US Army medal standards

National Defense? It's an automatic award for active duty service during certain periods, including right now.
 
Ok. I got one for the short bit I was in, and I was baffled by it. I "used to have" a friend that was USAF, and he smarted off that I didn't earn it. I didn't know for sure anything about it, and when I talked to a local retired army SFC, and he said "you earned it because the army said you earned it, be damned proud you earned it, and don't listen to anything some pencil-pushing wanna-be jet jockey says, 'cause he ain't army and he don't know jack ****!"

I just wish I had earned the right to wear a Class A uniform. But it's far more than uniform really, I just wish like hell I made it through and served the whole period. :(
 
So you never wore Class A's? Even in inspections? If you served you earned that privelege and should have worn them at least for graduation from Basic.
 
Here is the specific criteria for the NDSM:

Criteria: a. The National Defense Service Medal was awarded for honorable active service for any period between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954; between 1 January 1961 and 14 August 1974; between 2 August 1990 and 30 November 1995 and between 11 September 2001 and a closing date to be determined. For the purpose of the award, the following persons will not be considered as performing active service:

(1) Guard and Reserve forces personnel on short tours of duty to fulfill training obligations under an inactive duty training program.

(2) Any person on active duty for the sole purpose of undergoing a physical examination.

(3) Any person on temporary active duty to serve on boards, courts, commissions and like organizations or on active duty for purposes other than extended active duty.

(4) A one time only exception, for members of the Army National Guard and United States Army Reserve, who were part of the selected reserve in good standing, was authorized, per executive orders 12778, dated 18 October 1991, for the period 2 August 1990 to 30 November 1995.

b. The National Defense Service Medal may be awarded to members of the Reserve Components who are ordered to Federal active duty, regardless of duration, except for the categories listed above. Any member of the Guard or Reserve who, after 31 December 1960, becomes eligible for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal or the Southwest Asia Service Medal is also eligible for the National Defense Service Medal.

c. To signify receipt of a second or subsequent award of the NDSM, a bronze service star will be worn on the service ribbon by U.S. Army personnel so qualified. Second or third award of the NDSM is authorized for soldiers who served in one or more of the four qualifying time periods. It is not authorized for soldiers who met the criteria in one time period, left active duty and returned during the same period of eligibility.

d. Cadets of the U.S. Military Academy are eligible for the NDSM, during any of the inclusive periods listed above, upon completion of the swearing-in ceremonies as a cadet.

e. The NDSM may be issued posthumously.

REFERENCE
 
Then he most likely dosen't rate an NDSM depending on the character of service. ELS does not rate NDSM.
 
No I havn't graduated basic.

I called JAG at Ft.Carson and asked them. After a few dozens referrals I spoke to a guy in some office (I can't even remember it, but can dig it up), he asked about the character and chapter as stated on my DD214, and he said "you earned it. By the nature of the Chapter you gave, if you were in for only 25 hours, you would have earned it."
 
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