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Subscribe to RSSZingers about the Distinguished Warfare Medal, fired with the same deadly accuracy as drone strikes unleashed from computer screens, mock the U.S. military’s latest ribbon as “The Purple Buttocks” and “The Chairborne.”
A website about war-zone burn pits offers a photoshopped version of the medal as a glossy, gold Xbox controller. At Stars and Stripes, one writer quipped the fresh decoration — announced Feb. 13 by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta to honor troops who direct cyberattacks and drone strikes — has ignited “an avalanche of Whiskey Tango Foxtrots.” And at an online store run by current and ex-military members, retailers joke that any recipients will have earned the award from “the safety of some air conditioned box while sipping on their mocha-frapachino [sic] that they picked up on the way in to work that day, and waiting for Papa John’s to show up with lunch.”
Boom.
The shrapnel-packed jabs seem to be fueled as much by the non-combat medal's mere existence as by the decoration's rank: the Distinguished Warfare Medal is slotted by military brass slightly above the Bronze Star, long the fourth-highest combat award granted for heroism and/or meritorious service in battle.
Many of the so-called "Distant Warfare Medal" critics — and cutups — fully acknowledge the strategic value of cyber experts within the U.S. armed forces, especially as President President Barack Obama on Friday deployed American service members and drone aircraft to the African country of Niger, where they could be used to support a French counterterrorism mission in neighboring Mali.
Still, some can't help but smirk at the thought of a keyboard clicker eventually being pinned with a ribbon. And there are those in the service who thought the first mentions they read about the medal were a just a dash of military satire. After all, for men and women in uniform, sarcasm and dark humor are as common as camo and Hesco (a protective barrier).
"I thought it was a joke at first," said Marine Sgt. Jeremy Lattimer, 26, who earned a Bronze Star for his actions in Afghanistan's Helmand Province where, in one three-hour stretch on Nov. 22, 2009, he led his squad as they maneuvered through enemy machine gun fire then helped another squad escape an ambush.
"When I saw that this has a higher rating than the Bronze Star, it seemed a little bit extreme," added Lattimer, reached by phone at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he's receiving treatment for a traumatic brain injury sustained in combat. "Whenever you start getting into (awarding) valor for someone in a box behind a computer in who knows where, I think that's a point where it starts rubbing people the wrong way."
Meanwhile, some military families are so disturbed by the new medal that punchlines seem out of line.
Courtesy of Veronica Ortiz-Rivera
Marine Staff Sgt. Javier Ortiz-Rivera was heavily decorated in life. After dying in action, he was awarded the Bronze Star. In 2009, he and his wife, Veronica (left), attended the Marine Corps Ball.
Near Camp Lejeune, N.C., where Marine Staff Sgt. Javier Ortiz-Rivera was based before his 2010 IED-blast death in Afghanistan, his wife, Veronica, speaks softly and somberly about the value of the Bronze Star that the Marine earned posthumously.
"To know that somebody sitting at a computer who never risked their life is going to get something that’s worth more, it almost puts less of a value on what my husband did and what so many other men have done," Ortiz-Rivera said. "To take that new medal and give it a higher classification than the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart is disrespectful. Maybe I’m just biased because my husband was killed in combat.
"It feels like it almost strips away a little of his heroism, honestly, although he is and always will be a hero to us," she added. "I'm not at a point where I can joke about" this new medal.
And for Army veteran Andrew O'Brien, who served in Afghanistan in 2008 and 2009, any humorous takes about any medals — no matter how they are earned — simply feels wrong, he said.
"We are all on the same team," O'Brien said. "I believe they (drone operators) deserve medals just as much as anyone else and recognition for the things they do. I also feel (the humor) is an attack on them for what they do. To mimic a video game as an award? We are all part of the same fight."
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- Home from war, troops face 'white-knuckled' first month
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I am a USAF vet from 1972-1976 and feel these guys need to be recognized for what they do and their accomplishments. While their mission may be stressful and the results critical to the war effort, I don't think the metal presented to them should be in the same line as the combat metals presented to people with their lives on the line.
I am also an 8-year USAF vet, and I think that most would agree. It is a very important job, but the ranking of the medal over something that actually required a real threat to your body is just not right. I doubt that even the guys doing that job would agree with the ranking.
