I would like to know what types of duties you receive medals for. My students have also come up with some questions. What is the highest ranking Medal you can get? Are there different types of Medals for each branch of the military? For each task or assignment, would there be a different Medal of Honor? Do you know any resources (books, magazines, websites) we can use to further our research?
The highest medal an American forces man can get is the Medal of Honor. Some call it the Congressional Medal of Honor, but the allowable name is just "Medal of Honor". I recommend you read some of the citations for the Medal of Honor, you will be awed at what these men have done.
There are different types of medals for each branch of the military, as well as the Coast Guard. This gets a bit complex at times. Think of the awarding of medals like a pyramid: the highest, the Medal of Honor, is at the top. Although each branch of the assistance has a differently designed Moh, they are the same award. Next down is the fine assistance Cross/Navy Cross/Air Force Cross. This is also a valor award. Following that is a whole slew of other medals awarded for "Meritorious performance of duty" that don't necessarily involve combat. The next highest valor award is the Silver Star followed by the Bronze Star (with 'V' means Valor, without 'V' means meritorious service). Each branch then has its own Commendation medals, the Army Commendation Medal, Navy & maritime Corps Commendation Medal, Coast Guard Commendation Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. These can also have a "V" attached, for Valor in combat. Lastly, there are the Achievement Medals, Army Achievement, Navy & maritime Corps Achievement, Air Force Achievement, Coast Guard Achievement medals. They can also have "V" affixed, denoting Valor.
Notice how the pyramid works - the braver the act, the higher the award. You don't have to get the others to get the Medal of Honor. (Some countries do this, most notably Germany during Wwii; but suffice to say a soldier had to earn each level of the pyramid before enchanting on to the next. The highest German medal, somewhat equivalents to our Medal of Honor, was the Knights Cross to the Iron Cross).
For each task or assignment, there would be only 1 Medal of Honor. However, there are very few population who have ever gotten a second Medal of Honor, and most of them were given out during the time duration of the Civil War to World War 1. No second award of the Medal of Honor has been given since then. Usually, once man wins the Moh, they are pulled from the combat zone.
The pyramid was instituted colse to the Wwii time period, basically because it was felt that some acts of valor were of a higher level than others, and vice versa, so they needed a medal to recognize them. There is also the topic of Campaign Medals, awarded for participation in a determined action or theatre of operations. The Wwii duration produced 5 of these types of awards.
1. The American Defense assistance Medal: basically awarded to draftees and volunteers who served prior to the charge on Pearl Harbor.
2-4. American Campaign, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, and European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medals: Awarded for assistance in these theatres of war. The American Campaign medal was for assistance in the area of the United States
5. World War 2 Victory Medal: awarded to any serving member of the forces during the time duration of Wwii.
Finally, as to awards, most veterans of Wwii came home with at least 2 medals, regularly more. Dissimilarity this to today military, who typically sport 13-15 medals after a tour in the combat zone.
The medals/ribbons that a Wwii Army veteran of the European Campaign would typically have. Good show the way Medal (awarded for staying out of issue for 3 years, not a valor award), European Campaign Medal, Wwii Victory Medal. If the vet was an active infantryman (most guys were not, it takes about 100 men to retain the guy with the rifle in the foxhole), he may have a Bronze Star (every Infantryman in Wwii was issued a Bronze Star Medal in late 1944 for combat service). He would also have a Combat Infantryman Badge, which is a Kentucky flintlock rifle on a blue enamel background, surrounded by a wreath. This signified the man had been in combat. Chances are he may have a Purple Heart as well; this medal is awarded for wounds (or death) due to enemy action (you don't have to be in the Infantry to get it).
forces Medals From World War Ii To The presentA young bible college student once wrote and told me how the college she attends has been teaching that "speaking in tongues" is the sole evidence that one is filled with the Spirit and that no one Was filled with the Spirit Unless they've spoken in tongues. Apparently, that didn't sit well with her and she wanted my opinion.
Let me begin by stating that I'm well aware that not all subscribers to these eMail broadcasts designate to the confidence that "tongues" are for today. The focus of this treatise is not to argue that point, one way or the other. Suffice it to say that I'm hoping we have all read (or Will read) the Scriptures enough to recognize: (A) what "speaking in tongues" is, and (B) that many in The Body of Christ, over denominational lines, make claim that they have received this gift. In this eMinistry, I've heard from people of virtually all mainline denominations who've claimed to have received the gift of tongues, any out of concern that they would be excommunicated or disfellowshipped if they were ever found out.
