Cold War Warriors: Request Your Certificate
January 29, 2008 | By Jack Yoest
Your Business Blogger
circa 1979
courtesy: US Army "A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon," Napoleon Bonaparte.
Sometimes a piece of paper will do.
The largest, most effective human resource management machine in the world, the US Army, knows that the best motivator is appreciation.
The Department of Defense is issuing the Cold War Certificate.
"Members of the armed forces and federal government civilian employees who faithfully served the United States during the Cold War era, from Sept. 2, 1945, to Dec 26, 1991," are eligible for recognition.
You will need the following:
1. Forms from U.S. Army Human Resources Command
2. DD214 (don't know? don't ask)
3. Fax machine. Send to 1.800.723.9262.
4. Patience. Wait is six months.
There is no charge. DoD has budgeted about a million-five for the printing.
Yoest ROTC
Thank you (foot)notes:
In Harm's Way even in the motor pool.
How To Obtain a Cold War Certificate from About.com
See Cold War Veterans: Cold War Vets get the shaft again!
The Clinton administration under SecDef Bill Cohen managed to screw-up even this simple recognition. The original award was to be a medal.
Cold War Recognition Certificate.
Hat Tip to John Howland USNA At Large.
Legislation verbiage at the jump.
The legislation states in part:
"The Congress finds the following:
"During the period of the the Cold War, from the end of World War II until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States and the Soviet Union engaged in a global military rivalry.
"This rivalry, potentially the most dangerous military confrontation in the history of mankind, has come to a close without a direct superpower military conflict.
"Military and civilian personnel of the Department of Defense, personnel in the intelligence community, members of the foreign service, and other officers and employees of the United States faithfully performed their duties during the Cold War.
"Many such personnel performed their duties while isolated from family and friends and served overseas under frequently arduous conditions in order to protect the United States and achieve a lasting peace.
"The discipline and dedication of those personnel were fundamental to the prevention of a superpower military conflict."
