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Subscribe to RSSThe Distinguished Warfare Medal will be awarded for extraordinary achievement in things such as operating drones or taking part in cyber warfare. NBC's Brian Williams reports.
They fight the war from computer consoles and video screens.
But the troops that launch the drone strikes and direct the cyberattacks that can kill or disable an enemy may never set foot in the combat zone. Now their battlefield contributions may be recognized.
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced Wednesday that for the first time the Pentagon is creating a medal that can be awarded to troops who have a direct impact on combat operations, but do it from afar.
"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."
The work they do "does contribute to the success of combat operations, particularly when they remove the enemy from the field of battle, even if those actions are physically removed from the fight," he said.
Justice Department memo reveals legal case for drone strikes on Americans
The new blue, red and white-ribboned Distinguished Warfare Medal will be awarded to individuals for "extraordinary achievement" related to a military operation that occurred after Sept. 11, 2001. But unlike other combat medals, it does not require the recipient risk his or her life to get it.
Officials said the new medal will be the first combat-related award to be created since the Bronze Star in 1944.
A recognition of the evolving 21st Century warfare, the medal will be considered a bit higher in ranking than the Bronze Star, but is lower than the Silver Star, defense officials said.
The Bronze Star is the fourth highest combat decoration and rewards meritorious service in battle, while the Silver Star is the third highest combat award given for bravery. Several other awards, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, are also ranked higher, but are not awarded for combat.
Over the last decade of war, remotely-piloted Predators and Reapers have become a critical weapon to both gather intelligence and conduct airstrikes against terrorist 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.
Lawmakers wrestle with Obama drone program
The Pentagon does not publicly discuss its offensive cyber operations or acts of cyberwarfare. Considering that secrecy, it's not clear how public such awards might be in the future. The federal government, for example, launched a broad leak investigation after reports surfaced that the U.S. and Israel may have been responsible for the Stuxnet computer virus that attacked computers in Iran's main nuclear enrichment facilities.
According to the Pentagon criteria, the medal gives the military a way to recognize a single act that directly affects a combat operation, doesn't involve an act of valor, and warrants an award higher than the Bronze Star.
"The extraordinary achievement must have resulted in an accomplishment so exceptional and outstanding as to clearly set the individual apart from comrades or from other persons in similar situations," according to the Pentagon's list of criteria for the medal. It could include the "hands-on" but remote launching of a weapon and could specifically include efforts in space or cyberspace.
The medal is a brass pendant, nearly two inches tall, with a laurel wreath that circles a globe. There is an eagle in the center. The ribbon has blue, red and white stripes.
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That sounds as pathetic as the Nobel Peace Prize.
The deuce I took last night deserves a medal more than this.
WTF?! Audie Murphey & Chesty Puller are spinning in their graves...
This is ridiculous. Medals go to people who risk their lives and do something above and beyond the call of duty. To award a combat medal to somebody who is essentially playing a computer game completely out of harms way is absurd. To rank that medal above the Bronze Star is unforgivable.
100% correct .... a disgrace and slap in every combat Vet's face.
It's a little tiny medal that you can hardly see. But you can always ask one of the real soldiers in combat to borrow his magnifying glass, I guess.
A real nice thing to get a medal for being able to go home to the wife after your shift in "combat." Next yhing it will be Purple Hearts for paper cuts.
-Vietnam Vet 67-68
And driving a tank is any different?
Shape the medal like an overstuffed couch or maybe a crumpled juice box.
tromboner
Yes. A tank does not make you invincible on the battle field.
They could've found a way to recognize the best drone pilots without making a medal and ranking it higher than the Bronze Star. Boneheaded move, but let's not insult those who are operating these drones by comparing them to pimple-faced teenagers playing video games. Most of them are trained pilots and doing a very important service to our country (and the world). They've undoubtedly saved at least hundreds of American and Afghan soldiers (probably even some Pakistani soldiers) with timely interventions against approaching Taliban or al-Qaida fighters. Is that not honorable and worthy of recognition? I think it is.
As one who actually served in a theatre of operation (Viet Nam era) , I am repulsed that this new award being given for extraordinary effort as shameful to those who actually served and lived through combat. While the accomplishments of those planning and manning the drone programs may be greatly beneficial to the overall success of our military, it is still a video game atmosphere having little to do compared to previous recognitions. The "award" should certainly be subservient to the bronze star and in my opinion, quite a bit subservient. Any and all military who participated in the Manharttan Project, for example, IN ANY CAPACITY, did a whole lot more than this latest faux recognition of video warriors. I am surprised that the award is not named after Panetta and/or Obama. But I may have spoken too soon. I, for one, am one veteran who is thoroughly disgusted by the shallowness of this "recognition" and see this self congratulatory announcement as nothing but a cheapening of VIRTUALLY ALL OTHER military awards. I would welcome, ENCOURAGE, responses from veterans from any and all prior campaigns to wiegh in on this.
Maybe shape the new medal like Mrs. PacMan from the video game?
Ya driving a tank is diffrent.
Great idea, maybe "the golden joystick award". It is time that ventriloquists are recognized as well. Jeff Dunham is laughing somewhere.
So many lard-ass part-timers; how about shaping it like a big limp dick?
I'd be curious to hear what a current soldier thinks about this. Surely these drones protect them and it isn't much different than a fighter or bomber pilot over Afghanistan flying in a situation where they know the chances of getting even shot at are almost zero. Consider that B2 bombers are essentially the same as these drone pilots.
Hello folks, will these people get notches or gold stars for kills etched and pasted on their keyboards? What do they get for all the collateral kills?
Has anyone even looked into the damage this killing technology has inflicted on innocent men, women and children.
These children are innocent. They are not different from our own children.
Their lives were taken away at a very young age as part of a military agenda, which claims to be combating “international terrorism".
Who are the terrorists? Enclosed is a partial list of the children that have been murdered in our name.
The List of Names was compiled by The Bureau of Investigative Journalism
CIA Drone Strikes in Pakistan 2004–2013
Total US strikes: 362
Obama strikes: 310
Total reported killed: 2,629-3,461
Civilians reported killed: 475-891
Children reported killed: 176
Total reported injured: 1,267-1,431
US Covert Action in Yemen 2002–2013
Total confirmed US operations (all): 54-64
Total confirmed US drone strikes: 42-52
Possible extra US operations: 135-157
Possible extra US drone strikes: 77-93
Total reported killed (all): 374-1,112
Total civilians killed (all): 72-177
Children killed (all): 27-37
US Covert Action in Somalia 2007–2013
Total US strikes: 10-23
Total US drone strikes: 3-9
Total reported killed: 58-170
Civilians reported killed: 11-57
Children reported killed: 1-3
Drone Infographics
Interactive map
by Drones Team
This map details the locations of CIA drone strikes in the remote Pakistani tribal areas.