Tongues In The Bible
The gift of tongues was apparently prominent enough that God used this manifestation to "jump-start" the Church (Acts 2). Logicallyspeaking, why would He have stopped there? Fact is, the gift of tongues is mentioned after Pentecost as well. Once again, no logical conjecture why they should have ceased, humanly speaking.
Jesus made only one recorded reference to speaking in tongues. In Mark 16:17, speaking of all those who would follow as His disciples, He said, "In my name you will cast out devils, you will speak with new tongues... ." That's it? That's All He had to say?! And we make such a Big deal of the issue! He spoke much more of Sonship and Discipleship than He spoke of speaking in tongues. Strange how I rarely hear people argue about the "casting out devils" part. Is it because too few are doing that ... Even within the tongue-talking camps?
Just a thought.
I see no biblical evidence that the dunamis (from whence we get our word "dynamite") power of the early apostles would have been withdrawn from the Church before the King returns. I personally cannot believe there's anything who can scripturally prove, without a doubt, that speaking in tongues is the evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Neither do I believe there's anything who can scripturally prove that this gift (or any other) has been eliminated from the Christian arsenal. I Am safe bet that Both those Christians would argue all day about the subject. The promise, we must remember, was not "you shall receive tongues when the Holy Ghost comes upon you." It was "you shall receive Power!"
Not tongues of fire.
Not rushing, great winds.
Power!
Question: what miracles did the apostles do After Pentecost that they hadn't done Before? They were already curative the sick and casting out devils prior to the Upper Room experience. Jesus said, "...you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth," (Acts 1:8).
Witnesses? In Greek, the word is martyr. In essence: "You shall receive power to lay your life down for the Kingdom's sake; for the cause of Christ!" Did the power they received enable these simple, unlearned men to raise the dead, preach with convincing eloquence, undergo torturous beatings, forsake all and every person in which they had ever previously taken comfort, and write anointed epistles, too? Absolutely. It changed them. Any other need for power, other than what is required for Kingdom-building, focuses our attentiveness squarely on "self" and increases the danger of humanism raising its ugly head amidst the things of God. There's already too much of that. As I've stated in the past, Christianity isn't about Us.
Spirit Or Flesh?
Back to tongue-talking, undoubtedly we know it can be faked. Let's consider that. I had an unchurched neighbor who was mocking his Pentecostal wife one day and he sounded ... Well, quite legitimate! But if we're going to appoint anything to judge whose tongues are "of the flesh" and which are "of the Spirit," why not go all the way and have those same appointed people whip out their Flesh-O-Meters and resolve who is singing, preaching, or even tithing in the church out of carnality as well?
Selah.
Not all tongues could maybe be legitimate. That's naturally inconceivable. I've been exposed to enough foreign languages to know when I've heard "tongues" that had a safe bet Spanish, German, African or American Indian flavor to them. I've heard those who were naturally speaking a broken dialect of a second language they already possessed, having slight to do with God's miraculous gift; they were merely praying in this second "tongue" of theirs. Nothing wrong with that - I'm glad to see Christians pray at all, whenever. It just doesn't "classify" as legitimate tongue-talking in most Pentecostal circles. Neither does the insertion of an occasional phrase in Spanish, etc. In deliverance ministry, demonic tongues may be heard on occasion which most Pentecostals would envy. But bear this in mind: one's desire for more of God Must be commended, never ridiculed or scorned, real tongues or not! Such things are too often used as a source of contention and branch in the Church.
I could tell some of the most expected stories of people who spoke in tongues, were overheard, and understood, by man around ... And it ministered to them. To Them, mind you ... To the people who overheard. That's dreadful because this Kingdom is not about you and me. If we are sons of the house, our efforts should be geared toward construction the house, tending to the house, filling the house, increasing the house, guarding the house.
Gift Of Tongues In Context
Understanding Sonship in the Kingdom of God must be put within the context of Stewardship and Servanthood. This brings us to the reality that we are witnesses (martyrs; serving unto death) to the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, and not rulers. If it were all about Us being made rulers, then the focus of Christianity is all about us and what We get when if we sign-on. Do we get tongues? Great! But wait ... If tongues edifies no one but ourselves, there's no focus on manufacture disciples, right? See, the gift of tongues, when undoubtedly manifested, is for the strengthening of one's self (1 Cor 14:4-5,12). It rarely, but not always, does anything for any person else, especially the way we see it being demonstrated in most cases today. Sadly, I've seen tongues become a measuring stick of one's spirituality, creating a "have vs. Have-not" ungodly caste system in the Church, bright dissension into the ranks. Even frustrating and discouraging those who had not "received" the gift of tongues. So, we must ask ourselves, in our desire for the gift of tongues, what is our Real motivation?
