I'm not blindly supporting the status quo. I have a good understanding of the enormous pressure Innsworth found itself under with TELIC and HERRICK to ascertain eligibility and process requests- and this for two fairly small operations with good records still in place to process them.
To open the floodgates of every single person who has served 15 years or more and the inevitable legal challenges that will come from Rankers denied the award previously, will place an incredible strain on a very small organisation and cause a huge bottleneck that could last for many many years while this is sorted out.
Its not getting ridicule except from people who seem peeved that they've not gotten it. Everywhere else seems to be a resounding 'meh' at worst, or 'oh thats nice'. Ultimately all medals have a start date criteria, someone will always dip in, and others will not get one - if you want one that badly then buy one, otherwise just accept that on this occasion you've been unlucky and move on - there are more important things in life to worry about.