Sigh…

This…

Wouldn’t be a teacher today for all the tea in China… Nope…

This is what happens when kids never fail due to helicopter parents and participation trophies.

THESE were our ‘participation’ trophies back in the day, and those who are serving today.

 

 

Comments

Sigh… — 28 Comments

  1. I can beat you with an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for Korea from 1974 or so, the last year they were giving it for tours in Korea. To go along with the Vietnam Campaign with 70 device, and Service medals, I picked up for HHC 29th Sig Gp, 1st Sig Bde in Thailand 70-72.

  2. Never served, but had to do the crashed helicopter escape drills so I could work on the oil drilling & production platforms.

    “Stay buckled in your seat until the simulator is upside down and water has filled the cabin, then unbuckle and swim to the nearest exit. If you are first there, work out what kind it is, then open it and swim for the surface.”

    Fully clothed and in the dark.

    I have no idea how nobody drowned that day.

    • That was the point of “panic in a drum” training, to show that you could make it out if you reacted correctly as taught. As scary as the trainer was, the real deal would have been a lot scarier if it was the first time you got wet.

      • Totally agree!

        …and tough as that bit was, there were highlights – the lifeboat launch from 50 metres up into, and under, the harbour was better than any roller coaster ride.

  3. Hehe. I always called the NDSM the participation medal. I got the GWOT-S and the GWOT-E, right before they quit awarding the Expeditionary one in favor of the OIF/OEF campaign medals. I got one of those, too.

    That being said, there were times in college, mainly calculus, that made me miss being a dumbass grunt.

  4. McChuck- Excellent point!

    Ed- Agreed!

    C-90- OH yeah.

    PK/JMI- Thanks

    CP- You were there, that counts.

    MJ- You’re welcome.

    Sendarius- Yeah, fun wasn’t it! 😀

  5. I remember one social studies teacher. in ’79, a short tubby guy, picking up one of the students and physically throwing him out of the room.

    Door gunners, never mess with door gunners.

    The older I get, the more I think teachers need to be veterans. But then again, I am a grumpy old fart.

    Thank you all who served for your service. And remember, if you’ve served in Korea after the cease fire, you are still a veteran of the Korean War. Maybe one day, hopefully soon, that war will finally be over.

  6. If we’re doing challenge medals, I’ve got the World War II Army of Occupation Medal for service in Berlin (85-87). Beat THAT!

    • Would a Medal of Honor bet it?
      never got one, just asking.

      • Different kind of contest. This game is about service medals, not valor awards. I suspect the Big Joker would be the Antarctica Service Medal with Wintered Over clasp.

  7. Beans- Oh so true… Friend of mine, former HAL-3 door gunner, in his mid-70s, I STILL won’t screw with him… 🙂

    John- Dayum!!!

  8. Hey Old NFO;

    I got the Ormy of Occupation metal for Berlin from 1987 Field Station Berlin, and I got the SWA participation metal, LOL….Would do it all over again if I could.

  9. Hi Old NFO from “Old” skybill,
    Got’ the one on the left + the green and white one + the “Geedunk Medal!!”” Got a “Clasp on the Vietnam medal.. “Operation Bold Mariner” sometimes in the summer of ’68 ‘Nam Cruise on the “Sweet Pea!!!” I wouldn’t trade those daze for all the tea in China!! I lived them along with all my compadres!!!
    skybill
    PR-2 USN 05DEC66-23NOV70 Nam ’68, APOLLO X Pickup May’69.

    • APOLLO X,
      Yup we were there early AM’s I think it was 24 minutes from splash down to on the flight deck, fastest pick up to date…. somewhere’s around Pago Pago…. 2 Much FUN!!!!! Stafford, Cernan and Young!! Great Guys!!!
      skybill

  10. FIFY:

    https://i.imgur.com/eKDbvgH.jpg

    No charge.

    And a word to the original memester (whom I believe is not the bloghost hereabouts) or anyone else: spelling and grammar: actually a thing.
    If you can’t spell, don’t meme.

    @$$cheeks flapping in the breeze on the internet = not such a good look.

    Just saying.

    Original intended thought: 10/10

  11. drjim- 🙂

    Skybill- Outstanding! And thanks for picking those ‘wayward’ astronauts up…

    Aesop- There is that… sigh…