Partial List of Children Killed
PAKISTAN
Name | Age | Gender
Noor Aziz | 8 | male
Abdul Wasit | 17 | male
Noor Syed | 8 | male
Wajid Noor | 9 | male
Syed Wali Shah | 7 | male
Ayeesha | 3 | female
Qari Alamzeb | 14| male
Shoaib | 8 | male
Hayatullah KhaMohammad | 16 | male
Tariq Aziz | 16 | male
Sanaullah Jan | 17 | male
Maezol Khan | 8 | female
Nasir Khan | male
Naeem Khan | male
Naeemullah | male
Mohammad Tahir | 16 | male
Azizul Wahab | 15 | male
Fazal Wahab | 16 | male
Ziauddin | 16 | male
Mohammad Yunus | 16 | male
Fazal Hakim | 19 | male
Ilyas | 13 | male
Sohail | 7 | male
Asadullah | 9 | male
khalilullah | 9 | male
Noor Mohammad | 8 | male
Khalid | 12 | male
Saifullah | 9 | male
Mashooq Jan | 15 | male
Nawab | 17 | male
Sultanat Khan | 16 | male
Ziaur Rahman | 13 | male
Noor Mohammad | 15 | male
Mohammad Yaas Khan | 16 | male
Qari Alamzeb | 14 | male
Ziaur Rahman | 17 | male
Abdullah | 18 | male
Ikramullah Zada | 17 | male
Inayatur Rehman | 16 | male
Shahbuddin | 15 | male
Yahya Khan | 16 |male
Rahatullah |17 | male
Mohammad Salim | 11 | male
Shahjehan | 15 | male
Gul Sher Khan | 15 | male
Bakht Muneer | 14 | male
Numair | 14 | male
Mashooq Khan | 16 | male
Ihsanullah | 16 | male
Luqman | 12 | male
Jannatullah | 13 | male
Ismail | 12 | male
Taseel Khan | 18 | male
Zaheeruddin | 16 | male
Qari Ishaq | 19 | male
Jamshed Khan | 14 | male
Alam Nabi | 11 | male
Qari Abdul Karim | 19 | male
Rahmatullah | 14 | male
Abdus Samad | 17 | male
Siraj | 16 | male
Saeedullah | 17 | male
Abdul Waris | 16 | male
Darvesh | 13 | male
Ameer Said | 15 | male
Shaukat | 14 | male
Inayatur Rahman | 17 | male
Salman | 12 | male
Fazal Wahab | 18 | male
Baacha Rahman | 13 | male
Wali-ur-Rahman | 17 | male
Iftikhar | 17 | male
Inayatullah | 15 | male
Mashooq Khan | 16 | male
Ihsanullah | 16 | male
Luqman | 12 | male
Jannatullah | 13 | male
Ismail | 12 | male
Abdul Waris | 16 | male
Darvesh | 13 | male
Ameer Said | 15 | male
Shaukat | 14 | male
Inayatur Rahman | 17 | male
Adnan | 16 | male
Najibullah | 13 | male
Naeemullah | 17 | male
Hizbullah | 10 | male
Kitab Gul | 12 | male
Wilayat Khan | 11 | male
Zabihullah | 16 | male
Shehzad Gul | 11 | male
Shabir | 15 | male
Qari Sharifullah | 17 | male
Shafiullah | 16 | male
Nimatullah | 14 | male
Shakirullah | 16 | male
Talha | 8 | male
YEMEN
Afrah Ali Mohammed Nasser | 9 | female
Zayda Ali Mohammed Nasser | 7 | female
Hoda Ali Mohammed Nasser | 5 | female
Sheikha Ali Mohammed Nasser | 4 | female
Ibrahim Abdullah Mokbel Salem Louqye | 13 | male
Asmaa Abdullah Mokbel Salem Louqye | 9 | male
Salma Abdullah Mokbel Salem Louqye | 4 | female
Fatima Abdullah Mokbel Salem Louqye | 3 | female
Khadije Ali Mokbel Louqye | 1 | female
Hanaa Ali Mokbel Louqye | 6 | female
Mohammed Ali Mokbel Salem Louqye | 4 | male
Jawass Mokbel Salem Louqye | 15 | female
Maryam Hussein Abdullah Awad | 2 | female
Shafiq Hussein Abdullah Awad | 1 | female
Sheikha Nasser Mahdi Ahmad Bouh | 3 | female
Maha Mohammed Saleh Mohammed | 12 | male
Soumaya Mohammed Saleh Mohammed | 9 | female
Shafika Mohammed Saleh Mohammed | 4 | female
Shafiq Mohammed Saleh Mohammed | 2 | male
Mabrook Mouqbal Al Qadari | 13 | male
Daolah Nasser 10 years | 10 | female
AbedalGhani Mohammed Mabkhout | 12 | male
Abdel- Rahman Anwar al Awlaki | 16 | male
Abdel-Rahman al-Awlaki | 17 | male
Nasser Salim | 19
Hey Drone operators, do you feel deserving of a medal now? When is enough, enough? All of you who support war and Obama’s drone program are complicit in these children's deaths as well and their blood is on your hands!
War, what is it good for, absolutely nothing!
I think Panetta is going to far with this. I consider this a slap in the face of every combat veteran who has ever been shot at IN COUNTRY, not thousands of miles away playing a "lets kill them game," with a game controller!
I don't doubt that a few civilians have been killed by drone strikes (they always are in war, though many fewer this way than in ground operations).
Having said that, the above list of names is mostly bogus speculation based on self-reporting by those associated with the Taliban and al-Qaida. The "Bureau of Investigative Journalism" has not been on scene for any of what they are reporting on. They have an agenda which is to stop drone operations and that drives their work. Hardly an objective source. Interviews are unverified, just taken as fact. So of course the Taliban are funneling people to them as fast as they can to create a false narrative of civilians being slaughtered which the Bureau eagerly slurps up. So a lot of the final report is just hearsay propaganda.
I disagree. This is a new medal that doesn't require you even be at any battles. It's worth what it's worth. No one will think less of someone with a CMO or SS because of this. This is simply a way to honor people through their skills rather then physical prowess that save lives. Wouldn't you people think some notice should be given if 50 lives were saved due to the skill of a drone pilot?
A ribbon maybe, a medal uh Pinheada has outlasted his usefulness in this administration but then again so have the rest of them. I wonder if they get any extra points for droning US citizens?
@ Larry- 36707
I'm afraid that you just don't get it Larry.
But then again you have a picture of The Rock as your avatar.
Those number seem low compared to the horrific numbers killed by ground actions and air strikes during Bush. How does that compare to ground actions conducted by Bush? As I recall there were also several air strikes that hit wedding parties and other celebrations causing hundreds of civilian deaths when Bush was president. Is there really a difference between civilian deaths by drones or air strikes?
Because the Rock would get it. A shame you aren't smart enough to argue my points. I do indeed get it.
Drones are a great tool that cannot be denied but to award a medal to these video game warriors that rates higher than a Bronze Star is absolutely wrong. This cheapens the heroics of those who risked life and limb while drone jockeys might risk tunnel carpal syndrome. Panetta has been listening to too many of his staffers or quite possibly his Chief of Staff. I am totally dumbfounded by this. Put those video jockeys in an F-18 in combat to earn those medals. Talk about cheapening the meaning of combat medals this one tops it.
Your mixing Metals from Awards. You get awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) from being in combat as a Infantryman under 11 or 18 MOS in Combat Arms. You get a Metal for having been in Country showing you served there at the time. Your also Awarded the Silver Star Medal for your actions you don't get the Metal.
Your argument shows your ignorance. This type of medal would no more lessen the respect someone gets for having a CMO then a Purple Heart gotten for a flesh wound or scratch does.
Intellect it is not higher than a Bronse Star it's a Service Metal showing who they were in that MOS for Combat Operations.
Welcome to the Future- it is now.
I dub thee award, The Duke Nukem Medal.
Good. I for one approve of the idea of making warfare less risky, more abstract, and most importantly, cheaper, both in terms of financial and human cost. This is what I call making progress as a society!
zaruski
Its what I call erosion and terrorism.
Moshuluu, did you mean "Panetta is going to fart with this..", or "..going too far"?
And shouldn't they really be called drone "operators", not "pilots"?
A medal for killing innocent men, women and children.
This country has lost its dignity.
You got to be kidding??!! Lay it on me. It's a joy-stick?!
Sad, very sad. I thought kindergarten was over for the military folks but, Panetta did not get it, as usual.
What a fu_king accomplishment playing video games with real ammunition.
Hey boys and girls, it reflects the ever changing art of war. Let go of the past, but remember it for it is what brought us to this new era. WWll had carpet bombing, and we do what now? The silence is deafening. Pin point accuracy doesn't mean anything compared to how it used to be? These people earned their place behind those "joy sticks". They actually watch the destruction they cause, mistakes and all. Ptsd is no longer limited to the ground pounders. Give me a break. There will always be collateral damage in war, but it's a damn sight less than it used to be. Mankind is a long way off from eliminating war altogether, if it ever can. As long as there are two human beings alive on this planet, there will be a difference of opinion. And there you go.
It is a shame how this liberal government play politic lowering the bar for medal recipients. I don't thing the honored soldier will walk proud of their medal, known than any soldier in the front line risk their life and never rewarded. Give the medal to the drone suckers "he " is the one that is risking his "life".LOL
My Dad was shooting Nazis in Italy in the snow.He was with the 10th mountain division.He was wounded and awarded a purple heart and a bronze star.The bronze star being lower than these drone pilots medal is disgraceful.Drone pilots don't risk their lives in face to face combat.Give them a medal s they do save lives but not one that ranks above the medals awarded to those on the ground,ships and planes.
This is what you get when the people "leading" the military not only know nothing about it (they never served), but they are also liberal elitists who generally loathe all things military....until, of course, they get the job and the glory that goes with it. Good riddance, Mr Panetta.
Yay for our cyber warriors! They deserve it.
Oh give me a break....(eyeroll) a video game award?!?! Can't they just have the screen flash something saying "winner" with a few electronic noises. Such knights of the keyboard! This is beyond ridiculous. It is time to dig up that old classic Star Trek episode about a computer war.
Some of the biggest trouble spots for the world like Paki Islamic militant and nuke areas and some Islamic killing fields in Yemen, Nigeria, Sudan and Mali need carpet bombings.
Islamic extremists are mercilessly indulging in killing and genocides without bothering about any big words like "innocents", "women and children", "human rights" and so on.
Did those Saudis and Pakis involved in 9/11 bother about any of the big words?
In such places drone attacks are not enough.
In Afghanistan, Pakis have backstabbed the US and NATO forces big time. Half of NATO forces deaths are due to ungrateful and backstabbing Pakis.
When the NATO forces were entering Kandahar in 2001, Pakis airlifted key al-Qaida, Taliban, ISI and others militants by back door from Kandahar.
This includes Mullah Omar, Osama and many including Paki Haqqani militant network leaders.
Hope people remember about Pakis sheltering Osama.
These Paki Islamic religious Nazis don't bother about their people and they are into reckless killing games in the name of jihad.
To reduce NATO forces losses, carpet bomb Paki militant areas just like 1991 Iraqi war.
Also extend carpet bombings to other areas to reduce our losses.
You people make me sick. They are soldiers of The United States of America. Soldiers who are trained in the skill of UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) piloting. Piloting a UAV requires years of training and is no easy task. Recognition for their dedication is necessary.
Hey Empress and all the rest of you nay sayers. Before you abuse, criticize and accuse, walk a mile in their shoes. They kill more people in one shot than the average infantry soldier kills in 100 shots. they also get to see it happen in real time. Anywhere between 1 and 100 people dead in an instant, in real time. If they did it on erroneous info THEY have to live with it. Granted, they're not getting shot at and enduring the heat, cold and direct fire. But they see their mistakes up close and personal on their video screens. And the erroneous info comes from where? It's the new face of warfare. Get with it or get left behind. These people have my vote!
ps: Just how many ground pounders do you think are alive today because of those behind "the joy sticks"?
YEP! They deserve a medal for violating our Constitution, and its 5th Amendment, " nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law" of a US citizen! We need to give any soldier a medal for deciding to forsake our Constitution and to look at US citizens as the enemy! We can make them all proud of that accomplishment by awarding them a medal!I would hope that more people look into the NDAA and the indefinite detention clause: rt.com/usa/news/obama-ndaa-detention-president-288/ The Senate passed a rewitten version of this clause, for NDAA 2013 unanimously, But it was stripped from the bill, leaving it the same as it was for NDAA 2012, which basically is giving the military the power to arrest and hold US citizens, without the writ of habeus corpus! But Obama promises that it won't be abused according to article cited!
Saving a whole squad of American soldiers out on patrol because a UAV operator alertly spotted an ambush ahead and blew it up, that's not worthy of commendation in your world? It is in mine.
@captcurt, comment 1.46 What ground pounders do we have in Yemen, Pakistan and Somalia that that are alive today because of "the joy sticks" , and how many innocents are killed by these very same drones?
What is the drone pilot that KILLED the US Marine and Navy Medic going to receive???
see article - telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/8445063/Afghanistan-US-servicemen-killed-in-first-drone-friendly-fire-incident.html
He will receive the same thing that the CIA pilots receive - NOT ACCOUNTABLE...
While I think drones operated in a combat area, SAVE US Troops lives. The CIA operators are making many more terrorist than they kill and the US Citizens will be on the receiving end...
Currently the KILL ratio is ONE - Terrorist & 50+INNOCENTS on average during a supposed successful drone strike...
BTY - If he receives this medal, he can also have the ribbons & medals I received during my 26+years serving in the USMC...
@TrustVerify and others
Nice list but most of those people are probably the families/relatives/supporters of the insurgents. They are allowing the insurgents to operate by feeding, sheltering, resupplying, etc. them. No drone pilots purposely target civilians. The same can't be said of the insurgents who frequently even do public executions of civilians.
AC, so just because there is one (as yet unconfirmed) "friendly fire" incident involving a drone killing two American soldiers, are you imagining that it's anything new to the battlefield? I assure you that jet fighter/bombers present many times greater risk of friendly fire than UAVs do.
Also, you write:
Where do you get that obviously fraudulent statistic from? Anyone who believes that will believe anything.
Adam44,
"Just one in 50 victims of America’s deadly drone strikes in Pakistan are terrorists – while the rest are innocent civilians, a new report claimed today."
The authoritative joint study, by Stanford and New York Universities, concludes that men, women and children are being terrorised by the operations ’24 hours-a-day’.
And the authors lay much of the blame on the use of the ‘double-tap’ strike where a drone fires one missile – and then a second as rescuers try to drag victims from the rubble. One aid agency said they had a six-hour delay before going to the scene.
Read more: #ixzz2Kr4jjqIF
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
But I'm assuming that YOU believe the current reports by the CIA:
1. In December 2012, the CIA claimed to have executed a perfect strike that killed nine militants near Pakistan-Afghanistan border. But British and Pakistani journalists on the ground reported that the strikes killed at least 18, including six innocent civilians...
2. The CIA said that drone strikes didn't kill a single civilian in 2011. In January 2011, an anonymous administration official told Bloomberg News, "The CIA since mid-2008 has executed about 200 strikes, killing roughly 1,300 militants and 30 non-combatants." According to today's Times report, another administration official put the number of civilian deaths since Obama took office "in the single digits."
The Obama/CIA policy - "It in effect counts all military-age males in a strike zone as combatants, according to several administration officials, unless there is explicit intelligence posthumously proving them innocent," the Timesreports... see article - huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/29/drone-attacks-innocent-civilians_n_1554380.html
I also bet you also believe that only 35+civilians died during the 4+days of bombing on Baghdad, by Clinton & the UK, during 1998...
Adam44,
Unconfirmed 'Friendly Fire' causality???
By Keith Rogers
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Posted: Apr. 1, 2012 | 1:59 a.m.
Updated: Apr. 2, 2012 | 10:56 a.m.
Robert Rast is still searching for answers a year after his son was killed in Afghanistan in the first-ever friendly fire incident involving an Air Force Predator drone missile strike...
He wants Pentagon leaders to hold those who were involved accountable and take bigger steps to prevent accidents like the one that killed Benjamin David Rast, a 23-year-old Navy hospitalman from Niles, Mich., and Jeremy D. Smith, a 26-year-old Marine staff sergeant, from Arlington, Texas...
Once-secret transcripts and affidavits in the investigation report of the April 6, 2011, incident don't pin blame squarely on anyone involved: the remorseful Predator crew at Creech, Air National Guard intelligence specialists who monitored the drone's video feed in Terre Haute, Ind., or Marines on the ground in Afghanistan who called for the missile strike after their platoon was attacked with small arms and machine-gun fire.
see article - lvrj.com/news/predator-strike-that-killed-sailor-angers-father-145471115.html
we already have a medal for pilots called the flying cross. but since they are not pilots I don't have a problem with them being recognized but not higher than the bronze star that's just not right and cheapens what all past recipients have done to be awarded it.
Empress-409341, these video game warriors could score points that could then be redeemed at their local commissary. At the same time I am NOT a supporter of any war especially ones that are not a direct threat to our safety and welfare as a nation. Those we have seen in the past two decades have been theoretically stated as a threat. Well those theories have equated to the creation of safe havens for terrorists and the causality for recruitment of more terrorists. Yet, we have no proof of WMD's or any direct threats. I perceive this new warfare keeps feeding the Military Industrial Complex on the high end and of course the munitions companies.
Classic Panetta. Wants so bad to have a legacy. Creates a war medal that will be here for decades. But I think the ladies and gents back in supply who procure the missiles and get them on site to be loaded are actually the ones responsible for killing the bad guys with the drones. without them you can fly that puppy all day and you're not going to kill anybody. OR maybe it's the ladies and gents who put the fuel in it. For without them, it's not getting off the ground. Or maybe the guys who invented the optics so the geek can see where he is flying. OR maybe it's the engineers who invented the satellite, or the ones who built the rocket that put the satellite up there. This is a silly award invention, classic Panetta.
This medal is a prelude to other events like PTSD for operating a computer. I always wondered what all those medals were for with women generals since they never saw a battle field in their life.
Well AC, I still don't believe the propaganda about 1 militant versus 50 civilians killed in every drone strike. Not even close. Complete Bullcrap!
@Pandora, comment 1.51, Then it is okay to arrest your family members, especially the innocent children, if one person in it commits a crime, as it would be guilt by association! Let alone take away their life!
@mikep comment 1.27, Read again "A recognition of the evolving 21st Century warfare, the medal will be considered a bit higher in ranking than the Bronze Star, but is lower than the Silver Star, defense officials said."
@Larry, comment ,1.22, Your comment brings up the point of those deaths you mention, but you seem to think are okay. That is, we were at war for the supposed reason of Weapons of Mass Destruction, and we are still waiting for their location! The other point is how come we are the ones allowed to have these weapons and use them, in other sovereign nations, that we are not at war with?!
@ Obama's, Are border patrol agents, soldiers? Or are you talking about this: thenewamerican.com/usnews/foreign-policy/item/13473-us-troops-working-with-mexico-on-drug-war
@ Dick, comment 1.60 most medals are not for valor but are campaign or accomplishment medals. That is the reason for the medals you mention. If you are in the location or are attached to a unit that receives one they would get one! Heck, you even get one for completing basic training, good conduct, shooting ability, etc..
Explain to me how this new medal is higher than the bronze star defined as:
"Bronze Star Medal
Criteria: A U.S. Armed Forces individual military decoration and the fourth-highest award for bravery, heroism or meritorious service."
This so called heroic war has fed companies like Halliburton, Blackwater and the thousands of private contractors who now peel the potatoes instead of the troops and had absolutely nothing to do with the defense of our country.
The returning troops wonder why the country does not give them "heroes welcome". They volunteered to join fighting a war in Iraq (even if they did have WMD's, many countries do and we don't invade them) in which our homeland was never threatened or attacked by them. It never made sense then, just as it doesn't make any more sense now.
Now, everyone wants a medal; even those playing UAV games with the "boogeymen" we created.
Why aren't the same medals given for the promotion of peace?
Well, I guess we can't have their feelings hurt. Why not create a new medal just slightly higher than the MOH given to all personnel in the military just for joining? Everyone can get their warm and fuzzies then. /sarcasm
I can see an award for doing something great deed like flying through massive enemy fire to strike and turn the tide of the battle. But don't make it above any award for valor. That's just not right.
@Debi, comment 1.68, They believe that fighting is bringing about peace, so they are getting medals for promotion of peace....Aw, lifes ironies. Do we ever learn?
Unfortunately garbageman, no, we never learn.
The few who have been gifted with higher intelligence and ambition control the masses.
Nice posts Debi, It's a breath of fresh air to read some enlightened comments. Keep up the good fight!
TrustVerify:
I believe a few of us were gifted with the brains of insight, but not with the "conquering" ambition.
Well, when a tank blows up the crew probably gets blown up too or at best has a really bad day. When a drone blows up it's pilot goes back to the mess hall grabs something to drink and pouts for a bit. I'm sure there's some paperwork involved too somewhere.
Gneisenau: I agree but am sad that you had to explain that to anyone. The fact that you have to explain it means the new medal will have wide acceptance among Americans. Should the Patriot missile operators get bravery medals when they fire a missile and it hits it's target ? After all they usually are in btween the incoming and it's target or do they not count becuase they are in the field ? Should pilots of manned planes ( the ones who actually go in harms way) get bravey medals when they fire a missile or guns and hit their targets ? All these provoking questions caused by Panetta trying to leave something on the books with his name on it. He's such a kidder.
@garbageman. Don't kid yourself. We have people on the ground in Yemen. Might not be company or battalion strength, but they're there. It's called Special Ops. Like I said...."the new face of warfare". Pull your head out son. My apologies to everyone else, I just fed a troll. My bad.
It takes real courage and putting yourself in high danger operating a joystick from the air conditioned comfort and safety of your office. Sarcasm duly intended.
@Capt comments 1.46and 1.76, You talk of things without knowledge ie. trolls, youth, sometimes your comments, etc., but you are the one that actually lacks maturity by being defensive, to someone who responded to your comment! Explain your definition of "ground pounders", Is it because of their MOS, that they are training Yemenis, that they are protection for the Embassy or that they are involved in "actual combat"? I would also request your proof that our "ground pounders" in Yemen have had their lives saved by the"joy sticks" as you proclaim! Actual combat action has been my definition since I served in the military during Vietnam era[notice how old I am]! I would suppose if they fit into that category, they should of been able to capture and extract the US citizens that were targeted by these drone operators, in violation of the 5th Amendment " nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law", or gotten the Yeminis to assist in their capture, since we trained them in their[read our] fight against terrorism. Remember that one of these US targeted citizens was 16 years old that was killed along with other kids that he was with! This is about them getting a medal that is higher in ranking than the Bronze Star as written: " the medal will be considered a bit higher in ranking than the Bronze Star, but is lower than the Silver Star, defense officials said." The Bronze Star definition:
"Bronze Star Medal
Criteria: A U.S. Armed Forces individual military decoration and the fourth-highest award for bravery, heroism or meritorious service." How do these drone operators fit into any category above that definition? How does it earn a medal in the valor category? At best it should be a medal given to their Unit!
This is NOT a combat medal.
Because the military personnel involved are not "in combat" they are not eligible to earn a combat medal, such as the bronze star, service branch cross, and certainly not the CMH.
However, these men and women who direct the unmanned aircraft DO contribute to combat operations.
This is not a simple medal that every computer jockey will obtain, the criteria is for extraordinary achievement in support of combat operations:
Simply because a person does not literally put their life on the line does not mean that they do not serve while in the military. It also does not mean that what they do is not respected and applauded by those of the highest levels.
I, for one, applaud the SoD for this. The world has changed. Combat is no longer simply a person running around a foreign land with their gun in hand. It is time for the DoD to recognize those who are extraordinarily good at this new type of warfare.
Do the trash can emptiers who empty the trash cans supporting combat operations qualify for a medal, too?
Oh, nevermind. We now pay private contractors for those, and many other former military duties.
Ah heck, just give everybody a medal.
Gman, you still don't see it. It's the new face of warfare. To quote Bob Dylan...."and the times they are a'changin." Opinions are like a-holes, everybody has one. But it's up to the military to decide who gets what and what it's value is, not us. It just seemed to me that a majority of the posters want to unequivocally deny these new breed of soldiers any medal at all. That's just plain wrong!!!! They're fighting the war too, and dealing with the death and destruction they cause. One of the most stressful jobs in the world is that of the A.T.C. These people have the job af an A.T.C. with the power to kill. Imagine that. They get an order to hit this or that target. They play with their "joy stick" and drop the ordinance. They watch as it homes in on and destroys that target. If it's the wrong target due to erroneous info, they have to deal with that. You'll sleep well that night, but they probably won't. Like I originally said, before you abuse, criticize and accuse, walk a mile in their shoes. I served in Nam, my son did three tours in the sand. That's enough for both of us. I don't even want to go anywhere near the shoes these people wear. Do you? If the majority of active duty soldiers, sailors and airmen take exception to the awarding of these medals and or the ranking of such, let's hope the brass will modify their decision. If they do, they do. If they don't, they don't. It's not up to us. The fact remains that these people are definately fighting men and women and deserve the appropriate recognition, whatever the military decides that should be. Be well, my friend.
Excluding Vietnam because that was a forced draft, it is very difficult to pat people on the back for volunteering to kill and fight a "war" benefiting only corporations.
After over ten years, I still must remove my shoes before boarding an airplane, my cell phone calls and internet communications are being monitored and recorded by the government in Utah, thanks to the military, drones will be coming soon to my neighborhood and I can't even make a monetary transaction over the phone without a third party's involvement.
That is the result of all that fighting "keeping this country safe from the boogeyman".
Debi-1314897, to quote Jeb Bush at the RNC in Florida, "Well, my brother made us safer." And yet our Constitutional rights have been abridged by the Patriot Act I & II with II being made in the dark of the night while Congress was out on recess. What happened to our right to full participation by vote? I do not recall during more than my half century on this Earth giving this right up.
Intellect:
Securatization is not reality. It is a process carried out by political elites and the media which set up governmentality techniques to control the society, keep the power and legimate the system.
•Foucault defines "governmentality" as the art of the government. You set up an enemy inside the country and it drags peoples reaction, violently, towards that enemy. This governmentality allows political elites keep to power in this way.
•Spreading such popular fear, modern states seem to employ the discourse of securitization as a political technique with a capacity to integrate a society politically by staging a credible existential threat in the form of an internal enemy, an enemy that is fabricated by security agencies, like police, through categorizing migration together with drug trafficking, human trafficking, international criminality and terrorism. This is actually according to Edward Said, “Orientalist discourse”. This is not new, orientalist discourse has always been there. Even older Chinese thinkers and statesman from 500BC stated that "they are by far not as many demons and ghosts as we let people think there are".
The white hatted governmental system we were propagandized to believe is not real and as it turns out, the Wizard of Oz (democratic government) is only some illusionist operating behind the curtain controlling the blind masses.
I agree. Keep us afraid of our shadows and control comes. It is like religion but this is going out of fashion so we they bring forth another means to control the masses. Thankfully not all of us buy into this nonsense. Not all people are sheep being led to slaughter.
Unfortunately Intellect, through the actions of the sheep, it's not just the sheep who get caught up and forced into the slaughter. That's what concerns me.
Damn, can I get medals for flying one from my easy chair too? I probably would not be getting one, though. I would have launched an armed drone at the first sign of disturbance in Benghazi to view and assist the people there. I don't think I would have waited for orders from above. Then I would probably be executed for trying to save their lives. Go figure. Oh, well.
the gamer combat medal ! and who said playing video games is a waste of time !
how about a combat medal for supply clerks, does anyone know how infected a paper cut can get ! ouch
or combat medal for cooks at any moment a steam kettle might get super hot and cook something !
No more then someone can get a Congressional Medal of Honor for simply being at a battle. Your actions would require you to show extraordinary skill that saved lives.
Very few infantry see the big picture. Infantry can't do their job without ammo, food, air support, medevac, intelligence support, aircraft mechanics, transportation hauling fuel,etc Take away one cog in the wheel and the wheel stops. Get over it, it takes the whole team. Everyone in the military should be proud of where they fit in to the big picture & those of you that think you or your outfit is the only one contributing are uninformed and ignorant.
Larry, There is no Crogressional Medal of Honor, it is the Medal of Honor. Get the facts before making comments
Larry, It's called the Medal of Honor, not Congressional Medal of Honor.
you got a bronze star for serving in 101st airborne in nam for 1 year in IV corps. how you served didn't matter
grunt, REMF.........whatever
Thank you. I did not know.
Yes, it's called a unit citation/award. It's a team operation, though some individuals think they are the only one doing anything important.
This is a slap in the face to every combat Vet who ever served in close combat and never received a Bronze Star, Silver Star or higher ... but now a Drone desk jockey gets one for just flying a Drone safely from 3,000 miles away from the front... this is shameful and disgusting and quite frankly a disgrace... it should not be authorized.
Dan Francis (1st Lt.,. USMC(Ret.) -
Now you know how we feel about John Kerry and his Purple Hearts.
Sir,
I take offense to your term "Drone desk jockey"
With all due respect Sir, not all "Drone desk jockeys" just get these medals for flying a drone safely from thousands of miles away. I would know. I was one of them and I was mere few miles from the enemy that was volleying IDF on us daily and nightly. I flew hundreds of sorties from right in the middle of "the @!$%#". I was at an airfield right smack dab between Ramadi and Fallujah on "many" deployments from 2004-2007. I also was embedded with 2/5 Marines with Weapons Co. at Hurricane Point during some of the more major offensives in Ramadi in late 2005. I guided my fellow Marines with downlink from the A/C circling above while were being engaged. Many of us have done this same thing all over the world. My unit was also one of the most highly deployed units in the entire Armed Forces including MARSOC, SOCOM, and DEVGRU.
I do take issue with the medal's ranking. It should be ranked right around a NAM. BUT, It should not even be mentioned in the same sentence as a Bronze Star.
I saved a lot of men's lives over there and hell of alot of guys are six feet under because of my direct actions. So YES SIR With all due respect, we deserve some recognition.
Anonymous CPL., USMC (Ret.)
John Kerry served in country, in Vietnam, son, his medals and wounds are well documented, so quit being so damn ignorant.
Meatsuit: You get it but sadly most keyboard warriors on here never will. They think awarding a purple heart to someone for getting a thorn in their butt is justified because they were in a war zone but awarding a medal to someone who saves lives through their skills doesn't deserve any recognition. Purple hearts are awarded even when an injury was due to the stupidity of the recipient but awarding exceptional skill that saves lives isn't worthy of recognition.
Apparently you've never read those documents or you wouldn't be so impressed. It would have been hard to bash him for his medals had they been earned in battle and worthy of a medal.
Meatsuit-
Thank you for serving. Thank you for giving us the view point from someone who actually performed this job, as to what kind of and/rank the medal should be. It is not the same as sitting around in your boxers playing Call of Duty, as some seem to think.
It's also sad that it's now pitting the men and women who served in combat and who'd been awarded medals, against you all.
All of you who have served and done tours, you guys need to stick together. My daughter's husband did 2 tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He had a really bad weekend a few months ago, but his buddies dropped everything and came running as fast as they could. Spent the whole weekend until he could get an appt. with the VA, who are waaay short staffed.
So. You guys need each other.
Army daughter and mother-in-law
Yes, Thank You MeatSuit for bringing some sanity and reality to this topic. A lot of people have an idiotic cartoon notion of what UAV operators do. Others are just using the topic here to dump garbage on American servicemen and women, and our country in general. One seemingly knowledgable poster writes that the new medal is NOT ranked above a Bronze Star. I'm not sure who is right but, if true, it wouldn't be the first time that a reporter got something wrong. The unfortunate thing is that it gives all the haters a golden opportunity to savage a critical program in the fight against terrorism all around the world, and the dedicated Americans who are serving in it. The worst slander of all is that drone/uav operators target civilians. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Finally, I want to Thank You for your years of service. Everyone who is popping off on this subject should read your post and then think twice about the crap they're slinging around.
