While this sounds good on the surface, I think this will dilute the importance of having "sea time." Why don't we make a warfare pin for every community that doesn't want to go to sea and let them all advance.
Not all duty is not arduous. Just because you are on a ship doesn't mean you are not in harms way nor doing nothing. Take me for example. My parent command deploys to Kuwait and elsewhere for 7-9 months, and it is currently shore duty, but moving to sea duty. NECC commands are in the fight, and just as ardous as being at sea. Vince deserves the pin. He did alot for the program. I know how personally.
It just sometimes seems that the military is going PC and giving away warefare pins like hotcakes. I'll admit I do not know much about the SpecWar arena. Maybe I should keep my big mouth shut until I know what I'm talking about.
Having been an AG, a long time ago, I was amused to see this, as I served in 2 war zones on board Carriers, we never got a special pin - but my division was given an 'E' for excellence award, one of very few individual "Divisional" awards.
But we just thought we were the best, not the best "warriors". However, things have changed. Now if you join the Navy to see the world and serve your nation via warships, you may just find yourself holding an M-16 on land, inside of IRAQ, like 5,000 - 6,000 other just plain old regular Navy personnel are now doing.
My husband was an AG, during vietnam area. We loved the comrade of all our friends, however lost contact with all, when coming home to recruiting duty in Denver. We were all a close AG family, When we were transferred, met many friends again.
When our son went through flight training in Florida, he had the pleasure of being one of their students in meterology training. That was such a joy in our lives, which we shall never forget.
I say to the AG's out there "you are special people" we that are retired are trying to help you in getting services for you, as well as when you also retire.
Our AG, has passed this past year however, "AG's don't just die, they go to Weatherguesser heaven" Didn't you know that???
