For everyone’s info, the meritorious service medal was CREATED to serve as the NONCOMBAT version of a bronze star. In the air force it is often used as a retirement medal or awarded to Major’s and above if they command a Squadron or higher (Company/Battalion/Regiment for the army and marines), in an expeditionary unit overseas for at least 6 months. But IF the expedition is to a theater in the middle east even adjacent to iraq/afghanistan, it is usually upgraded to bronze star EVEN if there was NO combat involved. In other words, the MSM exists for situations like that, but somehow higher ranking brass still get the medal specifically designed for minor combat heroism. It would be like saying enlisted-men and nco’s wounded in combat get a purple heart, but if you have shiny oak leaves, eagles, or stars on your uniform you can get a purple heart for injuring a groin muscle at the gym. Also, that very same bologna exists for the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal. It is the most beautiful decoration in my opinion; a silver star burst medallion with a large sapphire colored jewell in the middle. Yet it is essentially ONLY awarded to Colonels and Generals for basically just doing their jobs for a decade. What would be an Air Force Commendation medal or MSM for everybody else somehow gets upgraded about 10 steps if your job involves lots and lots of paperwork, meetings, and expensive business dinners.

Wait huh?

Why? For what?

Is that even possible for consideration? I thought someone else had to recommend you for it.

As have I.

Outstanding!

Seen it too

I have as well. But as an E3 I was also coined by the BC and one of my battles as an E3 was coined by a General who was a post commander. My battle aided another unit who were short for out mos for like 2 weeks or something and during a training event I was told I went above and beyond my job description, but in my head I was just doing my job. Still it is nice to see lower enlisted get recognized for the work they do. As I go up further the only way the mission gets completed is because the lower enlisted do their jobs and do them well. I just sit and do the paperwork. Every win is their win not mine, and I make sure they know that. If they ever do fail, well reality is I failed them thats on me not them and I make sure the shit stops rolling at me.

What's her name I want to look up the citation, lol

Not even E-5s? That sucks

So you want a cookie for doing job? The others went above and beyond their own mos it seems.

@@nickgerr1991requesting medical service for your battle buddy is above and beyond in your opinion? If you don’t do this then you have zero worth to the military, if you can’t even ask for help to save a life then you don’t deserve to serve your country

@@ArizonaGuns their primary mos isn't medic. Going above and beyond your primary mos is what gets you medals

@@nickgerr1991 a medics job isn’t to run a get help either, it is to begin working on the casualty. I wouldn’t consider it to be going above and beyond by asking for help to save someone’s life

@@nickgerr1991 like you’re in the military, that is your job, mission comes first, and part of the mission is ensuring your fellow soldiers aren’t dying

i hear this alot my dad was sent to Somalia for something EOD related, he was an E-4 at the time and after being their for a few months they all got put in for Navy Coms or Achievement, then in the end they said it wasn't fair to give only half of his mobile unit it since the other half wasn't selected. Ended up getting a shittyy Unit Commedation instead lmao

My unit after iraq was E7 and up with all officers got bronze stars. E6 and below were lucky if they got anything to include a thank you.

I hope they don't take credit for the one's who did the work. I'm considering joining as an officer, and I see a lot of enlisted vs officers, but I'd hope to be one who takes credit for what collectively everyone has done, as should everyone else.

Even as an officer?

@@dutch4973 correction, enlist*. I think the officer life is much better. Money, treatment and power.

​@@SethAKPII'm pretty close to going officer infantry in hope to get my masters for free and be a strength coach for college when I get out is this low IQ in your opinion

Holy fuck I never looked at it that way

Ooooo, Lmao 🤣👍

Get,not earned