New medal for drone pilots outranks Bronze Star

[YALE]

So that shit outranks the time my grandfather earned a bronze star and a purple heart at the same time? Good to know. Do his two of each even matter now?

[Forever_frost]

And I'm calling out the guy that belittles everyone else that hasn't got shot in a combat zone.

I know why they hold different levels of importance, but why is the grunt posting up that some airman behind a joystick's actions are less important or relevant if what he does causes troops (maybe even hundreds) to avoid getting in harm's way?

My beef isn't with whether a medal should be deserved or not. My beef is him thinking that ribbon shouldn't go on row two or three. If his way of thinking is the norm, then fuck the whole awarding system.

That question I can actually answer. To get a Bronze Star with Valor it requires (repeating myself) you putting yourself in extreme danger and showing bravery in the face of the enemy. If you want to create another medal fine, but you do not make it higher on the rank than a V device. I have no idea how to make this any more clear on why I believe this way. To get a Star with a V you risk your life and often, are wounded but continue to fight. It requires sacrifice, valor, courage and determination.

Sitting in a recliner and playing Black Ops Drone Edition requires none of that. I'm not saying they aren't handy, I wish we had them when I was in. I'm saying nothing they do absolutely nothing, puts them in personal risk of harm. There is no bravery, valor or danger.

It's like believing that the guy who runs the bomb disarming robot deserves the same recognition as the guy who actually walks up to the bomb to disarm it. Same job is done, one requires you to risk yourself.

[Forever_frost]

It is this thinking that has gotten us little league games with no score keeping and everyone gets a trophy at the end of the season. Several people have already attempted to explain it, but you won't listen. The most important medals are typically those in which you were in harm's way, like a Bronze Star, Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, followed by things like being in certain theaters where the risk was greater, but not necessarily being downrange. There are ribbons handed out if you served during a conflict, but not necessarily IN the conflict; The Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal and The Global War on Terror Service Medal are two prime examples. I have the Service Medal since I served while the "War on Terror" was taking place, but I did not qualify for the Expeditionary Medal (higher ranking than the service medal) because I was not in one of the theaters.

Or like being a cook attached to 75th ranger. You get to wear the Ranger combat patch but didn't go through anything they did or risk anything to earn it. You were a cook who served them. You're still important but you risked nothing.

[Denny]

I'll just face palm myself one last time and let the heros have their day...

[bcoop]

I've missed you, Denny! Lmao!

[racrguy]

I'll just face palm myself one last time and let the heros have their day...

We're in the company of pure badassery.

[Pokulski-Blatz]

[32vfromhell]

There was an interesting image floating around of a side by side comparison between a WW1 war hero wearing a few medels versus a medal count of like a 3 star general now. Pretty interesting spread.

[Denny]

There was an interesting image floating around of a side by side comparison between a WW1 war hero wearing a few medels versus a medal count of like a 3 star general now. Pretty interesting spread.

It's what they do to help retention. Ranks and ribbons get 'em every time.

And just like in high school, it's all about the V.

[Pokulski-Blatz]

http://www.duffelblog.com/2013/02/predator-drone-is-first-recipient-of-distinguished-warfare-medal/

BAGRAM AIR BASE, AFGHANISTAN — The Defense Department has announced that THX-1138, an MQ-1 Predator Drone, will be the first recipient of the Pentagon’s newly-minted Distinguished Warfare Medal.

On 17 December, THX-1138 stayed on station for 8 hours, defending a US Special Forces A-Team from numerous attacks with its Hellfire missiles. During the action, THX-1138 repeatedly refused requests to return to base.

At the end of the day, THX-1138′s tenacity, perseverance, and valor in the face of enemy fire saved all 12 members of the team.

In the battle’s aftermath, Air Force officials pushed through paperwork to award the Distinguished Warfare Medal — created this month to honor America’s cyber and unmanned warriors — to THX-1138′s human “pilot”, Captain Leeroy Jenkins of the 323rd Fighter Wing, stationed in Nellis AFB, Nevada.


