Ribbon attachments for GAF medals

[US Scout]

...Worst of all, after the 1st Gulf War, we ended up with name and "US Marines" tapes over the breast (and right hip) pockets - we referred to them as "Army Lost-and-Found" tags.  ....

When I was serving with 2nd ANGLICO in the early 80's, we did a lot of exercises with the 82nd Airborne.  At the time Marines didn't wear name tapes on our Woodland cammies and only had the Eagle, Globe and Anchor emblem on our left breast pocket.  Since we were only temporarily attached to whatever Army unit we were working with they didn't know any of us and were extremely frustrated trying to remember names.  Consequently, our CO ordered us to put name tapes on at least one set of cammies.  Of course this created all sorts of problems when any senior Marine officers/NCOs saw us.

For the uninformed - the Air-Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO) provides naval air support and naval gunfire support to non-Marine units - US Army and allies such as the British, Spanish, Italians, etc).  W spent almost all our field time outside of the Fleet Marine Force.  Interesting work and a lot of fun.

US Scout
Bvt Brig Gen, GAF 

[Guns Garrett]

Concerning the awarding of SOM for "placing" in a major match...does this refer to 1st Place, or any place for which an award or medal was awarded?  For example, I was awarded "2nd Place Duelist - Smokeless" at the 2007 GAF Muster.  In addition, I was awarded "Best Dressed Formal" at the 2006 Muster Banquet - does this rate an SOM?  I was never sure of this, so I never put in for it thru the GAF Awards page.

By the way, the "Best Dressed" award is on a neck ribbon, rather than a "pin-on" suspension ribbon (plus, it has a large, 2 1/4" medallion).  What would be the proper way to wear this in uniform, if at all?

[Bull Schmitt]

Guns,

You won "Best Dressed" in a formal???

Col Bull

[US Scout]

Concerning the awarding of SOM for "placing" in a major match...does this refer to 1st Place, or any place for which an award or medal was awarded?  For example, I was awarded "2nd Place Duelist - Smokeless" at the 2007 GAF Muster.  In addition, I was awarded "Best Dressed Formal" at the 2006 Muster Banquet - does this rate an SOM?  I was never sure of this, so I never put in for it thru the GAF Awards page.

By the way, the "Best Dressed" award is on a neck ribbon, rather than a "pin-on" suspension ribbon (plus, it has a large, 2 1/4" medallion).  What would be the proper way to wear this in uniform, if at all?

Guns,

The policy regarding "placing" has customarily referred to 1st-3rd.  I know some major matches give placement awards much farther down but since we can't control that, we usually give credit for the first three places.  (Note: effective September 1, 2008, the SOM is no longer authorized for placing in a shooting competition after that date).

Just to be sure, this is for placing in uniform and by doing so promote the GAF.

I know that some of our earlier medals were rather large.  While I haven't posted it yet on the webpage, we have discussed it here on the Barracks.  We're going to allow a total of 4 medals to be worn on the unform, and the earlier and larger medals should be replaced by the smaller military medals.  You are authorized to wear the GAF membership medal and up to three additional medals awarded at our Musters, but no more than one per 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.  Subsequent placement awards will be designated by a star on the ribbon.  According to 19th century US military custom, there is no required placement of these medals on the "dress uniform" but we would obviously prefer the GAF membership medal to have preference - either nearest to the buttons, or over the others.

In other words, based on the above information you won a 1st for uniform and a 2nd for shooting.  If this year you were to win another 1st or 2nd place, you'd put a star on the respective ribbon.  If you were to get a 3rd, you could also wear a third place ribbon.  If you were to win the Brigade Champion award (what Maj Matt originally called the Iron Trooper) that would be worn around the neck. 

US Scout
GAF, Commanding
 

[Guns Garrett]

General,
In my twisted mind, your explanation makes sense.  I had really only planned to wear the GAF Medal, with the one Match medal.

Yes, B.S., and to top it off, I was actually "Undressed"!!!*         Enjoy THAT mental image!!!



*(I was dressed as a Captain of Light Artillery, of the Mississippi Marine Brigade, wearing an officer's shell jacket, naval-style hat, sash, sword, boots, spurs, etc.  Rather than "Best Dressed-Formal", perhaps I should have been awarded "Most Dashing".)

[Bull Schmitt]

Guns,

No thanks! Lets not go there!!

Col Bull