would someone please explain to me how a "fat lifer" could steal your flying time? he can Forge records and get medals as can any smart clerk at the head shed. I'll tell you what I think happened. In '67 we had an XO who was lazy and some awards clerks and other folks who were just as bad and medal stuff did not get posted because it was WORK. I lost 7 air medals on that tour and only got the minimum ( 50 to 100 hours per medal) because I raised hell with the 119th ops and orderly room before I DEROSED. Combine that with a Batallion staff that was a " give a shit " mode for awards ( UNLESS THEY WERE FOR FIELD GRADES) and you have the history. We set records, won tons of unit awards and citations, got Majors and Lt Cols promoted based on our record, but routine individual awards were slow in coming or did not come at all. I blame the culture. The unit went incontry in 1962 and was " Old army" when it came to an award. We used to say if you are a warrant officer you may get a V device if you cut up a regement with a pocket knife. And to this day I believe that.