USAF has made several recent changes to its uniform wear regulations, courtesy of the 97th Air Force Uniform Board, and among them is curtailment of the Air Force Good Conduct Medal. Service officials offered no explanation for axing the medal, which the Air Force has awarded since 1963 to enlisted airmen who show “exemplary conduct during a three-year period of active military service (or for a one-year period of service during a time of war).”
Every year, Congress and the military debate which combat assets should head to the boneyard and which have more life left in them. Lawmakers often opt to keep Air Force systems that bring jobs to their districts, which complicates matters as the service looks to modernize and ditch certain platforms.…