| I don't normally respond to this type of a thread but in this case I'll just say that I don't feel it's my place to judge whether or not somebody deserves whatever award they're wearing. I'll admit I'm not familiar with many of the awards of other countries' military awards. I am familiar with many of the major awards and anyone wearing them deserves my respect. I noticed no mention of the Purple Heart, I am familiar with what it takes to be awarded one of those and I'd like to add that to the list of respected awards mentioned here.
If the Aussies aren't as liberal with awards than the Americans, then that's their business. I'm sure that the USMC is a bit more stingy than the USAF for example but that still doesn't diminish any of their individual abilities or achievements. Individuals have their accomplishments in peace and in war. I think there's really nothing wrong with an award as a goal to improve an individual's performance. Pats on the back work, as do challenge coins, ribbons and so forth. They serve to motivate and there's no military in the world that doesn't value a motivated soldier. |