General Bell

sejongeb · #1 05-31-2006, 11:14 AM

Quote:

President Dechert announces that the Commander, UN Command and US Forces Korea, General B.B. Bell, US Army has become a Life Member of the Korean War Veterans Association. Dechert notes that this supports the mission of the KWVA and supports membership recruiting of contemporary service personnel engaged in the continuing defense of the ROK. KWVA records search indicates that this is the first time the ranking UN/US Commander serving in the Republic of Korea has become a member of the organization.

I found this while checking out the updates for various awards that I would like to obtain for service in Korea. THe KDSM was nice and came as a surprise, but I want (not only for myself

) for each and ever SM who is serving or has served in the ROK to be awarded the UNKM and the ROKSM. It's just a question of motivation in changing the award dates for the UNKM and for the JCS to accept the ROKSM has a foreign award. Now that Bell is a life member, he'll get first hand the news and read the complaints about these awards

.

My question to whoever read this thread is ' is a KDSM the only award we should receive for our service to our country and in the USFK'?

chucksnee · #2 05-31-2006, 05:54 PM

I have to tell you....I'm sick and tired of awards just being given away. You know how many awards i recieved just for the first war in 90-91...5 total and that was for just being there. That was not including the ARCOM i recieved. Do i feel i deserve them? Not really I was 500 Kilick down pipeline road way out in front of alot of people when the war started.

If you are here then you get the KDSM and not the overseas. Should we get another award just becasue we are here? IMHO not no but H$LL no!!! We as a military should re-think the award system anway.

Ask around to some of the people that have been over there in the last few years. People have gotten BRONZE stars, can you guess what they done? They pushed paper work back on the hard stand. I have a friend who FELL and cut his hand, can you guess what he got? A Purple Heart.

Awards are ment to be given when something is done the deserves an award.

Why should we get 2-3 awards for being over here in the ROK? We already get 1. That shouold be enough.

And not to mention that it costs me $$$$ every single time i have to change my Uniform...

Parisok · #3 06-01-2006, 01:27 AM

Evan when I was in they gave awards away every time we went to the field. My PLT SGT turned down an AAM for ARTEP because no recognition was given to his soldiers and he told the Col that his soldiers did the work as a team not him as an individuel. My son was hurt in Iraq when he was cut with a HUMVEE bumper that someone letgo of while he was welding. He did not get anything because of that except for the 2 in scar on his shoulder. In Vietnam they gave away awards too. I think they have their place but need to be controlled a little better. Will it happen probably not as I remember an e-7 in our S-1 that put himself in for an arcom after every field problem. There is a lot of abuse in the system but because of the amount of awards and lack of review at lower levels it cheapens the intent of the award.

sejongeb · #4 06-01-2006, 01:44 AM

While agree with you regarding the giving away of medals for anything and everything, I'm merely asking if the ROK government were to extend their token of appreciation to USFK troops (past and present) would that be acceptable? 2nd, UNC has been a major player in te ROK since 1950. I'll skip the geopolitical rhetoric here. But since we've technically served on a UN mission since 1954, we shoul receive the recognition. It would not be a case of giving away a award. After one year or however long a SM's tour is, the awards is there. Sort of a departure award.

How many SM do you know you've had several AR 15 and received their GCM? 5 when I was in country, 5 in CONUS and 3 in FDG. After seeing such nonsense, a GCM is a give awy award to me. Those of uswho kept our noses clean gets the thing in 3 years. In a since the award system should be reviewed.

Since the ROK was in a generous mood back in the day, the award wouldn't be given away if one complete's their tour of duty. We doing them a favor,whether or not some don't appreciate our presents. I guessing the give away started in Grenada. I seen several E-3's with combat patches and the equivalent awards on their chest than most O-5+. And for what? Less work than most who patrol the DMZ on any given day! Would it be appropriate to accept the ROKSM if the US/ROK reached some agreement?

Parisok · #5 06-01-2006, 03:02 AM

I think that if they want to give it and it is oked to weara foreign medal then more lettace for the chest. I have a lion that was given to me in Italy when I left and because it came from my soldiers It has ment more to me than any medal I have. As a matter of fact it is the only Military memorobilia I have here on my desk at work. If the medal was authorized for wear then yes but if you can not wear it than what is the use.

chucksnee · #6 06-01-2006, 05:46 AM

What you are explaing is what is happening.

If you have been to Korea, then you get that award? Correct? Past, Present and Future....

If you recieved an overseas ribbon for your Korea (1st) tour then you start out with KDSM.

I still go with to many awards are giving out.

As an old CSM said, "award" why? all you done was your job.

Parisok · #7 06-01-2006, 06:50 AM

chucksnee my son would agree with you not only because of the why but his view is another thing he has to keep track of for dress green inspection.

Hiker · #8 06-01-2006, 06:58 AM

It sounds like nothing has changed over the years. The awards sys has always been inflated. The one that has always been the real kick in the arse is the CIB. There are soldiers who are fighting along side a combat arms soldier and the one will receieve the CIB and the other will not. Soliders are always reminded they are soldiers first and speciality second.

sejongeb · #9 06-01-2006, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parisok

I think that if they want to give it and it is oked to wear a foreign medal then more lettace for the chest.

Thank you and I agree. I look at this as being invited to someone's home. If I visit someone and they offer me something to drink or to eat. It is repect and I will return the favor. If I don't receive anything, then the likelihood of me wanting to go back there again is extremely cut and in the back of my mind I'm thinking..'what a bum'.

If a host country wants to reward/thank/whatever US troops, then in my mind it should be at least recognized as a legit award. It's just the decent thing to do and a exercise in hospitality. Yes I think everyone who completed their tour of duty should receive this award from the ROK government. As far as what the Army issues is not the point. We all can recount probably numerous stories of excessive and manipulated awards. That is not the issue. It is the host government that should make the offer (again) and the UN as well.

chucksnee · #10 06-01-2006, 04:50 PM

If they want to give it then thats fine with me, but just giving and award because you are over here? You are already getting one, the KDSM. You want more awards for being over here? If that is the case then there should be another award for Japan, Germany, Egypt, Hondours, and the list goes on....

We can argue on and on about what is correct and not.

Awards don't make the Soldier, espically now adays. Getting 2-3 awards for 1 place is nuts.

Now if the Korean government gives you something for being over here like a non-military award then so be it. But now your getting into how much it costs and so on.

Forums	Arcade	Gallery	Links	Register	FAQ	Members List	Calendar
Classifieds	Articles	Quizzes	Search	Today's Posts	Mark Forums Read

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode