New medal for modern warfare sparks strong reaction

[unhappycamper]

http://www.stripes.com/news/new-medal-for-modern-warfare-sparks-strong-reaction-1.208025



The Distinguished Warfare Medal, which could go to servicemembers who never set foot in a combat zone, but launch drone strikes or cyberattacks that kill or disable an enemy.

New medal for modern warfare sparks strong reaction

~snip~

The medal will rank immediately below the Distinguished Flying Cross — and higher than the Bronze Star — in order of precedence, according to a Defense Department chart. It can be awarded for any actions after Sept. 11, 2001.



unhappycamper comment: Trigger-pullers everywhere can rejoice.

[unhappycamper]

1. The VFW Responds:

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013/02/14/vfw-wants-new-medal-ranked-lower.html?comp=1198882887570&rank=9

VFW Wants New Medal Ranked Lower

[Victor_c3]

5. Don't forget that this is a medal for the Air Force

They get medals for qualifying on their weapons

[catnhatnh]

2. Cough cough (bullshit) cough.... N/T

[earthside]

3. Combat!

I remember in the old 'Combat!' television series (still one of my all time favorite programs), Sgt. Saunders, played by the great Vic Morrow, won't ever accept a medal. Whenever an officer (like Lt. Hanley, played by Rick Jason) would put him in for a medal, Saunders would decline saying that they were all in in together and they all did their part.

I always thought that that sentiment portrayed the most profound kind of courage and humility ... of course, it was just a television show. And, of course, WWII was a completely different kind of war -- most of the World War II vets that I knew were more like that: they did what had to be done and weren't trying to hang on to their war days as a big part of the rest of their lives.

The idea that someone would be given a medal for watching a video screen and hitting a button in the safety of a 'bunker' in Virginia or Colorado and remotely killing a possible enemy is, well, kind of disgusting.

[undergroundpanther]

4. war has become a video game.

killing people via drone ,distances soldiers from whom they kill and if they feel like it's a video game I guess the thinking in the perverse mind of the military would lead to less PTSD,and less costs at the VA...Less homeless or injured veterans means more workers after discharge to exploit. killing by remote control,it makes fighting a war almost cowardly and human life of others cheap.

http://zengersmag.blogspot.com/2012/11/killing-by-remote-control-medea.html

[sarisataka]

6. Another medal for

officers to give to each other. In some areas of Iraq, it was said: "Don't forget to pick up your Bronze Star at the end of the chow line", coming from some who were awarded the Star...

Why a separate medal? Such activity could be covered by service Achievement, Commendation medals, Aerial Achievement medal or even, arguably, a Bronze Star less a V device.

[Victor_c3]

7. Our dining hall NCOIC got a Bronze Star for his Service in Iraq

He never left the base except to go home on his two week leave and to go home at the end of the deployment.

Meanwhile the Soldiers and junior NCOs in my platoon just received ARCOMs for their service in Iraq. The only guys who got BSMs in my platoon were guys who died, myself (the platoon leader) and my Platoon Sergeant.

My 1SG got a Silver Star, my company XO got a Silver Star (I think, but I might be wrong), and my Company Commander got a Silver Star. MY XO and CO, in their defense also were killed in Fallujah. My 1SG was a complete waste of a human being and just hid in his armored vehicle while the other two fought and died.

[unhappycamper]

8. Just to show you how screwed up the military has been/is:

This REMF (31E40) has two Bronze Stars for my two Vietnamese 'vacations'.

Granted I was shot at, mortared at, rocketed at and RPGed at. but I still was an REMF.