One of the first performances I ever did as a military musician was at an awards ceremony at an Army hospital.

The first awardee was a Specialist (E-4, equivalent to a Corporal, abbreviated SPC) who, on his off-duty time, sitting around the pool at his apartment complex, had saved a little girl who was drowning. An act, normally, that would receive the Soldier's Medal. (A peacetime bravery award) Instead, this soldier received the Army Achievement Medal. The lowest award that the Army has that gets a medal.

The second awardee was a Sergeant (E-5, the next higher rank) who was being recognized for decorating a conference room for a staff function. She received the Army Commendation Medal. The next higher award than the SPC had received, and the lowest "end of tour" award currently being given for service in Iraq.

Let's look at this comparison: saving a young child's life versus hanging some crepe paper. HHHhhmmmm...

I heard the justification was that the SPC hadn't received a medal before, and they couldn't justify giving him a higher award based on that. What has that got to do with anything?

Seen the same principle in action for the last 15 years. Still don't understand it.