Favorite Arc Pin/Skill Tab

[El Supremo]

I take a lot of pride in the fact that i've earned the Rappeling arc pin (even though i loathe rappeling, especially the Australian rappel), and my Honor Guard arc pin.

Heres a list of the Arc Pins i've earned in order:

Drill Team
Color Guard
Regulation
Sabre Team
Honor Guard
Cadet Challenge
Summer Camp
Orienteering
Rappeling

How about the rest of the cadets, or any veterans whom are proud of the real awards(as opposed to the cadet's Arc Pins); the Skill tabs.

[armysc_25b]

How are skill tabs more so a "real" award than the National Defense Service Medal, per say? I suggest you get your opinions straight about what's a real award and what's not. Each individual places a value on their award set, and some would consider of high value items that many don't. To me, my NDSM & GWOTSM mean something because they signify I volunteered to serve during our current operations. Mind you, these aren't even my highest awards, and they mean more to me than the accomplishments that warranted my 5 Army Achievement Medals.

[El Supremo]

How are skill tabs more so a "real" award than the National Defense Service Medal, per say? I suggest you get your opinions straight about what's a real award and what's not. Each individual places a value on their award set, and some would consider of high value items that many don't. To me, my NDSM & GWOTSM mean something because they signify I volunteered to serve during our current operations. Mind you, these aren't even my highest awards, and they mean more to me than the accomplishments that warranted my 5 Army Achievement Medals.

Sir, I never insinuated that the skill tabs merited above your medals. I meant the Military's skill tabs were more "Real" than the Corps of Cadet's arc pins; because JROTC cadets can't wear skill tabs, should mean that the real merit is with those contracted with the Military, and those who already serve the Military.

Perhaps I should change the title of this post to the "Pride of Awards" then?

[soccermark23]

Sir, I never insinuated that the skill tabs merited above your medals. I meant the Military's skill tabs were more "Real" than the Corps of Cadet's arc pins; because JROTC cadets can't wear skill tabs, should mean that the real merit is with those contracted with the Military, and those who already serve the Military.

Perhaps I should change the title of this post to the "Pride of Awards" then?

You want to make sure that you are clear and concise when you post things. This way people know exactly what you mean as opposed to leaving it very open to interpretation. As for me, I'd say I'm most proud of my Senior Maintenance Badge and my Iraq Campaign Medal.

[Billyd]

I would have to say that behind my retiree pin, that I wear everyday, my Sr Maintenance Badge. That badge tells those around that you are the Subject Matter Expert in your work area. When you earn this badge, you become the "go to guy," the "Pro from Dover." That award is akin to being a Craftsman in other trades.

[ang1sgt]

For me, Retiring as a First Sergeant to take "MY DIAMOND" into retirement with me, meant the most. In the USAF, you can only wear the Diamond as a Current First Sergeant or if you retire from the USAF in that position. Next would be my NDSM with TWO Stars.

[TruBlu]

We don't have arc pins, but are looking into them in our unit. What we do have, like every other unit, is the Distinguished Cadet Badge. This badge is worn by only one cadet in the entire corps. I've received this within my corps and take pride in that. When I wear my light blue uniform (the uniform we wear the most), I wear rank, my name tag, and that, because its enough said really. That's my little "claim to fame" so to speak in my unit.

[flyBoy2010]

We don't have arc pins, but are looking into them in our unit. What we do have, like every other unit, is the Distinguished Cadet Badge.

We don't even have the Distinguished Cadet Badge. We only have "Drill Team", "Sabre Team", "Color Guard", "Honor Guard", and "Summer Camp." We have actually run out of Sabre Team and Color Guard pins, but are thinking about replacing those and expanding our collection.

[pingjocky]

I think my most valued award would be my Recruit Training Service Ribbon. It's very low on the order of precedence, but it means the most to me. It's an award that you don't see very often, because very few people actually earn it. It shows that I completed a successful tour as a Recruit Division Commander...in doing that, I upheld the highest standards of the Navy, and turned civilians into Sailors. I am very proud to say that I was a "Red Roper."

R/
Pingjocky

[El Supremo]

Outside of the arc pins, my favorite award is my Distinguished Cadet Meddalion. Which is awarded to Cadets who placed first in their region. Meaning in Area 9, Sixth Brigade, in the state of Georgia, at JCLC I had the highest scores overall out of 631 cadets; in AJROTC. In our division we don't compete with other service branches of JROTC.

[dtpugs]

I do not have any medals in AJROTC yet. In Civil Air PAtrol, though, I am most proud of my Ground Team Badge.

[Drill for life]

I am proud of every one of my awards. I am most proud of my PT exellence and cadet challenge tabs, because I am the only person in my unit who has it. I have the most ribbons in my unit, four more ribbons than my BNCO.

[PhilK]

I have the most ribbons in my unit, four more ribbons than my BNCO.

That and a few bucks will get you a cup of coffee.

Cadets, I know you are proud of your chest candy, but keep in mind, the day you graduate....no one cares. If you go on into a Senior ROTC unit, you start at the bottom. If you go into one of the Armed Forces, you start at the bottom.

Keep things in perspective. (which would go nicely with a bottle of Cheval Blanc 1947.)

[TruBlu]

That and a few bucks will get you a cup of coffee.

Cadets, I know you are proud of your chest candy, but keep in mind, the day you graduate....no one cares. If you go on into a Senior ROTC unit, you start at the bottom. If you go into one of the Armed Forces, you start at the bottom.

Keep things in perspective. (which would go nicely with a bottle of Cheval Blanc 1947.)

Indeed, and in the actual military, its a bit harder to receive your awards. JROTC is simple for awards (not downplaying any award out there or the number that you have, its a fact). Basically, you do well in school, do your duties, and make yourself presentable, you will have a nice fruit salad slapped on your chest after a year or two. Even the highest achievable ones (except maybe valors, those are truly something to hold dear to your heart) don't mean much. Just be aware of who you are around when talking about your awards, I've seen some cadets really get shot down by active or retired military because they were talking about how good or how much they do.

[ArmyJrotc Raider]

My Raider Arc, my one and only tab, is one I am extremely proud of it because I worked super hard for it.

[Drill for life]

That and a few bucks will get you a cup of coffee.

Cadets, I know you are proud of your chest candy, but keep in mind, the day you graduate....no one cares. If you go on into a Senior ROTC unit, you start at the bottom. If you go into one of the Armed Forces, you start at the bottom.

Keep things in perspective. (which would go nicely with a bottle of Cheval Blanc 1947.)

I do keep things in perspective. I was awarded the Medal of Heroism(I know it's not on my rack) I don't wear it. I am not proud of it. I am proud of how I earned it though. JROTC Raider I am very proud of my Raider tab to, I had to learn both sides of the rope bridge and had to make a 300 on my PT test to get it.

[TruBlu]

I do keep things in perspective. I was awarded the Medal of Heroism(I know it's not on my rack) I don't wear it. I am not proud of it. I am proud of how I earned it though. JROTC Raider I am very proud of my Raider tab to, I had to learn both sides of the rope bridge and had to make a 300 on my PT test to get it.

Just wondering, but why wouldn't you want to display your Medal of Heroism, that's like an AFJROTC cadet not displaying his/her Valor awards? I did a little research on it, and its something to be truly proud of. I'm just wondering that's all.

[Drill for life]

I really didn't save someone's life I just risked my own. We where at the west side of my school building at Raider practice and a LET 1 was tying his swiss seat in the road, a car was coming and the cadet didn't hear it so I pushed the kid out of the way. I don't think I deserve it. My SAI was going to present it to me at a School assembly and I said no and he gave it to me privately in his office. He's making me wear it to competitions and at our inspection. I'm going to put it on my rack and let my Jacket Lapel cover it. I am proud of what I did, I did what anybody else would have done and I don't think I should've been rewarded for it.

[TruBlu]

I really didn't save someone's life I just risked my own. We where at the west side of my school building at Raider practice and a LET 1 was tying his swiss seat in the road, a car was coming and the cadet didn't hear it so I pushed the kid out of the way. I don't think I deserve it. My SAI was going to present it to me at a School assembly and I said no and he gave it to me privately in his office. He's making me wear it to competitions and at our inspection. I'm going to put it on my rack and let my Jacket Lapel cover it. I am proud of what I did, I did what anybody else would have done and I don't think I should've been rewarded for it.

Well, you may have saved his life. What if you had not acted? Be proud of what you did, you deserve the award, you really do. Modesty and self denial are two different things, and I think for some strange reason you suffer from the latter, but on the outside it looks like modesty. That's just my thought to it. But really, be proud of it and wear it like you mean it. If you don't mean it, just don't wear it, but there is a reason why your instructor wants you to display it, because he believes that you truly deserve it.

[Drill for life]

I think he just wants me to wear it to make the unit loook good. A ribbon you earn in the military is something, nothing that we earn as cadet's mean anything(even though we have worked hard for our rainbow). I am proud to wear each of my ribbbons, and you are right I am in Self-Denial even though I think I'm modest. I am very proud to wear my Scottish-Rite medal, I am the only person in my unit who has it. I used to not like it but I do know.

[TruBlu]

I think he just wants me to wear it to make the unit loook good. A ribbon you earn in the military is something, nothing that we earn as cadet's mean anything(even though we have worked hard for our rainbow). I am proud to wear each of my ribbbons, and you are right I am in Self-Denial even though I think I'm modest. I am very proud to wear my Scottish-Rite medal, I am the only person in my unit who has it. I used to not like it but I do know.

Scottish Rite is a cool medal, that's one that I had hoped for. I see what you are saying about making a unit look good. I've talked to plenty of cadets who have fruit salads that look more like fruit forests because their requirements for each ribbon are set at such a low level, and that's because the instructors like to dish out awards (that's what they said not what I think). I guess you should wear what you think you deserve, and if you don't want to pin an award to your chest, so be it.