THX-1138 was taken aback.

“I hate to say it, but my human counterpart is a droneopotamus. He sits around in the Ground Control Station all day, eating Doritos, and posts a sticker on the door that says ‘Predator Pilot: Toughest Job in the Air Force.’”

THX-1138 spat and said, “Fuck that, I’d like to see his fat ass spend a few years of his life in this hell-hole.”

But thanks to the testimony of the troops THX-1138 saved, Air Force leaders reconsidered. Instead, THX-1138 is to be the first recipient of the Distinguished Warfare Medal. His human counterpart will get a Bronze Star with “V” device, a much less prestigious award.

When THX-1138 was asked why he fought so bravely, he simply responded, “Once the bullets start flying, the politics of drones go right out the window. It’s about the Reaper on your left, and the Raven on your right.”

“We’re like Buffalo Soldiers, man…fighting for a country that doesn’t even recognize us as citizens.”

[mikec]

That question I can actually answer. To get a Bronze Star with Valor it requires (repeating myself) you putting yourself in extreme danger and showing bravery in the face of the enemy. If you want to create another medal fine, but you do not make it higher on the rank than a V device. I have no idea how to make this any more clear on why I believe this way. To get a Star with a V you risk your life and often, are wounded but continue to fight. It requires sacrifice, valor, courage and determination.

Sitting in a recliner and playing Black Ops Drone Edition requires none of that. I'm not saying they aren't handy, I wish we had them when I was in. I'm saying nothing they do absolutely nothing, puts them in personal risk of harm. There is no bravery, valor or danger.

It's like believing that the guy who runs the bomb disarming robot deserves the same recognition as the guy who actually walks up to the bomb to disarm it. Same job is done, one requires you to risk yourself.

This post pretty much nails it. The medal for flying a drone should not be on an equal level as that awarded for actually putting your life on the line. Saw pics earlier of a guy that ran through a line of fire four times carrying out wounded. He right fully earned a higher ranking medal than the guy sitting behind a keyboard. That guy can crash and immediately launch another. The other guy dies.

[DallasSleeper]

Pentagon halts production of drone, cyberwarfare medal amid backlash

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013...w-cyber-medal/


The military has stopped production of a new medal for remote warfare troops -- drone operators and cyber warfighters -- as it considers complaints from veterans and lawmakers over the award, a government official said Tuesday.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has ordered a review of the Distinguished Warfare Medal, which was to be awarded to troops who operate drones and use other technological skills to fight America's wars from afar. Announcement of the review is expected at a Pentagon news conference later Tuesday.

Lawmakers and veterans groups have complained that although troops can get the new medal for work far from the battlefield, it has been ranked above medals for those who served on the front line in harm's way, such as the Purple Heart given to wounded troops.

If the review agrees with that complaint about the medal, it would likely have to be renamed and new medals manufactured, the government official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the record.

In ordering the new look at the medal, Hagel said Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey would lead a review of how the medal is ranked among others -- where it is in what the military calls "the order of precedence" of the medal, according to talking points obtained by The Associated Press.

"In light of concerns about the medal's place in the order of precedence raised by veterans organizations and a number of members of Congress ... Secretary Hagel is going to work with" Dempsey, the service secretaries and the service chiefs to review the ranking, the memo said. He wants Dempsey to report back in 30 days.

There is a practical side to the rankings. There are grades of medals -- commendation, merit, distinguished -- that affect not only the name but promotions for those still serving in uniform. Each grade gives troops a certain number of points needed for promotions.

Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced the new medal last month, saying it was meant to recognize battlefield contributions in a world of changing warfare.

"I've seen firsthand how modern tools, like remotely piloted platforms and cyber systems, have changed the way wars are fought," Panetta said. "And they've given our men and women the ability to engage the enemy and change the course of battle, even from afar."

Over the last decade of war, remotely piloted Predator and Reaper drones have become a critical weapon to gather intelligence and conduct airstrikes against terrorists or insurgents around the world. They have been used extensively on the battlefields in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as in strikes in Pakistan, Yemen and northern Africa.

