St. Paddy's Day?

I don't know, the number of cords and medals has skyrocketed in the last 20 years. Everyone is beginning to look like a Mexican General.

When I was there, the band and wing each had enough of their own special medals to make a JROTC cadet commander jealous.

It has gotten even more out of hand since I finished.

That cadet is not in the band or the wing.

When I was there, I only know of one ribbon band members were eligible for that CT's were not. What plethora of cords are you talking about?

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When I was there, I only know of one ribbon band members were eligible for that CT's were not.

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It looks like they have gotten rid of a lot of the bull**** ribbons.

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What plethora of cords are you talking about?

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From the Standard. I'll bold the ones that I don't remember having from '00 to '04.

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a. The General George F. Moore Award for the outstanding company size unit (White cord).
b. The George P. F. Jouine Award for the outstanding academic achievement of a non-technical company sized unit (Maroon and white cord).
c. Buchanon Award for the outstanding academic achievement of a technical company sized unit (Red Cord).
d. The Major General Bruno A. Hochmuth Award for the outstanding military achievement of a company sized unit (Maroon-white braid cord).
e. The Robert M. Gates Public Service Award for the outstanding public service achievement of a company sized unit (Red-white-blue braid cord).
f. The Commandant’s Award for the outstanding university activities achievement of a company sized unit (Maroon cord).
g. The J. J. Sanchez Award for the outstanding recruiting and retention achievement of a company sized unit. (Green and white cord).
h. Corps Commander Cord (Maroon and white cord).
i. Deputy Corps Commander and Major Unit Commander Cords (White-maroon braid cord).
j. Ross Volunteer Company (Gold and white cord).
k. Fish Drill Team (Maroon-white braid cord).
l. Simpson Honor Society (Blue and white cord).
m. Parsons Mounted Cavalry (Gold cord).
n. Singing Cadets/Women’s Chorus/Century Singers (White cord).
o. Corps Center Guard (Maroon and grey cord).
p. Color Guard (Maroon cord).
q. Arnold Air Society (Gold and blue cord).
r. Cadet Leadership Committee (Red and White cord).
s. Eagle Post (Red, white and blue braided cord)
t. Darling Recruiting Company (Green and gold braid cord).
u. Current service cords.

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21+ cords is getting a little excessive.

[This message has been edited by jh0400 (edited 12/16/2010 4:15p).]

I see. We were there at the same time. Btw, I don't recognize any of those bolded cords either.

And going back to the old fart's day, we had:

a. The General George F. Moore Award for the outstanding company size unit (White cord).
b. The George P. F. Jouine Award for the outstanding academic achievement of a non-technical company sized unit (Maroon and white cord).

d. The Major General Bruno A. Hochmuth Award for the outstanding military achievement of a company sized unit (Maroon-white braid cord).

h. Corps Commander Cord (Maroon and white cord).
i. Deputy Corps Commander and Major Unit Commander Cords (White-maroon braid cord).
j. Ross Volunteer Company (Gold and white cord).
k. Fish Drill Team (Maroon-white braid cord).

m. Parsons Mounted Cavalry (Gold cord). Added during my tenure
n. Singing Cadets/

Singing Q's cord back in the day, did not include Women’s Chorus/Century Singers (White cord).

There were three ribbons/medals that were available to BQs in my day that weren't for CTs:

Corps Bugler
Silver Taps Team
Drum and Bugle Corps*

*Affectionately known to the BQs as "Beat and Blow"

That cord is Darling Recruiting Company

[This message has been edited by ccb2431 (edited 12/16/2010 6:29p).]

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Darling Recruiting Company

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What is that, and why is it cord worthy?

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a. The General George F. Moore Award for the outstanding company size unit (White cord).
b. The George P. F. Jouine Award for the outstanding academic achievement of a non-technical company sized unit (Maroon and white cord).
c. Buchanon Award for the outstanding academic achievement of a technical company sized unit (Red Cord).
d. The Major General Bruno A. Hochmuth Award for the outstanding military achievement of a company sized unit (Maroon-white braid cord).
e. The Robert M. Gates Public Service Award for the outstanding public service achievement of a company sized unit (Red-white-blue braid cord).
f. The Commandant’s Award for the outstanding university activities achievement of a company sized unit (Maroon cord).
g. The J. J. Sanchez Award for the outstanding recruiting and retention achievement of a company sized unit. (Green and white cord).
h. Corps Commander Cord (Maroon and white cord).
i. Deputy Corps Commander and Major Unit Commander Cords (White-maroon braid cord).
j. Ross Volunteer Company (Gold and white cord).
k. Fish Drill Team (Maroon-white braid cord).
l. Simpson Honor Society (Blue and white cord).
m. Parsons Mounted Cavalry (Gold cord).
n. Singing Cadets/Women’s Chorus/Century Singers (White cord).
o. Corps Center Guard (Maroon and grey cord).
p. Color Guard (Maroon cord).
q. Arnold Air Society (Gold and blue cord).
r. Cadet Leadership Committee (Red and White cord).
s. Eagle Post (Red, white and blue braided cord)
t. Darling Recruiting Company (Green and gold braid cord).
u. Current service cords.

