- Reaction score
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- Points
- 360
I joined in '82. It was rare to see anything besides a CD and a Cyprus gong.
In '88 I went to Iran and received the UNIIMOG medal.
In '90 I was promoted to Sgt and posted to an Air Force outfit. Whilst there, the base decided that they were going to ensure that all servicemen on the base had the correct ribbon bars for their uniforms. (I don't know what prompted this, perhaps the Base CWO had a bee in his bonnet).
Anyway, as CC of the unit, I dutifully sent a list of all our members, and their appropriate Medals/Decorations. There were a lot of CDs, not many Cyprus medals, a few MBs (SAR Techs), and little ole me with "UNIIMOG" beside his name.
A few weeks later I received a copy of my original list, accompanied by the appropriate ribbon bars - all present and accounted for - except MINE!! I checked the photocopied list and saw that my rank (Sgt) had been circled and someone had written "Sgt - No CD??" and the title "UNIIMOG" circled, followed by three question marks "???"
I eventually straightened it all out - yes indeed, I was a Sgt, yes indeed I did only have 8 years in, therefore no CD, yes indeed, there was such a mission as "UNIIMOG". I laugh now, but it ticked me off at the time.
Interestingly enough, about 1 month after qualifying for the CD I was charged (different unit by then), and had the charge happened a month earlier I would never have received the CD, as I was charged a few years later as well. (To quote The Shawshank Redemption - "I didn't do it. Lawyer f**ked me!" Anyway - different story).
In the ten years I served AFTER receiving my CD, I earned UNPROFOR, SFOR(3), SWASM w/Afghanistan Bar, and the CinC Unit Commendation (OK - I didn't earn it personally, my unit did). I was also (naturally) awarded the CFPSM, which I consider my only "gimme" - although I've heard arguments refuting that status.
It's interesting to note that in the first twelve years of my career, I was on two missions (back to back in UNIIMOG), and in the last ten I was on five.
The pace has certainly picked up - to quote a favourite songwriter of mine "The times, they are a changin"
And for the record - I did it because it was what I wanted to do - it was exciting, it was patriotic, it was what I was paid to do. It was NEVER for the "bling, bling", and it CERTAINLY was never for the money (which in the first few missions was negligible anyway).
FWIW
In '88 I went to Iran and received the UNIIMOG medal.
In '90 I was promoted to Sgt and posted to an Air Force outfit. Whilst there, the base decided that they were going to ensure that all servicemen on the base had the correct ribbon bars for their uniforms. (I don't know what prompted this, perhaps the Base CWO had a bee in his bonnet).
Anyway, as CC of the unit, I dutifully sent a list of all our members, and their appropriate Medals/Decorations. There were a lot of CDs, not many Cyprus medals, a few MBs (SAR Techs), and little ole me with "UNIIMOG" beside his name.
A few weeks later I received a copy of my original list, accompanied by the appropriate ribbon bars - all present and accounted for - except MINE!! I checked the photocopied list and saw that my rank (Sgt) had been circled and someone had written "Sgt - No CD??" and the title "UNIIMOG" circled, followed by three question marks "???"
I eventually straightened it all out - yes indeed, I was a Sgt, yes indeed I did only have 8 years in, therefore no CD, yes indeed, there was such a mission as "UNIIMOG". I laugh now, but it ticked me off at the time.
Interestingly enough, about 1 month after qualifying for the CD I was charged (different unit by then), and had the charge happened a month earlier I would never have received the CD, as I was charged a few years later as well. (To quote The Shawshank Redemption - "I didn't do it. Lawyer f**ked me!" Anyway - different story).
In the ten years I served AFTER receiving my CD, I earned UNPROFOR, SFOR(3), SWASM w/Afghanistan Bar, and the CinC Unit Commendation (OK - I didn't earn it personally, my unit did). I was also (naturally) awarded the CFPSM, which I consider my only "gimme" - although I've heard arguments refuting that status.
It's interesting to note that in the first twelve years of my career, I was on two missions (back to back in UNIIMOG), and in the last ten I was on five.
The pace has certainly picked up - to quote a favourite songwriter of mine "The times, they are a changin"
And for the record - I did it because it was what I wanted to do - it was exciting, it was patriotic, it was what I was paid to do. It was NEVER for the "bling, bling", and it CERTAINLY was never for the money (which in the first few missions was negligible anyway).
FWIW