Should the order of precedence change for decorations and awards?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 11:04:41 -0500

The top five awards for bravery - the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, the Air Force Cross (those three decorations are considered equal), and the Silver Star are all awarded ONLY for valorous acts while engaged in direct combat against an armed enemy of the United States. I do believe meritorious service awards, with criteria which often distinguishes between officer and enlisted, have there place. However, shouldn't we place more emphasis on medals awarded strictly for valor? Awards for valor are egalitarian. A private can be decorated with the Medal of Honor or a Silver Star just as soon as a Five Star General. Shouldn't that be above meritorious service medals?

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Mar 7 at 2020 11:05 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 11:05:28 -0500

I say leave things as they are.

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Mar 7 at 2020 11:15 AM

CW5 Jack Cardwell — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 11:15:54 -0500

Thanks for sharing.

Response by SGT Robert Pryor made Mar 7 at 2020 11:17 AM

SGT Robert Pryor — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 11:17:01 -0500

Absolutely.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Mar 7 at 2020 11:29 AM

CPT Jack Durish — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 11:29:25 -0500

How 'bout starting with the basics. It's the Medal of Honor (there is no honor in Congress). Then there are awards for service, achievement, and valor ("V" device) such as the Commendation Medal and Bronze Star. Should the honoree having both wear one of each? How 'bout awards for service and achievement be worn on the right breast and those for valor on the left? Oh, the confusion...

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Mar 7 at 2020 11:43 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 11:43:38 -0500

SGT Private RallyPoint Member, this is an interesting idea; however, I agree with 1SG Mark Flowers. The DoD and Service boards that govern the awards and ribbons considered the various awards including history and other factors. I say leave the top medals for valor and service as they are. If we change anything, we should do away with some of the "been there, done that" ribbons that proliferate on today's service members' ribbon rack. Air Force Training Ribbon is one example. Also standardization among the services on awards and devices for marksmanship, years of service, and overseas service would be good.

I was a Cold Warrior. I have 12 ribbons; six are for medals. The other six could be represented in some other way.
1. Air Force Training should have never been created.
2. Marksmanship. I like the way the Army handles this.
3. Longevity. The Army and Navy use stripes on sleeve. Air Force should do the same.
4. Overseas long tour. ditto 3
5. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. Shouldn't be an individual ribbon. I was assigned when the unit was awarded so I get a ribbon, twice. Should just be a streamer on unit flag.
6. Presidential Joint Unit Citation. Ditto 5.

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Mar 7 at 2020 1:07 PM

SPC Nancy Greene — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 13:07:18 -0500

Excellent Question SGT David Reynolds!

Response by TSgt Michael Brandt made Mar 7 at 2020 2:16 PM

TSgt Michael Brandt — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 14:16:30 -0500

I think the Air Force and their ribbons are fine how they are you have some new troops that get a lot of pride out of having a few ribbons on there class As and if it boost pride and morale I see nothing wrong with that

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Mar 7 at 2020 7:44 PM

PVT Mark Zehner — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 19:44:10 -0500

Interesting!

Response by SSG Kenneth Ponder made Jul 3 at 2020 11:02 PM

SSG Kenneth Ponder — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 23:02:41 -0400

Get rid of the meritous awards. They're nothing but bullshit anyway.
Majority of all awds started around WWl.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made May 19 at 2021 12:52 AM

MSG John Duchesneau — Wed, 19 May 2021 00:52:12 -0400

You make a good point. That's the only change I would make except for making the Armed Forces Service Medal rank above the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and possibly making the National Defense Service Medal rank below campaign medals.

Response by CPT Byron Ward made Apr 25 at 2024 10:18 PM

CPT Byron Ward — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 22:18:26 -0400

I am a BIG advocate of putting the Silver Star above all DSMs.

Response by CPT Byron Ward made Apr 27 at 2024 11:05 AM

CPT Byron Ward — Sat, 27 Apr 2024 11:05:43 -0400

I am fine with the precedence of most decorations, but I very strongly advocate one change: PUT THE SILVER STAR ABOVE MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDALS!