New "National Defense" Tartan

[Chas]

To snicker about this medal as being a "thanks for showing up" medal is pretty harsh and implies that those in the military who are not deployed are sitting around the snack bar eating pizza. The men and women I've met in the military who are stateside aren't just "showing up". They carry out jobs that are vital to the larger effort that provides for the defense of all of us and all we hold dear. I'm most familiar with the Air Force Research Labs (where our daughter is), and most of the fabulously talented people who work there will never see the pointy end of the sword yet they are totally committed to inventing and perfecting technologies that help other American servicemen and women do their jobs better and more safely.

Not only that, but they are committed in ways that none of us in the civilian world can fully comprehend. It's a big decision to be in the armed forces. Those in the military typically can't choose their jobs or where they will work, and they certainly can't just decide they don't like their jobs and quit to go do something else. If they stay in for a career, they know they could be called up at any time to leave their loved ones and go into harm's way, perhaps for an extended period of time. Many will never earn what they could have earned as civilians. And even if they never go overseas, they can't put down roots, and their spouses can't establish careers in one place because they move every few years.

I'm all for giving these dedicated men and women a medal even if they never have to look down the barrel of a gun.

Hear, Hear! When I was blown up in Northern Ireland, I was more than grateful to the dedicated men and women, back in England, who put me back together again.

"They also serve who stand and wait.

Regards

Chas

[planemaker]

I like the tartan. Would any of my cousins in the Americian Forces object if this former Canadian Air Force officer wore this tartan?

Also....thank you for your service. I always enjoyed working with the USAF and US Army units. int:

Cheers!

Paul

[Colonel MacNeal]

I like the tartan. Would any of my cousins in the Americian Forces object if this former Canadian Air Force officer wore this tartan?

Also....thank you for your service. I always enjoyed working with the USAF and US Army units. int:

Cheers!

Paul

This USAF veteran has no objection. Would you have an objection to me wearing the RCAF tartan?

Cheers ColMac

[planemaker]

Absolutely not Colonel! Not having earned the medal, I did not want to offend. I did however earn the Canadian equivalent, the Canadian Forces Decoration. It only took me 12 years!

Cheers!

Paul


PS: There is a RCAF kilt available on ebay right now.

[randal]

I like the tartan. Would any of my cousins in the Americian Forces object if this former Canadian Air Force officer wore this tartan?

Also....thank you for your service. I always enjoyed working with the USAF and US Army units. int:

Cheers!

Paul

This Navy vet would be honored if you wore this tartan. And I thank you for your service as well.

[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

[David H]

Barb, you are correct!! I could not have said it any better. I have been in the USAF (active, Guard, and Reserve) for 26 years. The past ten I have been on active duty.
I have had the opportunity to work in the civilian sector, the past few years, but I choose not to. I know that I could make more money in the civilian sector but I wanted to wear the uniform. My two little boys thinks it is "cool" that their daddy is in the USAF and they live on base.
I really take exception to those who think that you have to just show up to their Guard or Reserve unit in order to receive this medal. Most of us who have earned this medal have really worked for it. We do it because we love what we do and we think that we can make a difference.
As far as the tartan is concerned, it is really a nice looking kilt. I have been looking for another one to purchase. I will put this one on my list.

[cavscout]

With all due respect, let's take a step back and notice that no one is saying that those who served in the rear are any less valuable or necessary to the overall mission. It is veterans who understand that this medal is given to EVERYONE serving during ANY conflict. When a Private or PFC walks off Parris Island (or San Diego) they are wearing this medal and a Rifle Qaul. Badge. The gesture of this medal is very nice but as a vet who served in a rear position I don't have a problem with WE who earned it joking about it. There are MANY other Veterans Issues I will choose to get my hackle up about. Also, there are things Vets can joke about that civilians cannot. This is one of them. I can also joke about my Good Conduct Medal (Good Cookie) 2nd award considering the fact that a lowly 18 year old private is held to the strict standards of the UCMJ (take a guess at what the penalty for bouncing a $5 check would be ) yet the highly educated civilian leadership is not and would be thrown under the jail if they ever were. While vets are not getting the care they deserve or their families have to figure out a way to provide for their kids upon their death; while those in a theater of operation have to have their families send them diaper wipes or food to trade with the locals; and while most enlisted personnel live below the poverty level, a veteran joking about the NDM is a rather small issue. I'd like to see the budget amount dedicated to the NDM given to the charity in my link, Ward 57 . Alas, it takes private donations to provide for these warriors and their families during a very long recovery.

[Splash_4]

with all due respect, let's take a step back and notice that no one is saying that those who served in the rear are any less valuable or necessary to the overall mission. It is veterans who understand that this medal is given to everyone serving during any conflict. When a private or pfc walks off parris island (or san diego) they are wearing this medal and a rifle qaul. Badge. The gesture of this medal is very nice but as a vet who served in a rear position i don't have a problem with we who earned it joking about it. There are many other veterans issues i will choose to get my hackle up about. Also, there are things vets can joke about that civilians cannot. This is one of them. I can also joke about my good conduct medal (good cookie) 2nd award considering the fact that a lowly 18 year old private is held to the strict standards of the ucmj (take a guess at what the penalty for bouncing a $5 check would be ) yet the highly educated civilian leadership is not and would be thrown under the jail if they ever were. While vets are not getting the care they deserve or their families have to figure out a way to provide for their kids upon their death; while those in a theater of operation have to have their families send them diaper wipes or food to trade with the locals; and while most enlisted personnel live below the poverty level, a veteran joking about the ndm is a rather small issue. I'd like to see the budget amount dedicated to the ndm given to the charity in my link, ward 57 . Alas, it takes private donations to provide for these warriors and their families during a very long recovery.

amen!