Here is something I worte after learning that the AFGCM was being took away, It will be published soon in the Stars and Stripes: (note this was published in Stars and stripes pacific march 1 2006)


The day has come where we as Airmen in the military are no longer honored to do what is right all the time. The loss of the good conduct medal is a horrible injustice to all who have served with honor over the years. The medal has stood for doing what is right, it was the reward for faithful service and self sacrifice. Now they take away the one advantage to doing the right thing all the time. I for one am opposed to this outrage. My family has served in the military and kept America safe for over one hundred years. I shudder to think what they would say when doing what is right is not rewarded in some form. Over 90% of Airmen get this medal for doing what is right. Those who do not do what is right, do not receive this medal. It is not an insult to receive this award, but it is an honor.

In the following post it is said that the Air Force Achievement Medal recognizes outstanding Airmen. However I have seen Airmen who work their fingers to the bones, make the sorties happen with their blood. I have seen them work in the freezing cold and the blistering heat with out a word of complaint and not receive this medal. I have also seen the Achievement medal awarded for remembering to bring a piece of equipment on a TDY. So the real question is does the Air Force Achievement medal show outstanding Airmen? I am afraid my answer is, no it does not recognize this. All the Achievement Award recognizes more often than not is the ability of a good supervisor to write a good paper.

So the real question comes into play. Is this medal needed? The answer is sadly no. It is not needed for Airmen, NCO’s, and Officers will do the job no matter what the personal sacrifice that is demanded of them. Good conduct is expected out of every person who servers in blue, everyone is expected to live the core values. Most people do not stray, and when they stray I agree with the options commanders have for disciplinary action. I also feel that this medal should not be awarded as well. I do not feel that this medal should be took away so lightly. The uniform we wear is a sign of our willingness to defend and protect this country, the ideas of freedom and the belief that all men are equal, that justice is for everyone, and that keep this safe for all. The medal is a sign that we did it honorably.

Please feel free to pass this up to whomever you see fit Sir, if you see fit. This is just one NCO’s view of something I feel is wrong.


"Tui Fideles Facio Servitium”
"Yours in faithful service. “
SSgt Curtis Bourland

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Good Conduct Medal award elimination explained

by Master Sgt. Mitch Gettle
Air Force Print News

WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- The Air Force Uniform Board announced Feb. 6 that the Good Conduct Medal will no longer be awarded.

The Air Force director of Airman development and sustainment recently explained the reasons behind this decision.

"The quality of our enlisted personnel today is so high, we expect good conduct from our Airmen," said Brig. Gen Robert R. Allardice. "It begged the question, 'Why do we have a Good Conduct Medal?'"

"Having a medal for good conduct is almost to say we don't expect Airmen to do well, but if they're good we will give them a medal," he said. "It's kind of insulting in our Air Force today."

One must look at the history of why the medal was created in the 1960s. The military was using the draft and involved in the Vietnam War. The Air Force didn't have any other method to recognize Airmen. Today, the Air Force Achievement Medal recognizes outstanding Airmanship.

"When we looked at that history it was clear that the Good Conduct Medal has outlived its usefulness," said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray. "Today's all-volunteer force is committed to serving honorably, and good conduct is what we expect from every Airman -- officer and enlisted."

"We live by our core values," Chief Murray said. "When members of our service stray from those values, they do themselves and all Airmen a disservice. When that happens, commanders have the tools they need to evaluate the situation and the individual's worthiness for continued service.

"If a commander deems their conduct does not warrant discharge, then they remain a valuable Airman to our Air Force, and we expect them to continue to serve honorably," he said.

General Allardice said that it is the uniform, not the Good Conduct Medal, that represents what Airmen are all about.

"In today's Air Force, our Airmen understand that the uniform they wear represents good conduct," he said.

Airmen who have previously earned the Good Conduct Medal are still authorized to wear it.