Do U.S troops take their majority of medals seriously?

Question

The U.S military and C.G have the most medals of any western country. In commonwealth country's you only get medals for deployments, bravery or long or (extremely) distinguished service. while in the u.s navy people seem to get a couple of medals a year. A Vice admiral in the Australian Navy may have three ribbon bars (rows) of medals on his tunic. While a U.S admiral cant even stand up straight because the medals are dragging him down. Im not being malicious or anything.
But for all the u.s soldiers out there, do they really mean anything?

The U.S military and C.G have the most medals of any western country. In commonwealth country's you only get medals for deployments, bravery or long or (extremely) distinguished service. while in the u.s navy people seem to get a couple of medals a year. A Vice admiral in the Australian Navy may have three ribbon bars (rows) of medals on his tunic. While a U.S admiral cant even stand up straight because the medals are dragging him down. Im not being malicious or anything.
But for all the u.s soldiers out there, do they really mean anything?

P.S. Im asking a serious question i know that the purple heart and the likes are very commendable, im not talking about those im talking about "acheivment medals" and "qualification medals" and the like.

Answer 1

They mean a lot to the individual but to most other people. Do you remember Adm. Jeremy Boorda who committed Scud over one? Keep in mind for every person in the field you have 11 in the rear so how did Desert Storm award more medal then men? Everyone I know feel they hand medals out like candy so much they mean little but mean too much in the promotion board to ignore. For me until a year ago I never even asked for them all:
Purple Heart w/cluster, Bronze Star w/V, and so on. With all of them and two dollars you can get a cup of coffee.


God Bless you and the Southern People.

Answer 2

The only ones they take serious are the ones that they receive out of recognition.... I agree there are far too many ribbons that are meaningless though... everyone gets them and they are awarded automatically. Those are empty awards. I have been in a long time (25 yrs) I have 23 ribbons..... counting the 2nd and 3rd awards on some of those awards, it would come to 50 individual awards....of all those awards...only 6 have real meaning. 3 Purple hearts, 1 Bronze Star, 2 Air Medals .

The achievements commendations and meritorious service medals are moderately meaningful... all the rest need to be dumped...lol

Answer 3

Ribbions and Medals are different. When I was in, I had 2 rows and a dot of ribbons, but only 2 medals (A NAM (Navy Achievement Medal, which I relly did work hard for) and a "Good Conduct) I was proud of them. They meant a lot to me.

Answer 4

The ribbons and medals mean everything to the men and women who have earned them. WHat do you have to show for? These men and women, will always have these to show for. These will be passed down from generation to generation. Is it that hard for you people to support your military, and stop putting them down?

Answer 5

i would say the majority of medal recipients,yes. however,it's a persons deeds for being a recipient in the first place is what the medal signifies,and that is what is important.

Answer 6

The US govt. gives medals in order to make feel that they achieved something then they can easily coomand them.

Answer 7

Yes. Not only are they a matter of pride for the servicemember, they also help in getting promoted.

Answer 8

Yes! I have the Purple Heart and it means a lot to me.

Answer 9

Yes they mean alot!

Answer 10

YES!...bcos they use their blood to change for it...