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Incredible. I believe that in 1990 the list would have included only the following.

a. The General George F. Moore Award for the outstanding company size unit (White cord).
b. The George P. F. Jouine Award for the outstanding academic achievement of a non-technical company sized unit (Maroon and white cord).
d. The Major General Bruno A. Hochmuth Award for the outstanding military achievement of a company sized unit (Maroon-white braid cord).
h. Corps Commander Cord (Maroon and white cord).
i. Deputy Corps Commander and Major Unit Commander Cords (White-maroon braid cord).
j. Ross Volunteer Company (Gold and white cord).
k. Fish Drill Team (Maroon-white braid cord).
m. Parsons Mounted Cavalry (Gold cord).
n. Singing Cadets/Women’s Chorus/Century Singers (White cord).

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Corps Bugler
Silver Taps Team
Drum and Bugle Corps*

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That's right, Canyon. I had forgotten about two of those because such a small handful of people has the opportunity to earn them - only one a year for bugler, and 2-3 a year for Silver Taps.

Ribbons

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a. Aggie Lifesaving Award (Ribbon and medal)
b. Corps Meritorious Service Medal (Ribbon and medal)
c. Outstanding Cadet Commander/First Sergeant in the Corps (Ribbon and medal)
d. Outstanding Scholastics/Physical Training/Best Drilled Cadet in the Corps (Ribbon and medal)
e. Bruce Goodrich Award (Ribbon and medal)
f. Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award (Ribbon and medal)
g. President’s Medal (Ribbon and medal)
h. Distinguished Student (Ribbon and medal)
i. Lt. General Ormond R. Simpson Honor Society (Ribbon and medal)
j. Ross Volunteers(Ribbon and medal)
k. Commandant’s Key (Ribbon and medal)
l. Class Council Officer (Ribbon only)
m. Student Senate (Ribbon only)
n. Fish Drill Team (Ribbon and medal)
o. Parsons Mounted Cavalry (Ribbon and medal)
p. Outstanding/Scholastic/Physical Training/Best Drilled Cadet in Major Unit (Ribbon and medal)
q. Cadet Honor Board/Cadet Court (Ribbon only)
r. Letterman Big 12/Varsity/Yell Leaders (Ribbon only)
s. Darling Recruiting Company (Ribbon and medal)
t. Corps Flag Bearer (Ribbon only)
u. Corps Bugler (Ribbon only)
v. Outstanding/Scholastic/Physical Training/Best Drilled Cadet in Outfit (Ribbon and medal)
w. Corps Outstanding Recruiting Ribbon (Ribbon only)
x. Corps Center Guard (Ribbon and medal)
y. Color Guard (Ribbon only)
z. Athletic Championship (Team or Individual) Varsity, Club, Corps, or Intramural Sport (Ribbon only)
aa. Corps Athletic Team/Club Team (Ribbon only)
bb. University Recognized Honor Society (Ribbon only)
cc. Recruiting Award (Ribbon only)
dd. Max PFT (Ribbon only)
ee. Concert Band (Ribbon only)
ff. MSC Committee (Ribbon only)
gg. Professional Society (Ribbon only)
hh. Corps Committee (Ribbon only)
ii. Dining Service Employee (Ribbon only)
jj. Fish Band (Ribbon only)
kk. Other University Awards
ll. Other ROTC Awards
mm. Eagle Scout Award

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What about Fish Band and Concert Band?

I may be wrong, but my understanding is that the fish band ribbon replaced the old Drum and Bugle Corps ribbon.

I don't know about the concert band ribbon. I don't remember it, but it may just be that I'm getting forgetful. I wouldn't have earned it if it existed when I was there.

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quote: Darling Recruiting Company

What is that, and why is it cord worthy?

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Hey, I would have been thrilled for someone to recruit some darlings back in my day.

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What is that, and why is it cord worthy?

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General Darling (first non active duty commandant) I believe gave money to help recruiting or something. So they've got a "special unit" to focus on recruiting and taking responsibility for special events like JCAP.

The reason why there are so many cords is, and I'm serious about this, to motivate cadets to do stuff. Theory is that cadets want a whole bunch of stuff on their uniforms (like JROTC), they want to feel special even if they suck. I don't agree with it and believe we can probably get rid of more than a few and most of the Corps would be happy about it.

I think some of the infantry guys even wear two cords. The Corps really is turning into a JROTC.

I'm class of 1999. I've bolded the cords that were around during my time (12 years ago). Of note, the Corps CO was worn by 1 person, very few had active duty cords, and only one or two had the signing (non)cadets cord.

The number has exploded in the past decade...coinciding with the soon-to-be retired commandant.