Just think on this: Would the cadet that you saved want you to wear that award? If so, you most certainly deserve it and should wear it, or at least the accompanying ribbon if not the medal.

[PhilK]

and if you don't want to pin an award to your chest, so be it.


Ok...quick story.

One of my mentors growing up is a retired LTC. Three tours in Vietnam, stationed all over the place, etc. He started in a position where they wore Class B's everyday and he would only wear his Army Good Conduct Medal ribbon. (He was prior enlisted and went OCS)

One day his boss said "Cain, I know you have more awards then that, if I don't see them on your uniform tomorrow I can arrange it so you can become enlisted again."

So, the next day my mentor walks in with four ribbons on his chest. His Silver Star (with Oak Leaf cluster), his Purple Heart (with two Oak Leaf clusters), his Bronze Star (with V device and two Oak Leaf clusters) and his Army Good Conduct. His boss never said anything to him again about wearing all his awards.

I always get a chuckle out of that story.

[TruBlu]

Ok...quick story.

One of my mentors growing up is a retired LTC. Three tours in Vietnam, stationed all over the place, etc. He started in a position where they wore Class B's everyday and he would only wear his Army Good Conduct Medal ribbon. (He was prior enlisted and went OCS)

One day his boss said "Cain, I know you have more awards then that, if I don't see them on your uniform tomorrow I can arrange it so you can become enlisted again."

So, the next day my mentor walks in with four ribbons on his chest. His Silver Star (with Oak Leaf cluster), his Purple Heart (with two Oak Leaf clusters), his Bronze Star (with V device and two Oak Leaf clusters) and his Army Good Conduct. His boss never said anything to him again about wearing all his awards.

I always get a chuckle out of that story.

I love it! That's good stuff. What was he doing, like job wise, and who was his boss?

[PhilK]

I love it! That's good stuff. What was he doing, like job wise, and who was his boss?


I think he was already a O-5 by that point and was working for some O-6. I'm not sure what his assignment was at the time.

[flyBoy2010]

That was a good story. My SASI is sort of like that. We all know that he has won many awards, from old pictures, etc. The only time we see him wearing any of them is at the annual Awards Banquet, and even then there are fewer than the old pictures.

[TruBlu]

That was a good story. My SASI is sort of like that. We all know that he has won many awards, from old pictures, etc. The only time we see him wearing any of them is at the annual Awards Banquet, and even then there are fewer than the old pictures.

My SASI wears his ribbons with only his service dress (only worn at the awards banquet for us also) and never wears his medals. He always wears his wings though, no matter what uniform.

[Drill for life]

Ok...quick story.

One of my mentors growing up is a retired LTC. Three tours in Vietnam, stationed all over the place, etc. He started in a position where they wore Class B's everyday and he would only wear his Army Good Conduct Medal ribbon. (He was prior enlisted and went OCS)

One day his boss said "Cain, I know you have more awards then that, if I don't see them on your uniform tomorrow I can arrange it so you can become enlisted again."

So, the next day my mentor walks in with four ribbons on his chest. His Silver Star (with Oak Leaf cluster), his Purple Heart (with two Oak Leaf clusters), his Bronze Star (with V device and two Oak Leaf clusters) and his Army Good Conduct. His boss never said anything to him again about wearing all his awards.

I always get a chuckle out of that story.
That is real cool. Me and my friends are sure my AI has a Bronze Star with V device, silver star, DSC and all other kind of personal Valor awards but the highest medal he wear is the Meritous Service Medal. Me and my friend(our Battalion SGT MAJ) where walking and he was asking me why I didn't wear my Medal of Heroism and I told him that if I was awarded a Bronze Star or another Personal Valor decoration in the Marine Corps I would wear it on everything. I am going to wear the Medal of Heroism Lapel Pin as a Tie Tac on my Class B's. That should please my SAI, nobody even knows what it's for anyway, why should I flaunt it.

[Drill for life]

Oh forgot to post this also, when we go to do Juniort Achivemant I only wear a couple of ribbons(raiders,color guard, and drill team). I wish I had been awarded the Commedation ribbon instead of the Medal of Heroism.

[C/SSGT Seifer]

Heres a list of the Arc Pins i've earned in order:

Drill Team
Color Guard
Regulation
Sabre Team
Honor Guard
Cadet Challenge
Summer Camp
Orienteering
Rappeling



Does each battalion have its own set of arcs? Here is what we use.

Academics
Drill Team
Color Guard
Raider (I knew I forgot something, thanks Drill For Life.)
Cadet Challenge
Orienteering
PT Excellence
Summer Camp

Anyway I love my Color Guard Arc (and the cord as well.) I should have an Academic arc as well but we don't have any in stock.

[Drill for life]

Oh forgot to post my Arc/Tabs.
Drill Team
Color Guard
Raider
Flag Detail
Summer Camp
Cadet Challenge
Rappelling
PT excellence
I am getting two academic awards on Wednesday.