Not crass, just trying to resist the charge to get as many medals as we can. Remember when we used to laugh at our colonial cousins for row upon row of medals for 1000hrs in the BX? We're not far behind them. And it's hardly fair to compare a 39-45 medal with one earned for 30 days in starbucks.
At the end of the day the job is done for pride and professional reward - if it comes down to "why didn't I get my medal" then you really have lost the plot.
Perhaps you can change my mind? Can you please tell me why someone who spends 30 days in any theatre doing the job they signed up to do is deserving of a medal? Answers such as "it's always been that way" will not be accepted.