https://wellseasonedfool.blogspot.com/search?q=good+conduct+medal
At the time it was a practice in training units to appoint trainees as acting NCOs. Laying a hand on one was treated just like laying a hand on a real NCO. That was a sure fire trip to the stockade, at a minimum.
Some of these temporary NCOs forgot they wouldn't always have that protection. Like, at the end of the training cycle when we all went in transit. Most tried their best but, human nature being human nature, some reveled in their authority. Need I say when they lost those temporary stripes, scores were settled?
One positive. As I completed the balance of my enlistment, my actions were no threat to losing my Good Conduct Medal.
Despite my best efforts, I left the Green Machine a Specialist Fifth Class (E-5).
12 comments:
Always playing well with others. That is your lifetime.
Good of you to recognize.
I'm stunned.
No good conduct medals for you? None? Zero?
Huh.
Wonder why that is.
Hm.
LOL, no good conduct but no Article 15s, right? It's all good!
Ami
I detect in both you and Sisty the tiniest hint of sarcasm.
OldNFO
The First Shirt ran things. The CO was a ROTC finishing off his two year obligation and had other interests. Article 15s involve effort, at least in those days in the Green Machine. As an aside, the Acting Sgt who sent me off on KP was no longer an Acting NCO two days later. Soon after we had an interesting conversation in the latrine.
For me a Good Conduct Medal would the equivalent to the MHO for others. Just was not going to happen.
Spoke with the eldest boy this morning. He's very Army right now, which is good, but in that "don't fk with me" kinda way. Also good, until it isn't, obvs.
I told him to get his degree (associate will do) and move on to OCS. And if you don't like Signals coz it's too "autist" (his word)? Then reclass or whatev. Take all the schools you can and make the beast work for you.
Well, that was my advice.
Point of this rambling comment? Behave yourself, kid...
I know it's hard :)
CP
Typical sailor.
LSP
He will do well whatever way he goes. My "success" in the Army was based on one fact. Whatever job I was given got done. Often not by the "book" but done. Truth, I relished the tough assignments as a break from the mind numbing routine of guard duty, motor stables, and KP. Attended a two day film projection school. Certified as a post office/mail handler. Taught myself how to develop black and white film and print pictures. When the lone trained photographer rotated with no replacement, I filled in as needed. Flew as an armed (with ammo) payroll guard on a Huey to Bremerhaven once a month. The Army paid in cash then. Leadership's issues with me revolved around alcohol consumption and off Kaserne behaviors, never work or fulfilling my duties. Fighting, so long as weapons weren't involved, was ignored. Combat engineer companies were a world of their own from what others told me. Us, and cannon cockers.
LOL, yep 'temporary' rank can come back and bite people... ;-)
OldNFO
Some of the "temps" had a 14 day sea voyage with those they trained with.
Hand Salute to your late son.
My MOS was 45B, Small Arms Repair, by choice. It was easy for me to excel a my job because I loved doing it. I was stationed in West Germany in the mid 70's. Many of our officers and NCO's were Vietnam vets which helped keep the BS to a minimum.
My buddy and I (he also 45B) were SP/5's for about five hours. We were both promoted in the same morning formation. At noon we made our usual pass through the company orderly room to check our mail. Our !st Sarge was waiting and ambushed us in the hall. Locked our heels against the wall and gave us an "impassioned" lecture on proper wear of the uniform and why flip were we out of uniform. My buddy and I are eyeballing each other sideways--"What the flip did you do?". 1st Sarge has rolled up papers that he splits up and smacks against our chests, then walks down the hall cackling. New orders. Our MOS had just been changed to hard stripe, and we were now sergeants. So yeah, both of us made E5 in under three years.
My hitch ended in 1977. Got my discharge after three years IRR. Not long after, I was reviewing my records for some reason, and thought to read the qualifications for the Good Conduct Medal. I sent off a letter asking if I was qualified. Turns out I was. Got it in the mail in 1980. I have no idea who recommended me for it.
GCM
I believe the requirement was to receive an "Exc" note on your record each time you left a unit. That was in the 60's.
Our armorer was a good shooting buddy. The Rod and Gun Club had an arrangement to use a rifle range on Sundays. Our own ammo. One of our Sgts was a Campy Perry vet and enjoyed teaching us some of the finer points.
The early M-14 was a crappy weapon. Overheated. Fragile stock - broke at the butt stock if dropped. We serious shooters all bought .308 bolt action rifles with our own money. Wanted something to rely on if the balloon went up.
The Army didn't have a sniper program at the time. Just as well. I could shoot well enough but, to this day, am easily defeated by camouflage.
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