New "National Defense" Tartan

[beloitpiper]

Nice looking tartan. I'm still waiting for them to come out with the Wisconsin tar--oooh boy, the "kilt man" video is still there...

[kiltedinUSMC]

I Like it. Its a nice way to honor those who served, because that is the one medal everyone has earned.

[medic78]

I remember it being referred to as the "geedunk medal" in the Navy, referring to the fact that there were no overseas or combat requirement to earn it; you could have spent all your time in the geedunk--the snack bar.

same here found out a couple of years ago that I got one hav'nt bpought it yet. But more than likely will, More salad on the chest. tartan looks good.

[Tim B]

Ive been out for a while and my Army Times subscription has long expired. I know the NDM is awarded during conflict times, but I recently was told that it's wear was authorized if you served in Korea any time after the Korean war to present as the soldiers there were actively involved in "national defense" in an theatre that was technically only under a truce.

Can anyone set me straight on this?

[Teufel Hunden]

It's really a handsome tartan. We affectionately called this the Fire Watch medal in the Corps.

And these days, it's worn as part of the group of "thanks for showing up" medals we all got starting with the GWOT.


I don't think the Fire Watch kilt looks too bad really, much better than i thought it would when i first saw the thread title.

[cavscout]

The official criteria:

a. The National Defense Service Medal was awarded for honorable active service for any period between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954; between 1 January 1961 and 14 August 1974; between 2 August 1990 and 30 November 1995 and between 11 September 2001 and a closing date to be determined. For the purpose of the award, the following persons will not be considered as performing active service:

(1) Guard and Reserve forces personnel on short tours of duty to fulfill training obligations under an inactive duty training program.

(2) Any person on active duty for the sole purpose of undergoing a physical examination.

(3) Any person on temporary active duty to serve on boards, courts, commissions and like organizations or on active duty for purposes other than extended active duty.

(4) A one time only exception, for members of the Army National Guard and United States Army Reserve, who were part of the selected reserve in good standing, was authorized, per executive orders 12778, dated 18 October 1991, for the period 2 August 1990 to 30 November 1995.

b. The National Defense Service Medal may be awarded to members of the Reserve Components who are ordered to Federal active duty, regardless of duration, except for the categories listed above. Any member of the Guard or Reserve who, after 31 December 1960, becomes eligible for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal or the Southwest Asia Service Medal is also eligible for the National Defense Service Medal.

c. To signify receipt of a second or subsequent award of the NDSM, a bronze service star will be worn on the service ribbon by U.S. Army personnel so qualified. Second or third award of the NDSM is authorized for soldiers who served in one or more of the four qualifying time periods. It is not authorized for soldiers who met the criteria in one time period, left active duty and returned during the same period of eligibility.

d. Cadets of the U.S. Military Academy are eligible for the NDSM, during any of the inclusive periods listed above, upon completion of the swearing-in ceremonies as a cadet.

e. The NDSM may be issued posthumously.

[berserkbishop]

Interesting concept. I dont think I would ever buy or wear it. I am about to graduate from MM A school but I hardly feel that I have earned the right to wear my national defense medal, I have never even been on a ship yet. My buddies and I tend to refer to it as the McDonalds ribbon, simply because it matches the burger joints color and goes well with our french fries (E-3 stripes for the Navy). No disrespect to the medal is meant, its just our way of shortening the name.

Bishop

[Kilted-Keith]

Ive been out for a while and my Army Times subscription has long expired. I know the NDM is awarded during conflict times, but I recently was told that it's wear was authorized if you served in Korea any time after the Korean war to present as the soldiers there were actively involved in "national defense" in an theatre that was technically only under a truce.

Can anyone set me straight on this?

Your information is INCORRECT - However there is a Korean Defense Service medal
The Korea Defense Service Medal is a United States military award that was first created in 2002 when it was signed into law by President George W. Bush. The bill to create the proposal was introduced and championed by Rep. Elton Gallegly and Sen. Ben "Night Horse" Campbell. In 2004, the Institute of Heraldry approved the final design and the medal became authorized for distribution.

The Korea Defense Service Medal (KDSM) is authorized for those members of the U.S. military who have served duty in the Republic of Korea to uphold the armistice between South and North Korea. To qualify for the KDSM, a service member must have served at least thirty consecutive days in the Korean theater. The medal is also granted for 60 non-consecutive days of service which includes reservists on annual training in Korea.

for more info http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korea_D..._Service_Medal

[Rogerson785]

Sir,

You are correct in stating that the NDM is awarded during times of conflict.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11, 2004 – A satellite photo Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld showed the Senate Armed Services Committee recently graphically depicts why Congress authorized the Korean Defense Service Medal.

The new medal is America's way "of recognizing the tremendous accomplishments," said a Pentagon spokeswoman, of service members who served in Korea from July 28, 1954, to a future undetermined date. "The Republic of Korea is prosperous, free and democratic because of the sacrifices of generations of Americans in that land," she added.


This medal is only awarded to those that actually served during the Korean war, not during the occupation.



The Korean Service medal was established on November 8, 1950 by President Harry S. Truman per Executive Order 10179. The design was created by Mr. Thomas J. Jones and used the symbols associated with Korea, relecting service in that Country.

It was awarded for service between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954 under the following conditions:

[Cerebite]

I remember it being referred to as the "geedunk medal" in the Navy, referring to the fact that there were no overseas or combat requirement to earn it; you could have spent all your time in the geedunk--the snack bar.

same here found out a couple of years ago that I got one hav'nt bpought it yet. But more than likely will, More salad on the chest. tartan looks good.

I always refer to mine as the CNN Medal with the Fox News Star [Gulf War & GWOT] because that is what I was doing each time I received it.