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Home Front: WoT
Backlash against new US medal for drone pilots
2013-02-17
[Dawn] Should US drone pilots or cyber warriors thousands of miles from the battlefield be eligible for a more prestigious combat medal than soldiers maimed or killed in action?
I think they ought to get a medal hickey for every corpse.
The Pentagon concluded this week the answer is "yes" -- at least in extraordinary circumstances, and announced the creation of the Distinguished Warfare Medal, outranking even the Bronze Star.

While supporters cheered America's nod to the changing nature of warfare, it has triggered an angry backlash with some veterans and active-duty troops upset over the most substantial shakeup in the hierarchy of military medals since World War Two.

Opponents say the new medal's rank is too high and sends a signal -- inadvertently, perhaps -- that the Pentagon does not sufficiently value the sacrifices of front-line troops.

For Brian Jopek, whose 20-year-old son, Ryan, earned a Bronze Star when he was killed by a roadside kaboom in Iraq in 2006, the debate is intensely personal.

"To me it's just a slap in the face, not only for my son, me, other members of my family," Jopek, who also served in Iraq and is now a journalist in Wisconsin, told Rooters.
Posted by:Fred

#17  It's simple: you get a merit badge for being good at something. You get a medal for being heroic. Any questions?
Posted by: SteveS   2013-02-17 23:10  

#16  Sure, give 'em a medal. Should be equivalent to what you would get for the final level in Starcraft.

This is just an (amusing) job. You're no fearless warrior.
Posted by: KBK   2013-02-17 21:14  

#15  What are these fancy medals for?

Well, this one, is, uh, shorthand. And, uh, this one over here is MVP. And, uh, this is for surfing.

Well, how'd you lose your eye?

F'n around in the office. We were shooting paper clips at each other, and one of the dm fools hit me in the eye!
Posted by: swksvolFF   2013-02-17 20:36  

#14  Oh, and the Army too.
Posted by: Procopius2k   2013-02-17 19:01  

#13  No, the USAF has a leg up on the schools.
Posted by: Pappy   2013-02-17 17:45  

#12  So schools have been handing out 'participation' ribbons, seems the military is following suit.
Posted by: Jan at work   2013-02-17 17:28  

#11  We've had truck drivers who've had their vehicle blown out from under them get less than a bronze star, why should the jockeys back in the states get something more?

As Al points out, we have proficiency badges for jumpers with accoutrements so they tell whether the individual just past school or did combat jumps.

There are existing medals that can fill the function if they'd quit using them as 'end of tour' awards and use them as impact awards instead. Just add a new device [service term for a modification to an award ribbon*], to signify a difference.

* ie - oak leaf cluster (bronze and silver), 'V', numerals, etc
Posted by: Procopius2k   2013-02-17 15:03  

#10  It depends whether you think the medals should be for merit, or for taking risks?

We have badges for skill - paratroopers have different badges depending on skill. We could do the same thing for drone pilots.

The idea of giving this a higher precedence than the silver star is absurd.

Al
Posted by: Frozen Al   2013-02-17 13:31  

#9  It depends whether you think the medals should be for merit, or for taking risks?

Are there daily, weekly, or quarterly performance goals involved?

Does the recipient fully support the military's diversity policy?

Are the proper demographic boxes checked off?
Posted by: Pappy   2013-02-17 12:27  

#8  The skill level on some of the pilots and gunners is extreme. You might be dealing with 3 or so seconds of latency which is hard to compensate for. Getting the mission completed takes more skill than piloting a plane from the cockpit would.

It depends whether you think the medals should be for merit, or for taking risks?
Posted by: Bright Pebbles   2013-02-17 11:51  

#7  What not-so CrazyFool said.

US Army Infantry School, 1972:

Highly decorated Infantry Advanced course students newly returned from Vietnam, some making trips to Martin Army Hospital for treatment of war wounds; week 12 or so of 26, handed Reduction in Force (RIF) letters informing them that had 90 days remaining on active duty. As nieve young basic course students, we all watched in disbelief.

I never forgot it. I never will.
Posted by: Besoeker   2013-02-17 11:39  

#6  People are going to be outraged.

Purple Heart for Carpal tunnel?
Posted by: DepotGuy   2013-02-17 11:22  

#5  If you have any delusions about how much the Pentagon values front line troops I suggest you look at the current Rules Of Engagement in Afghanistan.

Like my mom used to say Actions speak louder than words.
Posted by: CrazyFool   2013-02-17 11:09  

#4  outranking even the Bronze Star.

Somebody tell me this is a joke
Posted by: john frum   2013-02-17 10:58  

#3  I don't know Rambler. Hemorrhoids can be pure hell! :)
Posted by: CrazyFool   2013-02-17 10:46  

#2  I don't mind the military issuing a medal for drone pilots, but it should definitely rank lower than any combat medal.
Posted by: Rambler in Virginia   2013-02-17 10:11  

#1  they should get little burning stick figure decals for their controllers
Posted by: Frank G   2013-02-17 10:01  

00:00