Author Topic: Is this average or bad for a five-year enlistment?  (Read 1355 times)

1000meterstare

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Is this average or bad for a five-year enlistment?
« on: March 16, 2012, 10:14:51 PM »
My father got 6 Air Medals for bravery from the Marine Corps in 'Nam over the span of 15 months.  Here's what I got:

Parachutist Badge/Wings with a buttload of jumps(proudest), Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with 2 oak-leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with 2 bronze Service Stars, Good Conduct Medal, Kuwaiti Liberation Medal, NCO professional development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon.  I was also awarded the "Blue Nose" from the Navy (very rare for an Army guy).  I'm just wondering, in retrospect, during that time, if I did all that I could have done?  In retrospect I sometimes feel I could have done more and we wouldn't be in this mess...weird.  I tried my best while I was in (one enlistment).

P.S.  When I was awarded my Arcom it was written up and read as "exercises" and I was booed by the rest of my unit while I received the award.  Yeah, I disappeared for 5 weeks; yeah - it was "exercises."  totally pisses me off. 

1000meterstare

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Re: Is this average or bad for a five-year enlistment?
« Reply #1 on: March 16, 2012, 10:58:44 PM »
I was a "very quiet professional" back in those days, you idiot.  You don't get it, do you?  Look at the big picture. [img]http://www.arrse.co.uk/at

1000meterstare

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Re: Is this average or bad for a five-year enlistment?
« Reply #2 on: March 16, 2012, 11:00:51 PM »
Obviously you have never been close to there, walker.  Not even close...

Offline WhiteWolf

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Re: Is this average or bad for a five-year enlistment?
« Reply #3 on: March 16, 2012, 11:30:43 PM »
What is wrong with being a quiet professional, and not caring about patches, badges, and trinkets?

The only folks I have ever met that worried about such things were usually fobbits.

Regards,

Walker

I think he was trying to ask "Was it enough?"  I've know 1000meterstare for over 2 years. He's one of the most humble individuals I've ever met. If he wanted to rub anything in anyone's face he'd probably just put up some pics of targets from a range day and brag about his Ruger.
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Offline mountainredneck2051

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Re: Is this average or bad for a five-year enlistment?
« Reply #4 on: March 16, 2012, 11:39:22 PM »
i got honorable mention for a finger painting once  [URL=http://www.smileyvault.co

so you done better than me
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Offline WhiteWolf

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Re: Is this average or bad for a five-year enlistment?
« Reply #5 on: March 16, 2012, 11:42:36 PM »
 ??? What's a "Blue Falcon" award?
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Offline sledge

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Re: Is this average or bad for a five-year enlistment?
« Reply #6 on: March 16, 2012, 11:43:08 PM »
I see nothing wrong with guys who are proud of their decorations, commendations, or badges.  They earned them.  If it helps them deal with stuff I say more power to them. 

It's all a matter of your personal perspective.  Mine are in a wooden box on the top shelf of the closet.  I haven't looked at them in years.  I used to look at them a lot.  For me they only made a drinking problem worse.  The only reason I've kept them around is that the kids say they want them when I'm gone.  They see something different in that box than I do.



 
« Last Edit: March 17, 2012, 12:05:24 AM by sledge »



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Offline sledge

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Re: Is this average or bad for a five-year enlistment?
« Reply #7 on: March 17, 2012, 12:08:46 AM »
??? What's a "Blue Falcon" award?

Each branch has a version of it.  In the army it's the blue falcon. (buddy f@cker)



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hjmoosejaw

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Re: Is this average or bad for a five-year enlistment?
« Reply #8 on: March 17, 2012, 12:14:54 AM »
I got to be a Blue Nose in the Navy. (You get that for crossing the Arctic Circle.)

Offline JohnyMac

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Re: Is this average or bad for a five-year enlistment?
« Reply #9 on: March 17, 2012, 08:36:49 AM »
Quote
1000M wrote
In retrospect I sometimes feel I could have done more and we wouldn't be in this mess...weird.  I tried my best while I was in (one enlistment).

During our lives here on this earth achievers always wonder if they could have done more. 1000M, you did exactly what was needed at that time. Looking back always makes me depressed- Look forward man...Look forward. 
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Offline sledge

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Re: Is this average or bad for a five-year enlistment?
« Reply #10 on: March 17, 2012, 01:17:18 PM »
Quote
1000M wrote
In retrospect I sometimes feel I could have done more and we wouldn't be in this mess...weird.  I tried my best while I was in (one enlistment).

During our lives here on this earth achievers always wonder if they could have done more. 1000M, you did exactly what was needed at that time. Looking back always makes me depressed- Look forward man...Look forward.

I really agree with JM.  A wise man there.  1000 I'd say you've accomplished more in the military than most.  But that's not what is really important.  When a man looks back at how much he did, that isn't as important as did he conduct himself with honor and discipline in the things he did accomplish or attempt.

No one can answer that for you.  But if I had to guess, I'd say that you did.
« Last Edit: March 17, 2012, 02:03:03 PM by sledge »



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Offline leadpersuasion

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Re: Is this average or bad for a five-year enlistment?
« Reply #11 on: March 17, 2012, 01:37:08 PM »
Most often, I find the men who judge themselves harsher than their peers, has done quite well and is fully deserving of whatever recognized achievements he/she have received. As long as you know in your heart that you put the best effort possible forward and made the best decisions you could with the information given at that time, you should walk away with no regrets. Reflection is good, as long as its positive, because if its negative, their isn't a damned thing you can do about it now. And of course, you guys know this, but it sometimes is good to hear from a fresh perspective. As well as, you veterans always are appreciated and loved by me and mine. Veterans are always welcome at my home and my stores.  [url=http://www.freesmileys.or
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Offline JohnyMac

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Re: Is this average or bad for a five-year enlistment?
« Reply #12 on: March 17, 2012, 10:08:41 PM »
 [URL=http://www.smileyvault.co LP.
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Offline Reaver

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Re: Is this average or bad for a five-year enlistment?
« Reply #13 on: March 18, 2012, 08:05:01 PM »
Your good man.  [URL=http://www.smileyvault.co
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Offline Kentactic

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Re: Is this average or bad for a five-year enlistment?
« Reply #14 on: March 18, 2012, 08:24:41 PM »
5 inches is average dude your good dont worry about it.... wait what was the question...... ?
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Offline leadpersuasion

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Re: Is this average or bad for a five-year enlistment?
« Reply #15 on: March 19, 2012, 08:44:42 AM »
5 inches is average dude your good dont worry about it.... wait what was the question...... ?

LMFAO!!! That was damn good!
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Offline Outonowhere

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Re: Is this average or bad for a five-year enlistment?
« Reply #16 on: March 19, 2012, 08:48:33 AM »
5 inches is average dude your good dont worry about it.... wait what was the question...... ?

LMAO good one! 

But really, you know what you did and where you been.  Don't matter what anyone else thinks.
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Offline papabear

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Re: Is this average or bad for a five-year enlistment?
« Reply #17 on: April 19, 2012, 07:29:50 PM »
I'm in kinda the same boat as sledge, I've got my display case of medals but it's my box of trinkets from friends and brothers that's most precious to me.
It reflects upon memories of times both good and bad that I will never forget and that have shaped me into the person I am today.
When you look death in the eyes one too many times, the fast pace of life and the little things that you thought were important aren't really that big a deal.