Rank and Decoration Observation/Suggestion

Forum Admins:

I commend you on your design of the site, but may I make some observations and suggestions for the function of the ranks and "badges".
I think that the labeling should be changed to "decorations" vice "badges".  It's more in line with Marine Speak.  Badges are qualification devices to Marines; Rifle, Pistol, Diver, EOD, Aircrew, and such.  Decorations are the awards we receive other than qualifications. They are unit and individual citations, and service area and campaign medals.
As the game starts with the 5th MarDiv, it is only fitting that Marine rank insignia be used, though I know that there are many out there who would like to see more branches if not other countries portrayed.
As for the ribbons and medals used so far.... in keeping with the Marine theme.
CAR (Combat Action Ribbon)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combat_Action_Ribbon[/code:2mnaiyb8]

Though authorized back to 1941, it wasn't approved/designed until 1969.  It is a nice touch, as only the Navy and Marines get this ribbon.  The USA and USAF, have their own ribbons for this.  I should know, as a former Marine.... I have two, 1 from 1988 OP Praying Mantis (CVN-65 HSL35Det1), and 1 from 1991 OP Desert Storm 1MEF/1MEB/1MarDiv
PH (Purple Heart)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Heart[/code:2mnaiyb8] is universal to all US Branches of the military. I like this too in the game, though this and the CAR were only available to the first bunch to jump into the frying pan.  Though personally I would have issued the Marine Expeditionary Medal for that.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_Corps_Expeditionary_Medal[/code:2mnaiyb8]

Again, it's more in tune with the first in players for that Operation.
JSCM (Joint Service Commendation Medal)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_Service_Commendation_Medal[/code:2mnaiyb8]

This is awarded for linking our game systems to the forum/site for tracking.  IS it real, yes, but why the Joint vs the NCM (Navy Marine Commendation Medal). 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Navy_and_Marine_Corps_Commendation_ribbon.svg[/code:2mnaiyb8] This game has not any joint missions with any other US military branch and serves as a discontinuity with the game.  Yes it's got more stripes and colors than the Green with two white bars, but the NUC is more accurate with the setting for a commendation medal than what you have presented.  Personally, I would have awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, as everyone who served in the Marines in the Pacific campaign got these.  A more fitting tribute to the game and history than the JSCM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asiatic-Pacific_Campaign_Medal[/code:2mnaiyb8]
PUC (Presidential Unit Citation)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidental_Unit_Citation


A real ribbon, but not as you show it.  The ribbon displayed is the Army Valorous Unit Award rather than the Navy/Marine version of the ribbon.[code:2mnaiyb8]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valorous_Unit_Award


The Army and Air Force version of the PUC is colored like the PH without the stripes, and also isn't consistent with the Theme that you have presented as a USMC theme.  

The Prestige ribbon/medal, is actually the WWII Victory Medal [code:2mnaiyb8]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II_Victory_Medal_(United_States)


Nice adaption of this medal into the Theme of WWII Marines.

As for the weapons badges, I would have gone with the actual expert badges for pistol and rifle from the USMC.
RifleBadge[code:2mnaiyb8]http://www.usamilitarymedals.com/images/MCRIFLEEXPERT33FNL.jpg

PistolBadge[code:2mnaiyb8]http://www.usamilitarymedals.com/images/MCPISTOLEXPERT33FNL.jpg
  The subsequent awards(requalification) are identified with addtional clasps under the Expert Rifle/Pistol clasps that say Second Award and so on.(that is in the class that you qualified in; ie. Marksman, Sharpshooter, or Expert)[code:2mnaiyb8]http://www.usamilitarymedals.com/images/MC_R_2.jpg
  There are no badges for Automatic weapons in the USMC, that would be the Army, I would class those under the USMC expert rifle badge.


You can expand the area to accommodate these under the ribbons.  As for the ribbon area, why don't you make that dynamic to fit the awards issued?  The Marine Corps is the only branch that can stack their rack 4 across vice the standard 3 as in the Navy, Army, and Air Force.  I would make this dynamic to accommodate the ribbons area to grow with the number awarded, and also to assign the ribbons automatically once earned to insure proper order of precedence.

[code:2mnaiyb8]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awards_and_decorations_of_the_United_States_military#Order_of_precedence

Note: subsequent awards are depicted with a bronze star up to 4(5th award) and a silver star for every 5th bronze star or for decorations like the JSCM, NCM, NAM, CAR and such, there is a different, larger gold star that identify 2nd and 3rd awards, and so on.  I would change the ribbon/medals to reflect this, especially on the W/E Warrior missions.
Just my 2 cents as a former Marine.
Semper Fi!

Pappy
USMC - GySgt 1984-2001