Over the same time, cyberattacks have become a growing national security threat, with Panetta and others warning that the next Pearl Harbor could well be a computer-based assault.

Officials said in announcing the medal last month that it would be the first combat-related award to be created since the Bronze Star in 1944. And they said that in recognition of the evolving 21st century warfare, the medal would be considered a bit higher in ranking than the Bronze Star, but lower than the Silver Star.

The Veterans of Foreign War and other groups say that ranking it ahead of the Bronze Star and Purple Heart is an injustice to those who served on the front-lines.

John Bircher, a spokesman for the Military Order of the Purple Heart, has said the veterans groups are not objecting to the medal -- just the ranking. He said some medals ranked ahead of the Purple Heart are achievement medals that can be earned outside of war time. What bothers many veterans is that the new Distinguished Warfare Medal appears be a war-time medal that trumps acts of valor, which he finds insulting.

The backlash to the Pentagon's announcement included an online petition to the White House signed by thousands of people. The petition called the medal "an injustice to those who served and risked their lives" and asked that it not be allowed to move forward as planned.

[kidcapri]

Nothing is over! Nothing! You just don't turn it off! It wasn't my war! You asked me, I didn't ask you! And I did what I had to do to win! But somebody wouldn't let us win! And I come back to the world and I see all those maggots at the airport, protesting me, spitting. Calling me baby killer and all kinds of vile crap! Who are they to protest me? Who are they? Unless they've been me and been there and know what the hell they're yelling about!

Fuck you. I don't need to have served to have an opinion. You are a fuckin looney toon.

Is it just me, or did anyone else catch the Rambo quote?

[Forever_frost]

I caught it. I'm also pretty sure that I was called petty for objecting to this. Good to know I wasn't alone

[Forever_frost]

Update:

Hagel Eliminates Distinguished Warfare Medal

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, April 15, 2013 – Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has eliminated the Distinguished Warfare Medal, DOD officials announced today.
Instead, the military will recognize service members who directly affect combat operations without being present through distinguishing devices that will be affixed to already existing awards.
Soon after being sworn in as defense secretary Feb. 27, 2013, Hagel asked Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to lead a review of the medal.
“The Joint Chiefs of Staff, with the concurrence of the service secretaries, have recommended the creation of a new distinguishing device that can be affixed to existing medals to recognize the extraordinary actions of this small number of men and women,” Hagel said in a written release.
“I agree with the Joint Chiefs’ findings, and have directed the creation of a distinguishing device instead of a separate medal,” Hagel said in the release.
Hagel added: “The servicemen and women who operate and support our remotely piloted aircraft, operate in cyber, and others are critical to our military’s mission of safeguarding the nation.”
The distinguishing devices will serve to recognize these service members’ achievements, he said.
The undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness will develop the award criteria in close coordination with the services and the Joint Staff, officials said.
DOD announced the creation of the Distinguished Warfare Medal Feb. 13, 2013.
“I’ve always felt -- having seen the great work that they do, day-in and day-out -- that those who performed in an outstanding manner should be recognized,” then-Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said during a news conference announcing the medal.
“Unfortunately,” Panetta added, “medals that they otherwise might be eligible for simply did not recognize that kind of contribution.”
Members of veterans’ service organizations and others objected to the Distinguished Warfare Medal, officials said. The medal’s order of precedence was to be just below the Distinguished Flying Cross and just above the Bronze Star. Some commentators objected that it would rank higher than the Purple Heart -- awarded to those wounded or killed in action.
“When I came into office, concerns were raised to me about the Distinguished Warfare Medal’s order of precedence by veterans’ organizations, members of Congress and other stakeholders whose views are valued by this department’s leadership,” Hagel said.
The distinguishing devices can be affixed to awards at different levels, so, once written, the criteria for the awards must reflect that, officials said. For example, the criteria for affixing a device to an Army Commendation Medal would be different than those for a Meritorious Service Medal -- a higher award.

http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=119778