Wearing Your Medals With Your Kilt

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Yeah. What he said.

I did six years in the Navy punching holes in the ocean. I got a good conduct ribbon - this despite certain in-your-face comments to the captain that kept me from getting to E5 when I should have. I got a marksmanship ribbon with the E device because it was so cold that day that I couldn't twitch the trigger. I got a Battle E ribbon because the ship was efficient (twice). And I got a Navy Sea Service Ribbon for punching the aforementioned holes.

Woo who.

But I also got my Dolphins and Detergent Patrol Pin. These I wear on Veterans Day because these mean something to me. The earning of them made me one of that special group of men who go down in the sea in submarines.

I think it's important for all who have done military service to, on these celebratory days, wear something that shows that we did do good service. Not so much for civilians, they don't understand, but for each other. Who knows, you might find a new friend.

But am I Veteran. Nah. I joined the Navy for absolutely selfish reasons. There was no sacrifice on my part. Besides: "We can't all be heroes because somebody has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by." -- Will Rogers (for whom, by the way, my submarine was named)

Ah... a fellow submariner. Check the signature line. No pocket rocket here though... fast attack tough all the way. Probably won't ever get the chance to go 3 knots to no where.
I sport my fish as a kilt pin on occasion, and wear them on my cavalier hat at Ren faires.

I've heard some vets sneer at the National Defense Service Medal (given to everyone who serves during a period of national emergency, even if you don't see any combat or even overseas service at all). I never do, even though I did serve in combat.

The NDSM shows that one either 1) volunteered to serve or 2) responded willingly when the nation called. By doing so he (or she) took on all the risks that might come his way, served where he was sent to go, and did what he was sent to do, whether it was combat or not. Same for the Good Conduct Medal, even if the time wasn't in an emergency.

All gave some, some gave all.

So I would encourage all who may only have one medal, to wear it proudly. I'll shake your hand, brother.

Not only do I have the MDSM, I have a bronze star on the puppy. That signifies that I have earned it not once, but twice. I'm but a month short of hitting my 14 year mark. I volunteered and I am still making the sacrifices that come with the job.
Additionally, I have earned in my time in the Navy the following awards:
Advanced to E6 in a little over 6 years (put it on in June '00).
I've earned 1 Battle Efficiency, 2 Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medals, Good Conduct medal with 3 bronze stars (signifies 4 awards), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, a Sea Service ribbon with 2 bronze stars (3 awards total), the Arctic Service ribbon (I really want to add the Antarctic Service Ribbon), and two Navy Exhibitionary Medals.
I hardly ever wear any of them, as my job never has me in a uniform that calls for them. I never wear them in civilian clothes, as I find it a bit gaudy. And in my entire career, I've managed to dodge ever having to don Full Dress Blues.
My hope is to eventually get the USN tartan Hillwalker kilt from Alexis Malcolm, and get permission to hit up a Submarine Birthday Ball in my Dinner Dress White jacket with the kilt. THAT would be a sweet ensemble.