My guess is it will be the gun nuts who diminish the role of our cyber-warriors.
Not only do they want a gun in every pot, they want to keep all to themselves the medals for using those guns to kill others.
That doesn't have a good military sound too it..got a purple heart serving for the 7th Chairborne division in 2013.
The injury isn't disclosed how it happen in a drone operations room..possible water cooler cut.
@MSNBCMFE
Stance on gun control has absolutely nothing to do with this. I'm all for more restrictions on gun purchases to make sure people who own guns are responsible enough and mentally capable enough of using it safely, but I agree that placing a medal for a job that typically entails no risk of bodily harm above combat medals that involve risking your life is pretty insulting to the recipients of those combat medals.
Cyberwarfare is going to become more and more important in this generation, and sure, cyberwarriors need to be recognized for their accomplishments, but unless they somehow managed to avert WW3 via hack attack, I think they should rethink the medal order of importance. I'm sure what they do saves lives, but what they do has considerably less risk, so...
A friend of mine was an army computer tech in Vietnam. He earned a Bronze Star when the base he was at was attacked by Viet Cong. His brother is an ace on the computer video games, but never served in the military. The only danger this person faced was losing his life, in a computer game. Where is the similarity to risk here?
Those "cyber warriors" are doing a service for their country, but not risking their lives, or even comfort, in the performance of their missions. I agree with a comment made this must be about some general's son or daughter is safe here at home, and can't get a promotion without some type of award, especially if the politicians are looking to "fast track" that son or daughter up the rank to general.
There are already high ranking awards available for exceptional service, why do they have to degrade the existing ones by creating such a thing. Maybe they're trying to compete with Hollywood on their awards for the trash they are putting out.
I am a U.S. Air Force veteran 1962-1966 with an Honorable Discharge. I believe that "cyber warriors" should have some type of recognition.
However, their job in an office, with a cup of coffee and a donut nearby, is not the same as dealing with rocket propelled grenades, bombs, improvised explosive devices, flies, bad smells, gritty sand in your teeth, and, dodging bullets on the battlefield... !!
I am in full support of the actions taken by the VFW to have the ranking and stature of this medal lowered below that of a Bronze Star Medal.
By the way - "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot" = WHAT THE FONGONUS!
this a shocking slap in the face of all our soldiers who risk their lives in the field. i agree that someone who does well in their virtual warfare job should be recognized, but a medal? no save them for the ones that put their lives on the line, not just risk carpal tunnel.
I also am a retired USAF Vet ( 1975 - 1997 ):
I worked Under Ground on Nuclear Missiles. I was authorized to wear a BADGE showing my work with the Bird...
I say let them get a BADGE, Just like Pilot, Sub, Parachutist etc....
If they authorize this Award, then I am going to ask for a correction of military records beacuse the 'Drone' I worked on was 10 feet in diameter and 110 feet in length and could kill millions at a time.
MSNBCMFE, you sound like someone with an axe to grind and doesn't waste any opportunity no matter how tangentially related. No one so far has suggested that the 'cyberwarriers' shouldn't receive recognition. What is at issue is whether someone who is not at personal risk and doesn't suffer any hardships should receive a medal given the same rank as those who are in harm's way and are but a bullet away from the ultimate sacrifice, all the while enduring privatation in the field. The criticisms of the medal are warranted. Your comments are not!
The idea of this new medal being in the same line as those given out for showing bravery under fire is simply absurd. To put this medal above the Bronze Star is a slap in the face to every person who has put their lives at risk and showed extraordinary bravery to received a Bronze Star. These drone operators are doing little more than playing a video game and are not putting themselves at risk in any way. To give them an award in a line of medals associated with valor is patently absurd. I hope that the military or Congress takes some action to stop this idiocy.
@MSNBCMFE - You are stupid, stupid, stupid.
I was in Vietnam but my risk was significantly different than combat troops. I received a medal or two for significant service much of which was classified. None of my medals were like those earned by combat troops. There has to be a way to reward vital service that is different than the way we reward those whose risk is so great.
Getting wounded or killed makes one no more a hero than those, who by the grace of God, survived. All who risked their lives were and are heroes; and, some were even more heroic who saved the lives of others.
As an Airforce Vet I think the Person who dreamed up this medal must work in the Pentgon. No self respecting Military man would want a combat metal for setting on his ass. I realize we issue zone citations but all they do is signify that you were ordered into a certain Zone.
Bad idea.
Those of us who served the US military 'behind the scenes' during the Vietnam conflict never expected medals for what we did, and I could hardly consider keeping the worldwide communications network running 'heroic'. However, considering the information we passed over that network and the lives it saved, maybe that might not be such a stretch. If you haven't been there, maybe you wouldn't understand.
A standard military Achievement Medal within their branch of service, and an official award ceremony for it -- for their exceptional and proven job performance and contributions in succeeding in critical missions they were directly involved with -- would have been a much more appropriate, and less controversial award.
Actually, the writer's of the Stuxnet virus saved the lives of literally thousands of troops by damaging Iranian infrastructure without even firing a shot. While this should not be listed as high an award as a combat soldier who went above and beyond, stopping the need for the combat soldier in the first place is very admirable for an award.
Have any of you considered that the medals are given as recognition of CONTRIBUTION? Clearly the military is grateful for efforts other than bodily sacrifice.
We should be putting these people in the same category, they're wielding a tremendous amount of power/responsibility. Just dont look upon them as "combat" medals. IMO as usual.
I am an Army vet and I would have to agree wholeheartedly with the widow of the Marine that was killed. They should be receiving a medal for achievement, their unit or for the campaign, not a medal of valor! Plain and simple, it makes a mockery of the Vets that received the medals of valor!
Isn't it obvious that the military has created this medal to help any drone assassins get over any perceived moral problems or any perceived mockery by combat soldiers? The timing, right after the rationale for the legality of drone strikes, got, well, assassinated, seems to support that idea. Military medals, all, are there to persuade people to do the dirty work of the military, to take actions that they might otherwise not be willing to take (such as go into combat and put their lives at risk). The reality is that they were set up, not as rewards for past meritorious behavior, but as enticement for future behavior. This award is the same thing. It is not a case of the military saying: "we are proud of what this soldier has done", but instead it is a case of the military saying "we hope this will help get you to do what we want you to do".
I am an Army Vet from 1967 to 1971 and 1974 to 1982. Served two tour in Vietnam. Captured two NVA soldiers. One an officer and an Enlisted. Was a Combat Engineer with the 59th Landclearing Company. Was shot at, Motored, Booby trapped, Half starved at times, Real nasty drinking water. The only ones who got the Bronze Star on the capture was a Dozer driver and the Lt. who took the pictures. Some get medels just by being there and others for really putting their live before anything else. Guess it just depends who wants you to have one.
Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot is right. Give them an award that is slightly lower than an award for valor and be done with it.
PS I wonder if the author knew what Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot meant or were they just copying it from the Stars and Stripes?
Looks like "Edward Bulwer-Lytton" was literally correct. "The pen, um,ah,ahem, mouse, is, mightier than the sword". Can do much more than make an elephant sh^t these days. Keep ah clicking Warriors!
I want to thank all of you brave solders for your selfless service to this fine country. You are the TRUE American heroes. You put your lives on the line in defense of this country, and I salute you. Never mind that the "Extinguished Bore Medal" should be given out by Nintendo for 'Best Halo III player', not some jacka$$ hiding behind a computer screen killing innocents with Blowbama's model plane brigade...as for MSNBCA$$...you are just a douche, plain and simple. Go back to your one-handed "quiet time" with your Jokebama poster and STFU...
You can get a medal for cybering?
No doubt this medal should not be ranked above or in the same breath as the Bronze Star, but there will be and are battles fought in cyberspace in addition to drones that have been critical in the war on terrorism. These people may be safely located in command and control centers but are valued assets to the Department of Defense and our National security.
You disregard these people as jacka$$, and their targets as innocent people. There targets are terrorists, enemy combatants, and there will always be civilian casualities in war, and as in most wars they out number the casualities of the warriors.
You do realize that many of the latest ships have joy sticks to operate 50 Caliber machine guns and other weapons?
Probably not, you are one of those douchebags here to turn every article into an ignorant political statement. Get a life.
Personally I rather put a drone in harms way when they are best suited for the mission, rather risk losing pilots and rescue teams if they are shot down.
