Global War On Terrorism Service Medal.

[T37Driver]

Lately I've been seeing some students wearing the GWOTSM. I'm wondering what's the criteria and who is authorized to wear it. Clearly the ensigns who are wearing them are OCS or ROTC guys. The only other ribbon they have is the National Defence.
Any help will be appreciated. Basically I don't want to wear it unless I'm authorized to do so.

 

[jamnww]

The GWOT is only authorized if the individual served in a capacity other than a school for 3 months or more. Those students could have done PTAD somewhere that would allow them to wear it.

Unless you worked somewhere for more than 3 months where you weren't a "student" (and therefore have a FitRep for it) I would say you don't qualify for it.

 

[Gatordev]

Also, was a GWOTSM or was it a GWOT ribbon thingy (don't remember the name). I was eligable for the ribbon since I was part of a deployable command, blah, blah, blah. But I can't wear the GWOTSM because I wasn't in country in a desert (despite providing Counter Narcoterrorism services).

 

[zab1001]

gator, I think you mean you're eligible for the GWOTSM, but not the GWOTEM (usually for areas designated for OEF/OIF).

 

[The Gooch]

Sitting on our butts one morning this summer, we read the ALMAR message in regards to the medal in an attempt to add some flair to our wings and McDonalds ribbon. The consensus we came up with is even if you are winged, done with "flight school", what-have-you, if you are still in training pre-fleet, you don't rate the medal. This is for the regular GWOT medal/ribbon. The award itself specifically mentions "MOS training" to include TBS, IOC, SOI, Flight School, and other programs where there is training to be had.

In summary, if you've been to the fleet, you rate it. If you are in the TraCom, pick it up and wait until you hit the fleet with a fleet-style job title. And for those of you who think it counts, the RAG does not.

 

[Gatordev]

gator, I think you mean you're eligible for the GWOTSM, but not the GWOTEM (usually for areas designated for OEF/OIF).

Touche. I think you're right. Whatever, I just buy the flair they tell me and then wait 2 years for it to get entered into my service record.

@Gooch:

I think you're right on. Personally, I'd probably hold off on even wearing the thing until at least I was deployed and actually doing something, but that's me.

 

[ChunksJR]

I think you're right on. Personally, I'd probably hold off on even wearing the thing until at least I was deployed and actually doing something, but that's me.

Gator,

I'd say if you are part of your homeguard (deployable, but not deployed) AND you don't suck, then you should wear it with pride...as you are ACTUALLY serving your deployed DETs...and if you do suck, you should reread the squadron's mission statement on your latest FITREP. Wow...I don't sound bitter right now, do I? IT's time for me to come home...

1 day and a wake up...Game, blouses.

~D

 

[zab1001]

I think you're right on. Personally, I'd probably hold off on even wearing the thing until at least I was deployed and actually doing something, but that's me.

He's dead on. Eligibility for stuff like that is listed over on BUPERS. I'd wager the USMC does the same thing.

(even for a medal lamer than National Defense...)

 

[Crowbar]

There's something in the MARADMIN that says that you aren't eligible until you complete all entry level training. So if you're in flight school, you haven't completed entry level training. If you were enlisted and got it before you got commissioned, that's a different story.

There are a lot of loopholes (for Marines anyway) on how to get it. Be attached to a unit that directly or indirectly supported the GWOT. If your unit got eligibility while you were attached to them, you probably did, too. The reserve unit that held onto my SRB while I was in college got the GWOTSM and did a mass entry of every SRB they had. So, it's in mine, but I won't wear it and I've been trying to get it removed. Why? I haven't directly contributed to the war on terrorism. Until I do, I'd feel like a cheesedick trying to wear it.

 

[Gatordev]

Eligibility for stuff like that is listed over on BUPERS. I'd wager the USMC does the same thing.

(even for a medal lamer than National Defense...)

Yeah, I was thinking of it from a Det concept, like Chunks was saying, even though the squadron as a whole is still eligable to wear it (per BUPERS).

 

[The Gooch]

You guys are all dead on. I know most of the junior Marines in my squadron wore it at the ball, because this was considered their "official" final MOS and they will only be working on jets for a few months before they hit a gun squadron...as for us 7507s (FRS AV-8B Types), we still have yet to earn the official 7509 MOS as a trained night attack guy. Its really a personal thing in whatever unit you are in...and yeah, there were a few of my bretheren--using that term in the loosest of ways--who also wore it and when asked why, made me glad I had a beer in each hand. Because I was thirsty, of course.

 

[Crowbar]

It's not about MOS. And it's certainly not about being there in a few months. It's about being eligible for it. And if their rationale is "I'll be in the fleet in a few months" their NCOs need to have a nice little talk with them.

And it's certainly not "a personal thing" either. Oh heavens, no, it's not "a personal thing". Hell if awards and campaign medals were "a personal thing" you could just wear whichever ones you thought looked cool.

 

[zab1001]

Hell if awards and campaign medals were "a personal thing" you could just wear whichever ones you thought looked cool.

and who in their right mind would pick the GWOTSM

(the NAM is pretty heinous as well)

 

[KBayDog]

and who in their right mind would pick the GWOTSM

(the NAM is pretty heinous as well)

Could be worse, my friend:

 

[zab1001]

speechless...is that the Army " i made it through Basic award" ?