Yearling Winter Weekend

debcst

5-Year Member
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Jan 4, 2011
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201
Anyone else enjoying looking at these photos?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/westpointparents/sets/72157625937006528/

As a prospective parent (DS is a HS junior) I really enjoy these glimpses of life at West Point... sometimes I feel like an anthropologist studying a new (to me) culture and West Point's facebook and flickr presence is so helpful.

Can someone more knowledgeable than myself help me figure out the various awards/medals/ribbons that some of the cadets are wearing in these photos? Some I have figured out...


large gold/silver/bronze oval- German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge- how and when do cadets earn this?

stars on collar-distinguished cadet award

gold wreath/with star-superintendent's award for achievement/excellence

red and yellow ribbon with medal- ?

small black pin- ?


Information on the "fallen soldier" observance was very moving. Is this something done at every formal dinner at West Point? In the Army?

Thanks in advance for any light shed!
 
large gold/silver/bronze oval- German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge- how and when do cadets earn this?

stars on collar-distinguished cadet award

gold wreath/with star-superintendent's award for achievement/excellence

red and yellow ribbon with medal- ?

small black pin- ?

- German Proficiency Badge: Cadets earn this through completing a pistol shoot, track events, and a ruck march all to a particular standard. We just had the ruck march on Veteran's Day this year.

- Red and yellow ribbon/medal: Affectionately known as the "breathing" ribbon because you get it if you're breathing (everyone who joins the Army during a time of war gets it)

- Small black pin: Recondo badge. It's earned through being really hooah at Buckner
 
Anyone else enjoying looking at these photos?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/westpointparents/sets/72157625937006528/

As a prospective parent (DS is a HS junior) I really enjoy these glimpses of life at West Point... sometimes I feel like an anthropologist studying a new (to me) culture and West Point's facebook and flickr presence is so helpful.

Can someone more knowledgeable than myself help me figure out the various awards/medals/ribbons that some of the cadets are wearing in these photos? Some I have figured out...


large gold/silver/bronze oval- German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge- how and when do cadets earn this?

stars on collar-distinguished cadet award

gold wreath/with star-superintendent's award for achievement/excellence

red and yellow ribbon with medal- ?

small black pin- ?


Information on the "fallen soldier" observance was very moving. Is this something done at every formal dinner at West Point? In the Army?

Thanks in advance for any light shed!

Typically at formal events, there is a POW/MIA table set up in a place of prominence, and an observance is conducted.
 
- Red and yellow ribbon/medal: Affectionately known as the "breathing" ribbon because you get it if you're breathing (everyone who joins the Army during a time of war gets it)

The Yuks all have the 'breathing' ribbon, but you'll notice in the pictures that not everyone is wearing it. I don't know if it is a company thing or an individual thing, but many don't wear their bling on the Full Dress.
 
The Yuks all have the 'breathing' ribbon, but you'll notice in the pictures that not everyone is wearing it. I don't know if it is a company thing or an individual thing, but many don't wear their bling on the Full Dress.

We aren't issued the medal, only the ribbon. If a cadet wants to wear it on their full dress then they have to ride the bus to the PX and buy it themselves hence not everyone wearing it.
 
Correct. I wasn't clear on that. Everyone gets the ribbon, but not everyone is interested in buying the medal to wear on the FD. It is a choice and some choose not to for various reasons. Having to go to the PX is not what keeps some from buying it.
 
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