Aug 22 at 2018 9:47 PM

2018-08-22T21:47:35-04:00

This is the medal that several that I served with in Desert Storm wears and they say its not on their DD214 or mine
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait_Liberation_Medal_(Saudi_Arabia)

Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) - Wikipedia

The Naut Tahrir al-Kuwait (Arabic: نوط تحرير الكويت) (Medal for the Liberation of Kuwait) was instituted by King Fahd ibn Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia for service during the Liberation of Kuwait campaign.

Response by SGT B. Kevin Blair made Aug 22 at 2018 9:50 PM

2018-08-22T21:50:27-04:00

Back to my original question ,as an NCO I was always taught never wear what was not on your DD214 after your release ,I got out in 1991 has anything changed over last 27 years ?

Response by PV2 Victor Montez made Aug 23 at 2018 1:28 AM

2018-08-23T01:28:37-04:00

Ido not ware any medals or ribbons which I have not earned. If it is not on my DD214 it is not earned. aside from my volunteer work at the VA it will not be on my cap.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2018 1:54 AM

2018-08-23T01:54:24-04:00

I qualified with the M-14 but the bar on my qual. badge says rifle yet others have the M-14 bar why?