British Army does not take medals seriously and treats them 'like swimming badges', says soldier While the award of a medal was once a matter of great ceremony and occasion, some decorations are now being issued without any great formality, he said. "I feel very proud to have served my country and wear my medals with pride," he said. However, my last three decorations - the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal, Afghanistan and the Accumulated Service Medal - had to be chased and were basically passed across a table by a clerk. He said he applied for his Long Service and Good Conduct bar in March and was still waiting for the decoration to be issued. The Long Service and Good Conduct Medal is issued automatically to those soldiers who have a clean slate over 15 years. A bar is granted to those with 30 years" service. Should this be how the British Army recognises achievements? After all, we aren't talking about a 100-metre swimming badge here," WO2 Wesson said. I think it's a sad day when you have to follow up medals for yourself; it gives the impression nobody gives a rat's proverbial. Other soldiers have experienced similar delays and difficulties, WO2 Wessson said, suggesting that the Army no longer values medals or the achievements they recognise. "Most have similar stories, some are outraged while others just accept it," he said. The Army insisted that that medals are an important part of military life and continue to be presented to "recognise valuable service." Brig Matthew Lowe from the Army personnel office said, but said it was for regiments" commanding officers to decide how they should be presented to soldiers. "Medals are designed to recognise valuable service," he said. It is for the CO to ensure that the means of presentation reflects the esteem in which the unit holds recipients. That is why formations returning from operational tours routinely hold medal parades, with senior officers, guests and VIPs being involved. While higher awards are granted to recognise particular gallantry, the Armed Forces also issue medals for all personnel who take part in active operations. All Armed Forces personnel to serve in Afghanistan are issued with the Operational Service Medal following their return from the country. The Operational Service Medal, introduced in 2000, was also granted to those who served in Iraq, making it one of the most widely-held decorations in the modern Armed Forces.