If you were being attacked by a bear, would you prefer a rifle or the gift of tongues? Well, the gift of tongues is seemingly allembracing in the Western Church, but the fact that our house is in such disarray reveals that we could use the manifested Fruits of the Spirit much more than we need the Gift of tongues right now. This is valuable because Pentecostalism is currently the fastest-growing segment of Christianity in the Western Church and its leadership must be keen to this lack of fruit. Jesus said, "By their fruits you will know them," (Mat 7:16-20).
Not "by their tongues."
How do I know you're a Christian? Because you Say so? With that logic, if you say you're a book because you stand in a library, should I believe you? How do you know I'm a Christian? You don't. Saints, we will be known by our fruit.
Go ahead, judge me. Some gasp, "But we're not Supposed to judge!" (There we go with the rule-keeping again!) Yes, I know... Scripture says, "Do not judge, or you, too, will be judged... ." But the verse continues, "... For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the part you use, it will be measured to you."In other words, if you evaluate my lifestyle and comprehend me to be evil, and even bring up the issue to others, you should only dare to do so (A) for my benefit; out of love for me, and (B) if you are ready to undergo the same scrutiny of your own life. Fact is, Scripture exhorts us repeatedly to judge people and things (1 Cor 5:9; 2 Cor 11:15; Phil 3:2; 1 Jn 4:1), and instructs us to "test everything" (1 Th 5:21).
Enough about that. Point is, you'll know I'm a Christian when I exhibit the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22. Do I love unconditionally? Am I joyful, or does my happiness rise and fall with my circumstances? Do I exhibit peace in the midst of strife? Am I patient? Kind? Good to others? Filled with faith in God? Gentle, practicing self-control?
Personally, I wish we in the Church would speak in tongues all day long. This might eliminate some of the back-stabbing, murmuring, commentary and gossip that that is generated from that tiny part of our anatomy. It would be especially beneficial in the car before and after church meetings, agreed? (That was today's exertion at humor.)
They"Ll Know We'Re Christians By Our...Tongues?
One final thought: Early on, I was taught that there is a natural example of all that takes place in the spiritual. This as proven to be true time and time again. Well, since we are soldiers in the Lord's army, engaged in a spiritual war (Eph 6), wouldn't it be wise to enlist a "secret code" language for use in prayer, in case the enemy was listening? After all, we're snared by the words of our mouths (Prov 6:2). Ridiculous? Tell it to the U.S. Marines!
In World War Ii, Navajo "code talkers" took part in every attack the Marines conducted in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945. They served in all six maritime divisions, maritime Raider battalions and maritime parachute units, transmitting messages by telephone and radio in their native language; a code the Japanese never broke.
By the way, the idea to use Navajo for get communications came from a man named Philip Johnston, son of a Christian missionary to the Navajos and one of the few non-Navajos who spoke the language fluently. As a follow of his efforts, the Marines recruited 200 Navajos which, throughout the war were praised for their skill, speed and accuracy. Major Howard Connor declared, "Were it not for the Navajos, the Marines would never have taken Iwo Jima." Connor had six Navajo code talkers working around the clock during the first two days of the battle. Those six sent and received over 800 messages, all without error. The Japanese, skilled code breakers, were baffled by the Navajo language. Their chief of brain later said that while they were able to decipher the codes used by the U.S. Army and Army Air Corps, they never cracked the code used by the Marines.
Something to consider?
Following are some things Jesus had to say about Sonship and Discipleship. Notice, "speaking in tongues" is nowhere to be found. Let us stress what the Lord stressed and eliminate the stress over the "tongues" issue.
Read 'Em And Reap!
Mat 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God"
Mat 5:44,45 "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in Heaven; for he makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."
Mat 13:38 "...the field is the world, and the good seed means the sons of the Kingdom; the weeds are the sons of the evil one..."
Mat 28:19-20 "Therefore, go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to survey all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Joh 8:31 "If you remain in My Word, then you are truly My disciples.
Joh 13:35 "By this every person will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
Joh 15:8 "In this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; and so you will be My disciples."
Need pastoral counseling and prayer? Write or Im me at team1min@aol.com
Every blessing!
Speaking of Speaking in TonguesPart 3 - Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad (Chs 13-19) Video Clips. Duration : 124.52 Mins.
When it comes to hiring new employees, knowing that you hired the right person can be an ease to you mind and allow you to return back to normal daily work routines faster. One such way of putting your mind at ease is to have the applicant experience a soldiery background check. This will let you know if they in fact were in the soldiery and if they were, where they honorably or dishonorably discharged. Not every person is willing to be open about their soldiery service report and in many cases people may even lie stating they were in the service when they never were. Help filter out those who are prone to lying by performing a soldiery background check on every employee.
