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2013-02-17 Home Front: WoT
Backlash against new US medal for drone pilots
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Posted by Fred 2013-02-17 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11130 views ]  Top

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

#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||   2013-02-17 10:11|| Front Page Top

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

#4 outranking even the Bronze Star.

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

#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||   2013-02-17 11:09|| Front Page Top

#6 People are going to be outraged.

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

#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||   2013-02-17 11:39|| Front Page Top

#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||   2013-02-17 11:51|| Front Page Top

#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||   2013-02-17 12:27|| Front Page Top

#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||   2013-02-17 13:31|| Front Page Top

#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||   2013-02-17 15:03|| Front Page Top

#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||   2013-02-17 17:28|| Front Page Top

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

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

#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||   2013-02-17 20:36|| Front Page Top

#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||   2013-02-17 21:14|| Front Page Top

#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||   2013-02-17 23:10|| Front Page Top

23:10 SteveS
22:59 Zhang Fei
22:37 Water Modem
22:36 JosephMendiola
22:34 Water Modem
22:27 JosephMendiola
22:26 Frank G
22:20 Procopius2k
22:07 badanov
21:48 JosephMendiola
21:48 Pappy
21:41 tipper
21:33 CrazyFool
21:28 JosephMendiola
21:15 Redneck Jim
21:14 KBK
21:11 Redneck Jim
21:08 Barbara
21:04 lord garth
21:02 KBK
20:45 trailing wife
20:36 swksvolFF
20:34 Frank G
20:32 lotp









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