Does anyone know what the requirements are for earning the National Defense Service Medal? Can West Point or USMAPS cadets earn it?

Well milper sates its for all service members serving in time of war or "missions for theater support. But being a officer there are better things that should be on your chest ie Airborne wings!

Hell I got my national defense by just graduating AIT. As a grad total you can get 3 ribbons upon graduations, Army Service Ribbon, Natl Def. and the Global War on Terrorism. Its hard for officers to get medals/ribbons. A specialist at my unit now has way more (and i mean WAY more) ribbons then a cpt. Its weird stuff i tells ya.

I'm reading the message right now:
(MILPER message #02-150 if you want to reference)

6. 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.

Inclusive periods are 27 JUN 50 to 27 JUL 54, 01 JAN 61 to 14 AUG 74, 02 AUG 90 to 30 NOV 95, and 11 SEP 01 to a date to be determined

Bleh, I just got disconnected before I posted my message and now I have to type it up again.
I'm going to give the short version this time.
A SFC conducted an section Class A inspection and told us we are allowed to wear a star on our NDSM. I didn't think that's true, but does any other previously deployed soldier know about this? I thought the MILPER message says it all, that every soldier gets it once, for every time frame they've served. We've only been in one, which is still not over.

Anyone has info on this matter please post it. So I can prove him wrong.

Well a star on the NDSM means its your second award. We were told in AIT that we could wear the ribbon. But on your DA 2-1 (personnel qual record), it didnt say I was awarded that medal. Im getting my first NDSM when I come off of deployment. The airforce and navy are awarded the medal when they graduate from basic. So I think we are [b:965b9e5d02]authorized[/b:965b9e5d02] to wear that medal because we are all serving in a time of war, but it is [b:965b9e5d02]awarded[/b:965b9e5d02] to us when we come off of deployment.

the NDSM was awarded to all service members starting from 11 Sep 01 to a future date. To wear this award just as the GWOTSM you have to be in the military on a certain date, orders are not given with them. If someone says you are not authorized to wear just find the MILPER message for them and cram it down there throat!

One of them nice little "If your breathing awards" somewhat like the GCM

I can't wait to get my Army Service Ribbon. :P

[quote:81a97152c2="MyztikGecko"]One of them nice little "If your breathing awards" somewhat like the GCM[/quote:81a97152c2]

Not quite.

You must be awarded the Good Conduct Medal, you can't just put it on every three years. For the NDSM, all you have to do is serve within any of the time frames. If you served during more than one of the time frames (like me, I joined in 94), then you'll wear a star for each additional time frame.

It does state in the MILPER message that permenent orders are not necessary for the NDSM, so keep checking your ERB, it should get there soon enough.

And if you have any problems with ur ERB, just give me ur social and I'll add some medals. I've got some "extra" Emilpo access and I can update ERBs and stuff...While ur at it give me ur credit card number too .
I'm just messing around... I can update ERBs but only my Battalion's.

Wolve,

lol...you got me thinking there for a sec. :roll: :P

Give you my SSN and my credit card number? I don't think so! If you want my credit card number, you'll have to work for it! Just go look up 555-55-5555. Eh, I'll be nice. Here's the CC - 5555-5555-5555-5555 Expires 01/5555 Back Panel Code is 555! Enjoy! :lol:

hmmmm, E-Bay here I come...that's a very unique number though...
Wait a minute, I'll pass! I don't want to go to Federal Pound me in the A$$ Prison. :lol: