I don't understand this picture.

[RED]

Is it just me that finds a problem here?

https://twitter.com/Braves/status/1001163984253390848

These high school kids have more awards and ribbons than guys I knew that had 150 combat missions and things like Air Medals and bronze stars. My Dad had 4 battle stars in WWII and my father in law suffered injuries in Korea that wound up killing him when he was 41, and neither one of them had as many ribbons and awards as this kid, Has the USMC become so PC that they hand out "participation," awards?

[Major Tom]

When I was in 'Nam, it infuriated me when a high ranking officer "visited" a problem area, they were awarded medals as tho they actually fought the battle.

[Roadkingtrax]

Couldnt have anything to do with nearly 20 years of repetitive deployments to SWA in support of the GWOT?

These guys have seen way more combat than the over advertised "Greatest Generation". Id recognize that before complaining about what you didnt get.

[bruce]

Looked at the link. What's the problem? Sincerely. bruce.

[Vern Humphrey]

The "kid" in question is a platoon sergeant, who has served in combat in the 101st Airborne Division, among other assignments.

[RED]

The "kid" in question is a platoon sergeant, who has served in combat in the 101st Airborne Division, among other assignments.

Now that you mention it, I did note the gold wings, and I am sure these 16 - 17 year old high school students and Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps candidates have been to deployed SWA and had tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

[JB White]

Are we looking at the same thing? All I saw was ROTC, and there have always been kids who worked to earn decorations more so than the rest.

[TomSudz]

I'm seeing the same thing JB is. I doubt any of the ribbons have anything to do with "20 years of repetitive deployments" because I don't think any of those shown in uniform have reached 20 years of age. And none of them are wearing GWOT, OIF, or OEF ribbons. Vern, where do you get the 101 affiliation from? I see nothing on the Marine JROTC uniform that would tell me that. Maybe I'm seeing different pictures.

[m1ashooter]

I'm seeing a few squared away young men who are involved with a JROTC Unit at their high school. These programs are run by retired NCO's and officers. They earn awards and decorations for participation and academics. My son was very active in his AFJROTC unit at school. His ribbon rack and academic awards made him look like a North Korean General when he was done. He currently serves his nation as a 20 year old Bosun Mate 3rd Class in the USCG.

JROTC programs are great. If a young person is interested in enlisting and they have completed 4 years of JROTC then they can enlist up to E3 in certain branches.

[leftyo]

rotc kids get ribbons and medals for everything and anything, and have for a very long time. pretty much like the cub scouts.

[Vern Humphrey]

I'm seeing the same thing JB is. I doubt any of the ribbons have anything to do with "20 years of repetitive deployments" because I don't think any of those shown in uniform have reached 20 years of age. And none of them are wearing GWOT, OIF, or OEF ribbons. Vern, where do you get the 101 affiliation from? I see nothing on the Marine JROTC uniform that would tell me that. Maybe I'm seeing different pictures.

The picture I saw has a platoon sergeant, with both 101st Airborne Division and XVIII Airborne Corps badges. I didn't see any JROTC kids.

[blackhawknj]

IIRC ribbons earned in ROTC are not worn on active duty.
I am more irked by senior NCOs-and officers-with rows and rows of "fruit salad" for staff service and rear echelon duty.
"The General got the Croix de Guerre, parlez-vous?
The General got the Croix de Guerre, parlez-vous?
The General got the Croix de Guerre
But the son of a gun was never there
Hinky dinky parlez-vous?"

[RED]

I was unaware there is or ever was a high school USMC, Junior ROTC, program. What I saw was a very young guy wearing what appeared to be USMC Dress blues and sporting 5 rows of ribbons, a set of jump wings and 3 medals. I recognized none of the medals or ribbons. He was being saluted as a true hero but to me it all just looked fake. I looked it up and some of the ribbons were for things like Sportsmanship, Drug Demand Reduction, Attendance, Drill Team Participation and etc. The three round insignias on his shoulders indicate he is a Cadet Captain and has apparently done very well in school.

Good for him! I hope he goes on to college and becomes a officer in the USMC, but to me it looked like some kind of a joke and was disrespectful to folks like the Major, Goo and Vern that earned real medals and not Attendance ribbons.

[TomSudz]

The picture I saw has a platoon sergeant, with both 101st Airborne Division and XVIII Airborne Corps badges. I didn't see any JROTC kids.

OK. Thanks Vern. We were (somehow) looking at different pictures. There weren't any NCO's in the pictures the link took me to.

[m1ashooter]

I had the opportunity to attend many JROTC events in the Houston metro. It was amazing to see all kinds of young people squared away. JROTC units are not made up of the jocks or the schools popular kids. Many are the ones that would get picked last to join sides in gym class. I tell you I was impressed to see them drilling during the various events. The pride you would see in these young people is amazing.