Nine Rows of Ribbons!
One of the more popular articles at BV is this one on the U.S. military's propensity to give everyone a trophy -- in the form of lots and lots of ribbons -- regardless of results. Illustrative of this are the uniforms of America's generals and admirals, which look much like over-decorated Christmas trees. Shouldn't these officers be busy, well, leading, rather than collecting ribbons and badges and other, mostly empty, symbols of praise? Often, ribbons and medals simply show that someone's been there rather than done that. Military members get awards for changing station, or simply for enlisting, or for time served in uniform. It's often all show, no go, to go along with no clear wins in any major war since World War II.
There's little reason for most of these ribbons and medals and badges. They are a sign of grade inflation, of course, but also of severe narcissism and serious self-deception.
It's time the U.S. military stopped chasing bits of cloth and metal and started focusing on defending the U.S. Constitution.