Flap/Seldom
Nobody requires you to claim for the medals for which you qualify. If you don't feel that you have earned the right to wear them that is your, personal, decision. However, the MOD believes that you have qualified. Don't berate the individuals that are happy to accept the MODs definition.
Campaign medals are just that, recognition that an individual was involved in a campaing in some manner. All the "spam" medals issued after WWII were campaign medals of some form. Not all the guys wearing the Burma Star were fighting in the jungle with the Chindits, does that make their contribution to the campaign any less worthwhile? The vast majority of the gallantry medals will be won, quite rightly, by the guys at the "teeth" end of deployed forces. These medals are the ones that are looked on with respect, campaign medals are just longer lasting T-shirts, nonetheless, I like the T-shirt thank you.
However we try and define the qualification for a particular campaign medal there will be winners and losers. Campaign medals are an established part of UK military tradition and have been used since the Crimea I believe (standing by to be corrected) Just because you guys don't think that individauls should get them unless they've been shot at (how close does the bullet have to get), doesn't make it right.
Daf
Last edited by Daf Hucker; 9th Aug 2010 at 06:49.
Reason: Should have used a spill chocker