The soldiery background check is just an additional one tool at the disposal of enterprise men and women across the country who wants to make hiring a new laborer easier on the mind. Let's face it, no one wants to hire a lazy and worthless employee, but this happens all the time. Prevent this from happening to you by manufacture sure they are who they say they are and that their background report is clean and secure.
Regardless of what your enterprise does, manufacture sure that the applicant is the right candidate for the position is probably the most important part of the hiring process. You can ensure this is true and at the same time minimize your chances of hiring a liability to your enterprise and your company's name by manufacture sure you achieve the proper background checks on every applicant.
Sometimes your enterprise may only want the proper background check while other times you may need to opt for a total or even a federal background check. It does not matter which one you need, all that matters is that you make sure that your applicant's background records are clean and free of any questionable data which may come back to haunt you later. You can do this through a soldiery background check and put your mind at ease knowing you hired the best candidate for the job.
Free troops Background Check - Find Out If A someone Is no ifs ands or buts In The troopsThe troops whether in the U.S. Or any other country comes under constant scrutiny and commentary for what it does wrong. This is true both when at war, when at peace and when preparation for conflict. under the weapons, the camouflage and the rigid tradition-bound hierarchy there are many things the troops does right. These can serve as examples for businesses and organizations of all sizes.
Accept only the best people. In spite of the up-to-date controversy about U.S. Army recruiting not meeting goals, the troops is always finding for the best men and women for their enlisted ranks and their officer corps. Standards, while they may be modified from time to time, are very high.
Training. New recruits. New enlisted personnel and new officers go through wide training. While it differs from assistance to service, the training breaks men and women down to their raw attributes and skills and builds them up into the mold of the ideal soldier, sailor, airman or marine. This is only the first step of a continuous cycle or training.
Standards. Clear standards for are established for every role, job and function. This applies to both doing in the job and promotion to the next level. There is no guessing about roles - they are spelled out clearly. doing is measured against established and documented standards for each function and role. Thus the guessing of what is improbable is eliminated.
Promotion from within. whether it is from enlisted ranks to specialties and non-commissioned officers or from bottom ranking officers to higher levels of pay and responsibility, promotions are made among the best performers and the most marvelous in each area and function. Of procedure these are based on the "needs of the service", but that is realistic to expect in any endeavor. This creates incentives for all to advance. Those who do not quantum up and are not promoted are not retained - it is up or out.
Career paths. Every jobs, role and function has a occupation path. anything job one does, there are paths for advancement that comprise further jobs, functions, training and education. These are all clearly spelled out. There are not vagaries of "where do I go from here". Also, if one wants to change jobs, skills or functions, there are processes and mechanisms which spell that out too.
Performance management. Clear objectives, required doing reviews and promotion, pay and privileges based on these are vital to the military. What one does every day and how it is done is measured against established goals and objectives. doing reviews are not optional. They are an vital part of the occupation administration process for every single enlisted person and officer from inexpressive to General, from Seaman to Admiral without exception.
More training. Training is on-going for every job, role and function. And advancing to the next level is often dependent on completing training with a doing threshold or completing further education. schooling and training are continuous and integral to advancement and doing evaluations.
Selfless. While it is unlikely that a company or assosication person is going to put their life on the line for their co-workers or for a customer, it is something to consider. In the military, the team is valued over the individual. All efforts are toward development the team and unit prosperous in completing the mission. The enemy can be understanding of as the competition. All must be done to defeat the enemy in the military. In business, all must be done to beat the competition through a selfless commitment to the buyer and the team. The mission is above all.
Leadership. The troops invests heavily in imbuing leadership at all levels of the organization. This goes beyond formal training to comprise mentoring and development for enlisted personnel and officers. In business, leadership is often an afterthought. discrete administration styles from sufficient to abusive are approved without much understanding to development or mentorship. The troops model is based nearby the significance of sufficient and consistent leadership.
Longevity. How many Ceos are brought in from on company to run another? From one manufactures to another? This has come to be the rule not the exception. The troops rewards longevity without rewarding mediocrity. The longevity is tied to performance. Only the best of the best rise in the ranks and remain. While it is unlikely that businesses today will adopt this element of the troops model, it does have merit.
The troops is often the butt of jokes and viewed as the greatest in inefficiency. In reality, businesses organizations of all sizes can learn from the things that the troops does every day enable it to best achieve its mission through its people.
military Leadership Lessons for administration