Andy, That is one awesome story, "... having a pet and for not feeding it!" this one I am going to remember for a long time.
I was in ROTC in college, and got a Good Conduct ribbon for no demerits -my first and only true military award. But darn, picked up a demerit my second year for my gig line being off!!! After year two my parents moved to Texas so I had to change schools as I could no longer afford out of state fees. My new college didn't offer an ROTC program. Ended up graduating from the University at Austin. That was almost 60 years ago now and I still have that little yellow ribbon and am very proud of it as it is my only military ward. Found out I have a bad heart valve that kept out of service during Vietnam when I tried to join after graduating college.
Air Force ROTC Sgt. me on the right!!!
Bottom line, I pretty sure your gig beat mine by a very long mile!!!!
Terry