So this weekend during my monthly reserve duty I found out I was authorized to wear the GWOT medal. Ok, bring up my ribbon maker website and order a new milthin ribbon rack. I print out a copy of my rack and my order confirmation page. I then contemplate the ribbons I am authorized to wear, wondering how low this new one will be set. Then I start thinking about what was needed to earn all the ribbons I have. It occurs to me: my lowest ribbon in order was the hardest earned. Huh...typical navy wisdom. This is how it breaks down;
NAM - I drove a forklift on my second cruise on the flight deck supporting HC-8 for vertreps. Nothing hard about it, just had to be consistant and accurate on your pallet drops for the helo. Staging of cargo on the flight deck isn't rocket science yet my divo nominated me for a NAM. NAM's are now kind of a "If you don't have one, you suck." kind of medal.
Battle "E" - I didn't do anything in particular but my job as a member of the crew. Not exactly a gimme ribbon but not too terribly difficult either.
GCM - Good conduct. Get up on time, make sure I'm groomed to specs and keep my nose clean. Another gimme.
NRMS - Reserve meritorious service ribbon. The GCM for reserves. See above.
NDM w/ bronze star - Sign up and you'll get one.
GWOTM - Was in uniform during the required period. Another gimme.
SSR w/ bronze star - Sea service ribbon. Did 2 and a half Med. cruises. Busted my bellybutton for 5 and a half months. Literally worked mulitple days straight with little sleep and ham sandwiches in between for 5 and a half months. There is no work like a SK on a cargo ship on a cruise. 2 - 3 days inport and mostly all I did was bring onboard supplies...all day long. Stand watches, pull cargo, stage cargo, tarp cargo, check accuracy of pulled cargo, stow cargo on and on and on. Definitely the most work for a ribbon or medal and yet it's the lowest on the ribbon rack. NOTHING comes even close to the sweat I poured out for that ribbon yet it's tail-end-Charlie. But of all ribbons and medals I am most proud of that one. It's a gimme for most but was a true ball buster for me.
