I know National Servicemen have pressed for a medal, and then many awarded themselves a private gong. Many got real medals in Korea, some got GSM for Suez I think.
Some were stewards in the RAF in comfy billets in a UK posting.
Not all were equal.
The same applied to the Cold War regulars.
Some got GSM in NI, Cyprus, Aden, Malaysia etc and arguably not part of the Cold War, or were they? Do those in RAFG merit a different award from those in UK? Were all supporting personnel, and I only state RAF, in MC, SC, FTC Cold War warriors? Did operational aircrew in BC, FC, CC, merits a a special award different from TC?
Then the cost. Who pays? The cost of several thousand Arctic War medals was not inconsiderable but far less that had they awarded one to Bomber Command. Award one to all Cold War warriors? Unaffordable.