MeatSuit,
It it a world of difference between the average drone jockey and your EXPERIENCES...
The US Military drone pilots are usually associated with the Combat troops they are protecting. Though there are those that are just ferry pilots for the CIA drone operators...
It is the CIA piloted drones that are killing without ACCOUNTABILITY and racking-up the large numbers of INNOCENTS & CHILDREN being KILLED...
BTY - When the Marines were recruiting their UAV techs/pilots during the early 1980s. Many of my Avi Techs were sent, they did not want SNCOs... Ha! Ha!
And you are correct, this recognition should rank with a NAM and/or service ribbon, if they were in CONUS. If they served in a Combat area while preforming these duties, that should also be recognized, just like a Pilot that few in Combat..
AC, you are correct to make a distinction between military in-field operators versus cia out-of-area operators. However, your insistance on claiming that 50 civilians are killed (by the cia operators) for every terrorist killed is simply hogwash. Why do you peddle such an obvious lie?
Adam44,
Read my reply above...
Outrage at CIA's deadly 'double tap' drone attacks
Report claims just one in fifty victims of 'surgical' US strikes in Pakistan are known militants. Jerome Taylor reports on a deadly new strategy... see article - independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/outrage-at-cias-deadly-double-tap-drone-attacks-8174771.html
There are numerous reports of the CIVILIAN casualities by Media outlets from around the World. Just because the PU$$Y US Media is afraid to venture into Afghanistan or Pakistan, others ARE NOT...
Most non-government estimates put the civilian count much higher, but ascertaining even an approximate number of civilian casualties has been difficult. Pakistan forbids journalists and human rights workers from traveling to the sites of attacks, and the U.S. government, again, wavers between refusing to acknowledge the drone program exists and crowing about its successes. So estimates among journalism outlets vary, as do estimates among human rights organizations. Even estimates within a single organization often include wide ranges. The Bureau of Investigative Journalism estimates 2,464-3,145 drone killings in Pakistan alone since 2004, with 484-828 of the deaths civilian. The New American Foundation's estimates are 1,807 to 2,795 deaths, with approximately 300-500 of them civilian. Daniel Byman of the Brookings Institution puts the civilian count much higher, estimating 10 civilian deaths for every militant killed by U.S. drones... see article - huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/29/drone-attacks-innocent-civilians_n_1554380.html
None of which comes even close to your 50 civilians for every militant killed figure. Even the 10 civilians for every militant is hogwash. It's more like 1 civilian for every terrorist killed, a small margin of error that has never been accomplished before in the history of warfare.
I meant 1 civilian for every TEN terrorists killed, is closer to the truth.
AC,
I don't where your getting your information with these numbers or your ridiculously low claim that the CIA is just killing indiscriminately with no accountability, no rules of egagement etc. Is absolutely and categorically false.
Why do you propagate this lie that the CIA is the boogy man and they are just do whatever they want with no oversight. It's just absolute false rhetoric. The media outlets from around the world?........ Really!!!!!!....... You mean "THE STATE CONTROLLED MEDIA REPORTING FROM THESE COUNTRIES" Of course they are gonna condemn our attacks. It doesn't serve them not too. You have no idea what your talking about. The media entities you speak of, MOSTLY are STATE RUN from countries controlled by an Islamic Theocracy controlled government. So, of Course they are gonna condemn our strikes and try and paint us bad guys and spread Lies. Their numbers are completely false and are with no truth. Drones have to exist and must carry out sophisticated missions to ensure the safety and the National Security of our country. They are highly effective and there is no denying that. I am sure our President is making a very wise decision on this issue. You need to delve deeper, and really learn the history of our Drone program. Learn more about procedures that have been made public, and the very strict Rules of Engagement we follow. This indiscriminate killing you speak of with no accountability is a flat out LIE. There is a lot of information out there for you to see. Go look and see for yourself. Don't just drink the Koolaid and know that even though we are a very kind and mild mannered society we have to still protect ourselves and carry a very big stick.
Peace.
What a slap in the face to those brave soldiers who have been awarded to Bronze Star for action in the face of the enemy. These cats sit behind a computer screen in an air conditioned room and get a medal for flying model airplanes. Sure they do a great job and should be appreciated by all they help protect, but to give them a medal that is higher than the Bronze Star is ridicules. As a Vietnam Vet who has been awarded the Bronze star and the Air medal with V device for valor twice Why don't you just tell me that our service didn't matter .
Thanks a lot Panetta and the rest of your Obama hypocrites.
Yeah! Just ask our new Sec State how he feels about this new medal, does it cheapen the Purple Hearts he earned while in Viet Nam for 3 months.
One again....
John Kerry served in country, in Vietnam, son, his medals and wounds are well documented, so quit being so damn ignorant.
No they were minor wounds none of which required more then a band aid and none caused lost time. His medals were awarded after he put himself in for them and he used his 3 Purple Hearts to justify ending his tour 8 months early.
Now you can get medals for sitting behind your desk far away from actual combat operations. What passes for heroism today is an embarassment to everyone that ever served in real combat
Many of the metals that Officers and Senor SNCOs receive are for their planning and oversight during active missions. This has been the NORM for DECADES...
While I was assigned to 2nd MAW, It was policy that a Enlisted could not receive above a NAM until they were permanently transferred to another Wing, HQMC or Division...
How things have CHANGED...
Good, these people still have to live with the fact that they kill people. That's not easy.
You totally miss the point.
It's a huge difference to the Marine or Soldier that has to close with then maneuver on then destroy the enemy in close combat than flying a drone not even in the same category!
Specifically anyone that was in the rural mud hut/s, mosque, or funeral processional; whose age, sex, and true identity they'll never know.
Baylor I think you nailed it. It is a huge difference and a different category. A new warfare.
It seems more courageous to fight eyes to eyes and more reassuring to know who you killed, there is no doubt. Who's the Man has a good point too though, at the end of a day of "work" how do you know who you killed? Was it 2 terrorists? or was it two terrorists, 3 women and 4 toddlers? I would find the unknown quite disturbing. The only way to "cope" with it would be to think like a soldier, suck it up, repress it in your mind for the moment, keep doing your job and then after you retire with honors, think about it for 30-40 years. Nice retirement. I hope they plan on mental health care for those guys.
