ok ive read some posts about people "applying" for their medals...you do not "apply" for your medal, you must be recommended by your senior cadets and officers and then awarded the medal based on your conduct and qualifications as a cadet. it ticks me off when people go and "apply" fora medal thinking they will get it
as for the young marines posts: everyone must remember that they view their ribbons as qualifications. much like we sew our qualifications on to the sleeves of our uniforms, they wear theirs on their chest. i agree it does clutter the left breast pocket, and diminish the value of true medals, but it is their system, so dont bash it until youve tried it
and getting back on topic, yes i do know a cadet who has been awarded the cadet medal of bravery, and i feel he completely deserved it
as for myself, i have been awarded the Legion Medal of Excellence, back in may 2002, and by no means is it (or the Lord Strathcona Medal) meant to be awarded to the RSM of the unit, it goes to the most deserving cadet, no matter their rank or age (provided they meet the requirements)
i am elligible for the Army Cadet Service Medal (with 1 bar) as of October 2004, my CO put in the application in december, and i am still waiting on it...im really hoping i will get it and mount it before the ACR, but we will have to wait and see. i believe only a handful of cadets in all of BC have been presented with it so far