OAP - but at what cost? Defence budget spent on 'bling' can't be spent elsewhere & if the intention is to acknowledge those still in productive service & perhaps make them feel better about that service, even to the point of not leaving or signing on, then that might be considered money well spent. Dishing out medals to retired folk? Where's the 'return' for that?
A line was 'drawn in the sand' as to qualification, presumably to maximise the benefit to the MOD whilst minimising the expense & as with any line some people will be on the wrong side & unhappy, but you'll never please everybody - even giving medals to everybody alive whose ever served 15 years wouldn't do that judging by some of the opinions expressed here.
All 'Devil's advocacy' of course rather than personal opinion.