I'm totally fine with giving war heroes their much deserved awards..medals. But then, let's not forget the real issue here on how ethical it is to use drones in killing suspected terrorists - minus the due process. I even saw this debate on equibbly if folks are for assassinating American terrorists or not. That is not the issue either. We're talking about LIVES here.
There is no "due process" in war. We are at war with Islamic Terrorists. They are trying to kill us and we are trying to kill them. Those of you who are caught up in "due process" are living in a fantasy bubble. If an American citizen goes and joins up with al-Qaida then they are enemy combatants and need to be dealt with accordingly. Anwar al-Alwaki was exactly one such S.O.B. and he got what he deserved. And so did his son who was churning out al-Qaida propaganda online and making other efforts to wage war against America.
Glad your leaving Panetta you will not be missed!
The respect I had for Panetta just went out the door with him ... good riddings to bad rubbish.
They can call it the Ender's Game Star.
This is a disgrace. You earn medals for being in combat; not for sitting in a comfy chaor playing video games.
Next comes "The Bleeding Heart Medal" awarded to those expressing the greatest vicarious sympathy for someone in actual combat.
I guess all the Benghazi whiners would get lots of those pgulrich.
OMG !
I saved the world in Call Of Duty,,Where is my MOH? Look up Panettas military service background , plus he serves with a guy who won a Nobel Peace Prize for being black,,No surprises here,,US ARMY10 yrs Desert Storm Vet. 1/41 Inf 2AD(fwd),,
Don't have a real strong position one way or another regarding this medal. HOWEVER, those that say it's a slap in the face of "combat" veterans or those that have served in theater (which I have FYI), and insinuate this is the "First time they're awarding medals for not being in combat" must have forgotten about the Army Service Ribbon, NCODP, RCOSTR, Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Army Commendation Medal (both combat & non-combat), Army Achievement Medal, ad naseam (have to forgive me as I was Army and am not that familiar with other service ribbons), However, I do know that some of the branches have ribbons for marksmanship...there are a LOT of non-combat related ribbons across the services.
Being a Marine and not familiar with the Medals you listed and knowing that we do have a plethora of Navy/Marine Corps medals as the Army does, the difference is that this new medal is not only being classified as a combat medal but it has precedence over the Bronze Star.
It's a sad, sad shame.
Sounds to me like they qualify for an Achievement medal for whatever branch. I got a couple for work I did at my desk. I especially have a problem with it being rated above a Bronze star. Are they going to be able to get that with a V?
Whether it's true that this medal is ranked above a Bronze Star is being contested by some on this topic. If that assertion in the article turns out to be wrong then the reporter has done a grave disservice to every reader.
I agree it shouldn't be ranked above a Silver star. Maybe above an ARCOM (but not above one with a V).
Now you know just how highly valued our combat troops are. The Idea that anyone sitting at a computer console at Creech AFB can win a combat award that ranks higher than a Bronze Star just makes me want to puke, but then, this is what the country voted for when they elected the HNIC last fall. Congratulations, Morons!
You fail to appreciate the perils of keyboard operation. There are computers viruses, spam from Viagra suppliers and dating sites, hard drive crashes and it can't be good for your vision staring at a screen that long. Takes quite a toll I hear.
How about a Purple Heart for carpal tunnel syndrome?
Agree with the position that it shouldn't be higher than a Bronze Star...however, calling POTUS the HNIC makes me hope you never served in the military (which by definition supports and defend the constitution, which includes all citizens). It also makes me believe that many, just because of that, would rail against your position.
My father received five bronze stars in WWII twenty years later the horrors of war still tormented him.
To give a medal that has higher status to a kid playing video games thousands of miles away is an insult to my father and the thousands of others who fought and died for our country!
I wouldn't trust that Panetta knows how to tie his shoes, much less be an authority on cyber warfare.
Hasn't Panetta done enough damage already? We thought you were leaving so- get out a*hole
Funny how we don't hear Obama refering to any of our involvments in Mideast conflicts anymore as "dumb wars". Like many new presidents, he's been innoculated with the war virus, too. It's just much too profitable to not be involved in.
Does it come with power ups and an extra life?
Just remember, please, it's not the joy-stick jockeys' fault that Panetta has created this little-toy-medal, okay? And if some big-wig decides to award one to them, what're they gonna do? They probably are totally embarrassed by the whole idea.
Got an award for something I didn't do once, I desired it, but not for what the write up was. They lost the orginial write up. People in rank couldn't stop laughing.
Absolute bull@!$%#. I served for 25 years in combat arms and saw my share of action and people killed and wounded. I have only the "thanks for coming" medals. You know why? I didn't deserve them. Hats off to people who when faced with death rise above themselves to earn our nations accolades. Sitting in an air conditioned bunker in New Mexico playing a video game is duty most people in the sandbox would give anything for. Think of all the birthdays and soccer games those video warriors were a little late for.
Bullsh....
The toop sits in the USA and gets a medal higher than a troop out in the field getting shot at???????????????????
What do these people think of????????????????
That is the problem they do not think!
Unfortunately I can't express my true feelings on this form!
As a Metrologist for the Air Force for 29 years, we get no recognition for our contributions,even though it kept everything flying straight and hitting the targets. We did'nt get fair promotions, but were treated fair as civilians for the AF. Nuff said just feel a little slighted, but we Know.
And I bet you would have been embrassed to wear this or Bronze Star to a VA hospital, even though you know you did a good job.
"Kill Anything That Moves" a recent book by author Nick Turse catalogs the attrocities of the Vietnam War by our very own military who have finally spoken out about the senseless murders, beheadings, mowing down of entire villages of innocent civilians, rape and the list goes on. Apparently we have learned nothing from past experiences. Now we've advanced to killing people remotely, so we don't have to actually look at the bodies. It's cold and heartless and it's always the innocent that suffer. Eisenhower was right to say that we should fear the Military Industrial Complex, they have a momentum that answers to no one when it comes right down to it.
Have you read that book because it is very biased!
jpsolly---said like someone who has never been shot at, missed a meal, or probably even spent one day outside the borders of the U.S. This stupid medal aside, your characterization of the actions of U.S servicemen is biased, and meaningless. How would a jerk like you even have a clue about combat?
Ah the brainwashed masses. The big business war machine marches on with your support. I would expect name calling from the likes you you Mr. Jarhead. I lost my 19 year old cousin in Vietnam a war based on the lies based on the Gulf of Tonkien incident that never happened. The weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, more lies. One day people like you will wake up when the drones are over your backyard.
Envision a future....The guy had been retired for years,and thanks to us continuing to allow a million people a year in,the great grandson of a terrorist kills an old guy wearing one of those medals.AIYIYIYIYIYI
Huh?