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a. The General George F. Moore Award for the outstanding company size unit (White cord).
b. The George P. F. Jouine Award for the outstanding academic achievement of a non-technical company sized unit (Maroon and white cord).
c. Buchanon Award for the outstanding academic achievement of a technical company sized unit (Red Cord).
d. The Major General Bruno A. Hochmuth Award for the outstanding military achievement of a company sized unit (Maroon-white braid cord).
e. The Robert M. Gates Public Service Award for the outstanding public service achievement of a company sized unit (Red-white-blue braid cord).
f. The Commandant’s Award for the outstanding university activities achievement of a company sized unit (Maroon cord).
g. The J. J. Sanchez Award for the outstanding recruiting and retention achievement of a company sized unit. (Green and white cord).
h. Corps Commander Cord (Maroon and white cord).
i. Deputy Corps Commander and Major Unit Commander Cords (White-maroon braid cord).
j. Ross Volunteer Company (Gold and white cord).
k. Fish Drill Team (Maroon-white braid cord).
l. Simpson Honor Society (Blue and white cord).
m. Parsons Mounted Cavalry (Gold cord).
n. Singing Cadets/Women’s Chorus/Century Singers (White cord).
o. Corps Center Guard (Maroon and grey cord).
p. Color Guard (Maroon cord).
q. Arnold Air Society (Gold and blue cord).
r. Cadet Leadership Committee (Red and White cord).
s. Eagle Post (Red, white and blue braided cord)
t. Darling Recruiting Company (Green and gold braid cord).
u. Current service cords.

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I can honestly say I didn't care much about the majority of cords while I was in.

I put this one on and never took it off:

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k. Fish Drill Team (Maroon-white braid cord).

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I never wore ribbons. Contract pin and my jump wings were enough

They were really starting to get out of hand just as I was graduating

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Drum and Bugle Corps*

*Affectionately known to the BQs as "Beat and Blow"

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We called it "fish band ribbon".

I will say that the number of ribbons and medals in the Army has increased dramatically as well.

At the end of my tour in Korea (1LT), I had 3 ribbons (ASR, OSR, ARCOM).

By the time I'd made Captain 18 months later, I had 7 ribbons, ONE for achievement (ASR, OSR, ARCOM, KDSM, NDSM, GWOT-S, GWOT-E)

When I was there, D&B Corps was for fish and p-heads. One sergebutt was the drum major, and he often became head stick d!ck the following year. Brass and drums only. We would play for an occasional march to chow, and that was about it.

Don't know how it has evolved since then.

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When I was there, D&B Corps was for fish and p-heads. One sergebutt was the drum major, and he often became head stick d!ck the following year. Brass and drums only. We would play for an occasional march to chow, and that was about it.

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To add on the times we played was usually in the Spring.

Sound Soupy!

Uniform was Class A Summer or Winters, with white pot and combat boots (jump boots for sophomores)

The number of ribbons is really silly. I went to a march-in last year and saw about 20 that I didn't recognize, and we had lots and lots just a few years ago.

The Army is equally silly though. I look at pictures of real war heroes - Sergeants Major and Generals - on the wall in the BN HQ that have 4 ribbons - Silver Star, Air Medal, 1x ARCOM (when it was hard to get), and a PH. Now, we all get the 2LT Starter Pack just for showing up.

Haha, this kid is a fish I think and wants to know if he can wear a ribbon he got in high school JROTC: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=7348375765&topic=15986#!/topic.php?uid=7348375765&topic=15986

damn, I guess I should have worn my JROTC superior junior cadet ribbon.
/sarcasm.

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Now, we all get the 2LT Starter Pack just for showing up

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Would that be the NDSM, ASR, GWOTS trifecta by chance?

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damn, I guess I should have worn my JROTC superior junior cadet ribbon.

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Wearing UIL Band ribbons and medal (high school band medals) was a pretty common pullout for BQs. I had a maroon/white/maroon hanging medal with a triangle-shaped pendant from the Tri-State Music festival in Amarillo. It was fun to put it on the midnight every once in a while and freak the CTs out.

I have noticed that the Corps is taking on a JROTCesque mentality. There are way to many cords. Soon there will be a "General Van Alstyne award" for outstanding ******bag of the Corps.
How about a "fish jones award" given to a fish that makes it all the thru his fish year.
The Corps is becoming the "feel good, politically correct" Corps, which is very very sad.
Honestly as much as I loved my 4 years in the Corps, if I had a son, i'd rather he go to VMI to see what being in a military school was like.

Oh and from what i've seen as of late, someone needs to teach the cadets how to properly wear cords.

[This message has been edited by Moth (edited 12/19/2010 8:15a).]

[This message has been edited by Moth (edited 12/19/2010 8:17a).]

I talked to my son (09) about rolled vs. unrolled cords and he had no idea what I was talking about.

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Soon there will be a "General Van Alstyne award" for outstanding ******bag of the Corps.

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Didn't they have the "black cord" in your day for worst unit? I thought A1 proudly wore it.

LOL, actually no they didn't. Actually A-1 was a decent outfit.
Now V-1, W-1 and Sq 14, the waggie and day duck outfits sucked big time

Before my time ('96-'00), there was the self-styled black cord. May have been late-80's/early-90's

I had a classmate who made his own ribbon which he called his "biology 113" ribbon... 4 colors, one for each time he flunked the course. Had it on one day when the staff pulled out a GM inspection before breakfast... I'm still laughing about that 3+decades later.