Need some help with identification of military stuff

[GodsEmbryo]

Need some help here. I'm trying to find out what these... "military bar-codes" actually mean (see picture). Yes, I could Google it, but I don't know what it's called. I know it has something to do with missions they were part of, but that's as far as I get.

Anyone?

 

[gunslingingbird]

Each one is an award for something. Different pins represent specific achievements, such as a feat during combat, or having served in a specific campaign.

 

[who???]

They are both campaign ribbons and medal awards.
Rather than wearing the entire medal due to size and weight, they also give just a ribbon so that everyone can see what medals you have won.
The colors correspond the the medal won.

Also, you earn them by serving in certain theaters.
The ones with the metal pieces in them indicate he has been awarded that one more than once.

 

[Red Spyder]

Here you go. Have fun!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Petraeus#Decorations_and_badges

 

[GodsEmbryo]

Each one is an award for something. Different pins represent specific achievements, such as a feat during combat, or having served in a specific campaign.

They are both campaign ribbons and medal awards.

Thanks folks :hatsoff:

Here you go. Have fun!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Petraeus#Decorations_and_badges

Ah... Why didn't I think of that and start at this general's page

Thanks

 

[Red Spyder]

Ah... Why didn't I think of that and start at this general's page

Maybe because Wikipedia isn't that reliable and like some of us would take whatever it says there with a ton of salt :dunno:

For all you know some smartass could have changed some of the meanings to be "medal for biggest dick taken up the ass" or something. Though I do think wikipedia to be a good starting point for whatever you're looking for, if not, a google search to see what else is there.

 

[squallumz]

from what i can see i see his:

canoeing
bird study
fire safety
fishing
motorboating
swimming
and textile merit badges.

 

[gunslingingbird]

"medal for biggest dick taken up the ass"

That honor rests on our very own lurkingdirk. :clap:

from what i can see i see his:

canoeing
bird study
fire safety
fishing
motorboating
swimming
and textile merit badges.

There's also orienteering and basket weaving. I think he also has the one for folklore, but it's partly hidden by the red arrow.

 

[Mayhem]

Off Topic: I had a friend (who passed away back in '95) who was a 4-tour Vietnam Vet in the Special Forces. After 7 years in the Army, Operation Dese rt Storm, and a tour in Korea; I had more ribbons on my uniform than he did. Utter fucking madness. I was actually ashamed.

I have no idea what the system is like now, but it was such a ribbon-fest back when I was in. Of course, please understand that I am 100% behind anything/everything the poor bastards that have been slugging away futilely can get for themselves. But after the dinky little 4 day war I was in, they basically backed the ribbon truck up to every soldier that so much as got sand in his boots. (My parents have my Kuwait Liberation Medal hanging by a thumbtack in their TV room)

 

[fkknuckle]

The only one that actually matters is the Bronze Star with "V" device but those seem to be handed out nowadays......fucking shame

 

[GodsEmbryo]

The only one that actually matters is the Bronze Star with "V" device but those seem to be handed out nowadays......fucking shame

What would be the most important ribbons?

but it seems Mayhem is right. Since my OP I discovered so many kind of ribbons practically given for all kinds of stuff, that it actually lost it's initial purpose I think. When I started this thread my goal was to investigate some pictures where I had no name or anything to go on. All the ribbons, badges, uniforms, flags... on those pictures would tell me a story. And it did.
Now, if the purpose of these ribbons is to tell the career of someone it seems to do a good job. But if the ribbons are meant to distinguish someone from the rest, it gets unclear.

 

[fkknuckle]

Your ribbons are your resume in the military. Some dudes opt to wear just their top three but I always wear the whole rack especially when going to important conferences and such because people see that you have been around and You Might know what you are talking about.

 

[Mayhem]

What would be the most important ribbons?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awards_and_decorations_of_the_United_States_military


BTW....many on this board have watched the Band of Brothers series. These guys, and guys like them, didn't get awarded squat for all they were through. If you take the events in the series and set it to todays military environment, 5 possibly 6 full rows of ribbons. But Shifty, Webster, Guarnere got out of there with maybe a row and a half. Just sayin'.