If you’re an airmen, the medals you’ve received mean a whole lot of things. They’re a reward for your service to your country of course, but they’re also a living museum of your accomplishments in the armed forces, a signal of your accomplishments to your peers in the Air Force, and a symbol of your commitment to the United States. But whether you’re building a shadow box or looking to spruce up the worn ribbons you already have, finding quality ribbons isn’t always easy. Here’s what you should look for when shopping for air force medals online.
Comprehensive Catalog
There are a lot of different military medals and ribbons, and the number is still monumental even if you narrow it down simply to Air Force medals. It’s important to find a supplier who stocks all of the current ribbons and ensures that they’re consistently in stock. Finding a collection that doesn’t have gaps in the full library can be challenging, and finding one that doesn’t have a backlog on stock can be even more difficult. Make sure you take the time to scope out the selection before you decide to pull the trigger and start building a shopping cart for the medals you need.
Quality Construction
Getting a replica medal online isn’t ever going to be the same as receiving it in person, but if you’re looking for a memento for your collection or a facsimile to display in lieu of the real thing, finding a replica made from authentic and high-quality materials is important. Look for companies like USAMM who are geeks for the little details. Their medals are painstakingly accurate representations of real military medals, and they even use materials like anodized metals to make sure that the results look good and are able to stand the test of time.
Smart Navigation
The Air Force hands out a lot of medals, and if you’ve been in the service for a long time, that means hunting down all the replicas of medals for your collection could take some serious effort. A vast catalog is important, but so are adequate tools and interfaces for digging through that catalog. That’s especially true if you’re creating shadow boxes or other display pieces that are designed to put your medals front and center.
That’s what makes tools like USAMM’s EZR system so cool. They use really in-depth filtering and search tools to help you find exactly what you need and even offer a step-by-step guide to building out your own military display pieces. There couldn’t be an easier way to shop, and they do a great job of making sure that you don’t forget anything important while shopping or constructing a piece.
Knowledge and Understanding
The last thing you need to do is buy medals from someone who doesn’t know what they’re talking about. Finding a site that knows their stuff is important, and doubly so if you intend to be a recurring shopper. The Armed Forces Super Store includes a dedicated blog devoted to the interests and experiences of service members, but it’s just one aspect of a customer service experience that understands the unique needs of veterans and active members of the armed services.
You worked hard to earn your Air Force medals, and you deserve to show them off with pride. That means finding a partner that will work for you. Whether you’re looking for an Air Force achievement medal or a ribbon rack for displaying your awards, take the time to find a company that will provide you with quality results.
