So my cousin scanned some pictures before they got totally destroyed. He has one of his dad in his dress blues and it has a medal but we can't tell what it is.

Here is the picture.

Since there is only one ribbon, I would assume that it is the Basic Military Training completion medal.  Either that or it could be sharp shooter medal.

Thanks guys! After doing some research on your input. We learned indeed he was an MP and that is a pistol sharp shooter medal.

Good job!

nateman_doo

National Defense Service Medal.

Thanks guys! After doing some research on your input. We learned indeed he was an MP and that is a pistol sharp shooter medal.

Good job!

Okele

The red and gold ribbon is the Basic training completion ribbon. As such, the medal is also a sharpshooter qualification badge for rifle. In Basic, there really isn't any pistols training. Edit: He's a Lance Corporal in this image, I don't believe anything below Corporal could qualify on Pistols. Unless it's in their job code(MP etc).

there is no basic training completetion ribbon in the USMC.  You get your EGA when you finish and earn the title.

rblaes_99

Okele
The red and gold ribbon is the Basic training completion ribbon. As such, the medal is also a sharpshooter qualification badge for rifle. In Basic, there really isn't any pistols training. Edit: He's a Lance Corporal in this image, I don't believe anything below Corporal could qualify on Pistols. Unless it's in their job code(MP etc).

there is no basic training completetion ribbon in the USMC.  You get your EGA when you finish and earn the title.

+1  ....and for those that know...EGA is Eagle, Globe, and Anchor.

fattysc
I hate to be a stickler. But, Nate isn't correct either as he said National Defense Service Medal. Not ribbon. lol. You got me on the medal being a badge though.

Thank you for correcting.

National Defense Service Medal.


When presented with any military decoration, you receive the medal, and the ribbon.  It is still called, the national defense service medal, like all other awards (Army commendation medal, Soldiers medal, Congressional Medal of Honor etc) there is a medal associated with the ribbon you normally see.  We only wear the ribbons though on most uniforms. 

Standard dress uniforms only wear the ribbons as shown below:


Other more elaborate and dress uniforms such as the guards at the tomb of the unknown soldier posted below wear actual medals on their uniforms, or with "mess uniforms" you can wear mini medals.


I really don't know jack about marine uniforms, but here is a picture of one with medals.


What you do see is the national defense service medal, and underneath is is likely a type of shooting proficiency badge.  I am army, so I don't know what Marines have as far as shooting badges.  We have Marksmen, Sharpshooter, and Expert Marksmen badges.  The underneath them are smaller badges which denote which actual weapon system the soldier qualified with.

Army:    Marine: 


Edit:  Glad you found out what you were looking for, took me to long to type, I'm slow today.  Were here to help ;) 

rblaes_99

fattysc

I hate to be a stickler. But, Nate isn't correct either as he said National Defense Service Medal. Not ribbon. lol. You got me on the medal being a badge though.

Thank you for correcting.


I have to say that the dress blues are the most wicked uniforms out of all.

Nate is indeed correct.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Defense_Service_Medal  The National Defense service Medal has a ribbon associated with it, but it is a MEDAL none the less. 
 
note: you are quite possibly debating with military guys that have worn these on their own chests longer then you have been alive. 

I wasn't arguing with anybody to be quite honest. In fact that is the "ribbon" as  you have stated. Not the "medal/badge". Because, I asked about the "medal/badge" and not the ribbon to begin with. None the less. I appreciate you guys answering my original question and serving in the armed forces for us.  If you  have been in the armed forces for 31 years then you rock.