Your recruiter lied to you *shock*.
The Army Commendation medal is a mid-level United States military award which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. For valorous actions IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH AN ENEMY FORCE, but of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Bronze Star, the Valor device ("V" device) may be authorized as an attachment to the decoration.
YOU CAN EARN:
MARKSMANSHIP BADGE is a military badge of the US Army which is presented to soldiers upon successful completion of a weapons qualification course. It is issued in the following three grades (highest first): Expert, Sharpshooter, and Marksman. Army recruits can not exit initial training until a qualification of at least Marksman has been obtained. Suspended from it are component bars that indicate the specific weapons the soldier is qualified for. Only three marksmanship badges are authorized for wear at one time, and each may only have up to three component bars. Component bars are authorized in the following weapons (listed with exact inscription): Rifle, Pistol, AA Artillery, Auto Rifle, Machinegun, Field Arty, Tank Weapons, Flamethrower, Submachine Gun, Rocket Launcher, Grenade, Carbine, Recoilless Rifle, Mortar, Bayonet, Small Bore Rifle, Small Bore Pistol, Missile, and Aero-weapons
DISTINGUISHED SHOT BADGE is a military badge of the United States military which was first created in 1903. The badge is intended to recognize those members of the military who have obtained an exceptional score at an official weapons shoot competition. Issued for both the rifle and pistol, to obtain the Distinguished Shot Badge a service member must be awarded thirty credit points when competing in the authorized excellence category of competition matches. The badge is a one time decoration and may be worn for the remainder of an individual’s military career. The decoration may be worn simultaneously with the standard marksmanship badge. Subdued and miniature versions are not authorized.
ARMY SERVICE RIBBON is a military decoration of the United States Army which was created in 1981. The Army Service Ribbon is awarded to any member of the U.S. Army (including Reserve and National Guard components) who complete "initial entry training." This includes Basic Training. ("Freebie"). Soldiers sometimes refer to the decoration such as the "Heartbeat and Respiration Medal," the "Army Hygiene Ribbon," the "Welcome to the Army Ribbon", and the "I Got a Job Ribbon". Due to the multicolor stripes' resemblance to the rainbow flag, it has also been mockingly referred to as the "Gay Pride Ribbon," the "Rainbow Warrior Ribbon," the "Rainbow Brite Award," the "Fruit Loop" and the "Cheer Bear Award."
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 active duty service on or after 11 September 2001 until a date yet to be determined. This is a "Freebie" also.
PHYSICAL FITNESS BADGE is an award of the United States Army and is presented to those soldiers who obtain a score of 270 (or higher, with a score of 90 or above in each event) on the 300-point scale of the Army’s physical fitness test. The Physical Fitness Badge is intended to recognize those who have excelled in physical fitness, which is one of the main areas of training for the United States military.
If you're an outstanding marksman, and hurry before going to Basic, you could earn the...
PRESIDENT'S HUNDRED TAB, a full-color embroidered tab of yellow 4 1/4 inches in length and 5/8 inch in height, with the word "President's Hundred" centered in 1/4 inch high green letters, is a badge awarded by the National Rifle Association to the 100 top-scoring military and civilian shooters in the President's Pistol and President's Rifle Matches. It is currently one of four permanent individual skill/marksmanship tabs authorized for wear by the U.S. Army. In order of seniority (based solely on length), they are the President's Hundred Tab, the Special Forces Tab, the Ranger Tab, and the Sapper Tab.
SOLDIER'S MEDAL is a military award of the United States Army. This medal is awarded for risking ones life to save another's. The medal is awarded in peacetime for actions of heroism held to be equal to or greater than the level which would have justified an award of the Distinguished Flying Cross if the act had taken place in combat, and involved actual conflict with an enemy. It was introduced by a law passed by U.S. Congress on July 2, 1926. The criteria for the medal are: "The Soldier's Medal is awarded to any person of the Armed Forces of the United States or of a friendly foreign nation who, while serving in any capacity with the Army of the United States, distinguished himself or herself by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy." (Army Regulation 600-8-22). Any American servicemember who is eligible for retirement pay will receive an increase of 10 percent in retirement pay, if the level of valor was equal to that which would earn the Distinguished Service Cross.
ARMY ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL is for "Meritorious service or achievement in either combat or noncombat based on sustained performance or specific achievement of a superlative nature but which does not warrant an ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL or higher." Award authority rests with local commanders, granting a broad discretion of when and for what action the Achievement Medal may be awarded.
And of course, if your Basic Training base is invaded...
PURPLE HEART is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after 5 April 1917 with the U.S. military. *Owch!*
And if you are snatched away to some God-forsaken country, then you can be awarded the...
PRISONER OF WAR MEDAL *YIKES!*. It may be awarded to any person who was a prisoner of war after April 5, 1917, (the date of the United States entry into World War I). It is awarded to any person who was taken prisoner or held captive while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing Armed Force; or while serving with friendly forces engaged in armed conflict against an opposing Armed Force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. Hostages of terrorists, and persons detained by governments in which the U.S. is not actively engaged in armed conflict are not eligible for the medal. The person's conduct, while in captivity, must have been honorable. This medal may be awarded posthumously (o.O) to the surviving next of kin of the recipient.
But I'm sure that you will be fine. Just keep your rifle clean...just in case ;-)
Magnoaldus
EDIT--
The Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon is for the Air Force only.
The Distinguished Graduate award is to only be given to graduates of the US Military Academy at West Point whose character, distinguished service, and stature draw wholesome comparison to the qualities that West Point strives for, in keeping with its motto: “Duty, Honor, Country.”
The Road Guard Ribbon is a colorful sash that you can use on your morning jogs...Just ask your Drill Sergeant for one :-)
Answered By: Magnoaldus - 12/3/2008 |