Ive been thinking.......

[Pitspitr]

A conversation yesterday with Ned Neiderlander turned (as it always does) to the GAF, it's policies, our musters and what we can do to make them better. At some point I mentioned that I had lost a fairly large sum of money hosting the 2008 Grand Muster, and that it was due in large part to the number of medals we issued that year. Ned commented that since he does not own a dress uniform he is just as happy to receive certificate to commemorate his wins as he is medals. This made me realize that I have now earned a medal for each of the places issued, that is a 1st (gold/blue), a 2nd (silver/red), and 3rd (bronze/white) and our regulations only allow for wearing 1 medal for each place, so while winning medals is nice I don't have need for any more. A certificate; on the other hand, could be displayed on my wall at work or at home. Also we use stars to denote the number of times one has won a place at a Grand Muster. In my case these could be issued in place of another medal.

What I'm suggesting is that muster hosts could save a substantial ammount of money that could be put to bettering the muster itself if they did not have to have medals engraved for each place in each category. A number of 1st, 2nd and 3rd place medals could be produced but not engraved on the reverse. These could be used for pictures of the winners. If the winner of that place did not formerly have a medal for that place he would receive the medal and a certificate. If he had previously received a medal in that placing he would receive a certificate and a star device. If he already has the medal and a star device and the current win would not require an upgrade from , say a bronze star to a silver star, or a silver star to a gold star then he would just receive a certificate..

I don't know if this is a good idea or not, but It makes sense to me. What are your thoughts?

[Delmonico]

It makes a lot of sense to me Jerry. 

[Bow View Haymaker]

When I saw the title" I've been thinking"  I got worried.  


Sounds like a good plan to me.  I don't even have a full field uniform let alone a dress one to wear medals on and I'm not sure if I would have anyplace to wear them to if I did.  I really like the certificates.  Maybe somthing simple like a ribbon or hat pin or the star you mentioned.  

[Pitspitr]

I want to be real clear. I'm NOT suggesting we get rid of the medals all together. Just suggesting that we make it easier for future Muster directors by not forcing them to buy medals for someone like me who can't use anymore than what I have. The down side would be that if there were a large number of 1st time winners/placers some might have to wait for their medals if enough weren't prepared ahead of time.

When I saw the title" I've been thinking"  I got worried.   

It seems to make a lot of people nervous when I say that.

[Drydock]

Here's what I would do:  simply have one of each available for pictures, along with certificates and a number of stars.  Awardees get a certificate, picture with the medal if desired, a star if a recipiant of a previous award, or if a new winner, the promise of a newly engraved medal to be delivered to them after the match.  Not much different than current military practice out in the field.

Its actualy a nice touch.  You win, then you get the anticipation of something good coming in the mail.

This would be for the Grand muster only.  Lesser musters need only award certificates, with perhaps a medal to the Muster champion.  Though I would give class winners the option of ordering a medal if they so desire.  (Send a copy of your certificate and the appropriate sum to Prairie Flower . . .)

We are a free membership outfit trying to minimize our financial impact in hard times.  I think folks understand and appreciate that.

[Pitspitr]

Pretty much exactly what I was thinking.

[Dusty Tagalon]

Below are a couple of example certificates I have made. I thought it would be a good idea to include a map representing the state or region included in the muster.

Add a folder or matt to put it in & it looks good. The folders or matts I use cost about .85 each. Only problem, minimum order $100.00, but I use around $95.00 worth in our state SASS match, (which I do get reimbursed for) so to add a bunch more to get me over the $100.00 isn't hard to do.  I currently have about 50 old time folders, & 50 old time matts in my inventory. I use a high grade paper stock for printing the certificates. I can assist other dept/divisions with their certificates. If you have special graphics email me your needs. dtagalon@yahoo.com

Dusty

[Grigori_Storri]

I know that I am new here but this post got my wheels turning. It is not wrong to issue a certificate and give the recepiant the option of purchasing the the medal ribbon or pin on their own. I remember reading a post from a while back that talked about wearing medals. Personally I hate wearing all that brite work they get dirty and tarnish too easy.

[US Scout]

This is something we discussed several years ago, but at the time we were only just beginning to award medals at the Muster so the decision was to go ahead and award medals.

However, I like the idea Pitspitr proposed since, as pointed out, we only permit 3 Muster medals to be worn on the uniform (and the GAF Medal as well).  It's either this or raise the Muster registration fee to cover the medal costs.

US Scout
GAF, Commanding

[TEXAS SARGE]

Hello from The Republic of Texas

Pitspitr I think you hit the nail on the head with this one.  As hosting the Grand Muster this year November 12th thru 14th here in the Republic of Texas at the Agareta Ranch, I think that is a wounderful idea for the hosting location to not to have go into the red doing so. 

I think the idea of first time medal/ceritificate then ceritificate/star there after is wounderful, as well as a savings not having to engrave the backs of the metals.

Is this something that has to be approved by all necessary personnel higher in the chain of command of the GAF or is it going to be up to the hosting match director?

Acting Sergeant Major
Department of The Missouri
Texas Sarge

[Pitspitr]

Is this something that has to be approved by all necessary personnel higher in the chain of command of the GAF or is it going to be up to the hosting match director?

Well, I can't issue the order, and if I could I would think I would be hoping for a little more feedback from the members of the GAF at large, but since the General seems to be in favor of it and 2 members of his war council are in favor of it, I wouldn't be in a hurry to get a bunch of medals engraved if I were you.

Acting Sergeant Major
Department of The Missouri

Oh and BTW you are a (Bvt.) Seargent Major, not an acting one. 

[Top Kick Ken]

I think this idea is a good one.  It makes perfect sense to me. 

I like many others, have experienced serious financial difficulties and I have had to severely curtail my discretionary spending.   Hopefully better times are coming soon.

[River City John]

Works for me, Colonel.

[pony express]

Works for me.


But, since I rarely shoot fast enough to win anything anyway...........

[captmack]

I'm all for it.

Capt Mack

[Capt. Montgomery Little]

I wholeheartedly concur with Col. Pitsptr's idea.  He appears to be quite sound in his thinking on this issue.

Ltc. Montgomery Little, GAF Senior Chaplain

[RattlesnakeJack]

I'm entirely on board with the idea of certificates, as well!  Our local club awards certificates only.

I am rather partial to "period look" documents, and suggest that sort of certificate might be appropriate in GAF ...

The certificates awarded locally by the Rocky Mountain Rangers, No. 4 Troop,  are derived from the land scrip certificates awarded to all personnel who served in Canada's 1885 North West Rebellion, and look like this (although detail is actually much better than shows up here) -
(click thumbnail to enlarge)

[Long Juan]

I would say this sounds like a great idea, but then I am not officially a member of GAF yet.     Maybe by the time of the Grand Muster in Lockhart in November, my name will show up on the roster. 

[Major Matt Lewis]

Jerry

All I can do is echo everyone else's sentiment.  This makes sense especially with side matches.

[Bull Schmitt]

Works for me!!