US Army To Cut Ribbons, Medals By 50 Percent In Cost-Cutting Measure
THE PENTAGON — With the Defense Department reeling from the far-reaching effects of sequester budget cuts, Army brass has proposed cutting the number of medals and ribbons awarded to soldiers — with officials claiming the move will save billions in taxpayer dollars.
Lt. Gen. Howard B. Bromberg, the Army G-1, explained, "the amount of money spent on ribbons and medals has increased exponentially over the decades." As proof, Bromberg pointed to a picture of Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, a five-star general, who was bedecked with only three ribbons.
"Today, we'd look at a private with only three ribbons as if he were some sort of dirtbag," said Bromberg.
Although no final list had been decided upon, one Army spokesperson said that several ribbons were all but certain to be canned.
"The Army Service Ribbon? What the hell?," asked the spokesman. "The fact that you're in an Army uniform is proof of your army service. Why should I give you a damn ribbon?"
Army officials would neither confirm nor deny t…
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