2006-06-22 08:59:33 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
This whole medal thing has always puzzled me.
I did two years active serve in different countries, from the UK (not by choice I hasten to add) I never got any medals. I was in Cyprus Aden and Mombasa . I was certainly no war hero but I was there.
When I see all the medals being worn by to days (mainly overseas )armies I often wonder what they are for??
I don't envy them I'm just puzzled!
2006-06-22 19:30:41 · answer #1 · answered by budding author 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutley right its the QJM. The queen awarded it to all servicemen, police etc who had more than, I think, 5 years service. I have one and am proud to have it.
She decreed that her family members be awarded the medal even though several were not in the military at the time.
As someone pointed out America dishes out medals like confetti and they are therefore seen by the rest of the world as tinsel. Britain tends only to issue medals for galantry and service in war zones. This makes it much more simple for people to see that a Brit with medals has achieved something. Sadly it also means that an American with a chest full of medals is seen by most as wearing inconsequential awards. I say sadly because there are a lot of american servicement out there with gallantry medals, Bronze, Silver and Gold stars, Purple hearts etc who go unrecognised even by fellow americans because of this confetti mentality.
Prince Phillip and prince Charles served in thye Royal Navy and both still hold rank in that service. Prince Andrew was a Royal Navy helicopter piot in the Falklands war and definitely put himself in harms way!
Most servicement recognise the good medals and give the respect due to the holder.
2006-06-25 15:16:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In many services around the world, they have "Been There, Done That" medals reflecting service in different areas or reaching certain status. The U.S. Military give a medal for successfully completing Basic Training, then another called a "Good Conduct" medal for each successive three year term of goo service with no disciplinary problems. Some medals are given for accomplishment of certain goals (i.e. Air Medals for certain number of flying hours without incident or accident). Some medals are given for a higher quality service, some are given as awards for exceptional bravery during peacetime and there are a very limited number given for valor under "Actions against an enemy in combat". The link will take you to a webpage where you can see the different U.S. Military service medals and ribbons. Each service is represented by an icon on the left. Each service has different designs for different types of awards.
2006-06-23 11:28:59 · answer #3 · answered by Fuggetaboutit_1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can get medals in the British forces for many things, Prince Harry's is probably for being best recruit, as mentioned above. You can get medals for going on operations for a certain ammount of days (usually equates to a no. of months in one go or a larger ammount of days cumulative. You can also get some for being in the service a number of years, like the Queen's Jubilee medal. Some are very easy to get, and aren't really important, just look nice. Others, like the VC are amazing achievements.
2006-06-29 08:16:13 · answer #4 · answered by genghis41f 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is wearing the Queens Golden Jubilee medal which was awarded to every serving member of the armed forces who were inlisted on the jubilee date.
Unlike our American cousins the British Army only issues medals for service in conflict zones and a 15 year long service and good conduct medals. The only exception is the above medal.
2006-06-23 17:10:25 · answer #5 · answered by chris t 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many members of Royal Families wear medals just for being members of their family. That's just the way it is, since the monarch is usually automatically the Grand Master of the most important orders of his state. Family members get lower classes of the same oders.
However, since Prince Harry is a serving officer of the British Army, it is possible that he has actually earned a medal already. Depends which medal you are referring to.
2006-06-23 07:40:36 · answer #6 · answered by Sean F 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is graduated with honour in the Sandhurst military academy. And it's been a custom in the whole world Military Academy,that if one is graduated with honor (the best graduatee of the year),is given a medal.There's many kind of medal in the Armed Forces,but this medal won't show any expertise,service,or valor accept his prestation while he was in the Academy.
2006-06-22 22:11:29 · answer #7 · answered by Eldha'sfather 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont recall Charles ever going to a war..but hes got more unwarranted medals than an Argentinian general...its a joke and an insult to those who really served..on the other hand tho..Andrew served with distinction in the falklands war...so that balances it up a bit..
2006-06-22 21:49:04 · answer #8 · answered by good dog! 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chris is right. It's a QJM to which he is perfectly entitled. I doubt it will be long until he starts adding campaign medals.
2006-06-23 19:20:49 · answer #9 · answered by Kitty 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're a Prince, you can wear any damn medal that you want.
2006-06-22 16:04:45 · answer #10 · answered by Vagabond5879 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