What is more important, that we discuss the merit of earning a medal for remotely operating armaments, or that we figure out how to get the other 99.9% of the US military into gear that totally protects them from the bulk of the risks of war?
Complain about the troops who have "safe" jobs, or figure out how to tech up all our troops into safe jobs and virtually eliminate battlefield injuries while improving our combat ability. Pick your fight.
As a Marine Veteran, I believe we are looking at a new era of warfare.A merging of machine and men which will change fundamentally how we will fight wars in a whole new way.
As we move further from the exposed foot soldier, to the reinforced mechanized motor vehicle, armor protected personnel in conjunction with computerized overhead tactical coordinated strike model, there will be less risk to ground asset's, and more emphasis on letting machines take the hits.The key to making this successful, is going to be the brains and talent behind those technological interfaces. And it isn't going to be just mostly finger work, but the brain's ability to project ahead, intuitively working with the machine AND those on the ground, so the mission can be successful. It will be essential things can be kept fluid. This won't be no game box joy ride.
Just as we have virtual 360 degree training pods set up for pilots to practice jet training.This will take extensive training for those who will be looking at the next wave of the future military tactics warfare. So, when it comes to handing out medals for those who help protect soldiers in battle, the time may come, when, a person sitting in a "box" may not be putting his or her life on the line, but every fiber of their being will be engaged, their heart and soul working to bring back every member of a mission safely.
Officers have been getting awards for sending junior personnel to do the dirty work, and taking all the credit for the victory. Getting Field promotions for winning a battle that didn't cost them a single drop of blood. I say let the people working in the brand new field of war tactics grow into it. They may not be risking their lives, but they are risking their careers and futures proving they can use a new technology to strike the enemy.And the lives they are saving, by doing their jobs, are precious, beyond words.
One more thing, the big brass never does things without a real good reason. I smell a stinky fish. Something tells me, these guys sitting in boxes, just might find themselves in not so safe areas at some point. I wouldn't give them a totally safe pass completely guaranteed quite so fast.Just a little something I learned from my Veteran Air Force dad, Veterans Army and Navy Uncles too. Nearly 90 years serve between the three.My deepest respect, gratitude and admiration for all who have given their fullest measure in the sacrifice to those principals they honored, and loved most. May their families and loved ones be watched over by heaven's guardian angels, until they can be once more united in the bonds of eternal love.
this is not about the service or geeks. It's about Panetta wanting to leave a mark where 50 years from now his name keeps coming up. As in, I know a guy who got the "Panetta medal"! Being a polytissiun, Panetta had no idea who does what and how it fits in relative value to what another guys does. It takes Colonels a career to figure this out. He shows up a few years ago and hasn't clue. This is how he justifies given a geek at a computer console a medal ranking about combat vets. He wants what he wants though, and you will notice there are no Generals falling on their swords in favor of the combat vets. They are polytissiuns too ! That's how one gets to be a General. It reminds me of when they looked around the Army and decided the black beret looked cool. Only Rangers were wearing them. The polytissiuns decided the whole Army should look cool and ordered black berets for everyone. Now it's high ranking medals for computer console operators. We may see the day when polytissiuns disdain the combat heros completely and arrange 4 or 5 medals of high ranks for all sorts of technical workers, bonuses and living conditions to go with it.
I put in 20 years with the USAF and do NOT feel that this medal deserves to be in the ranks of the Bronze Star or Purple Heart. While I think these people deserve to be recognized, their merits are nowhere near those that laid it all on the line for their medals
We that have and who still serve don't do it for the money. So if there is another medal to be had, I say "Sierra Hotel".
Is this a unit medal or individual medal? Vietnam had a individual bronze star medal for combat heroics & another for unit contributions; two different medals. Like it or not, it takes the whole team. Before making judgements; many don't know the U.S. Coast Guard served in combat roles in Vietnam in riverine forces and helicopter search & rescue. Many call Coast Guardsmen, shallow water sailors, etc. because they don't get the press other branches do, even though they are everywhere the military is involved, worldwide. They are under the Department of Transportation, not the Department of Defense. Let's not be judgemental. I might have a problem with the new medal if the desk chairs are equipped with ejection seats, but as it is, those guys & gals provide a vital element to the war effort.
except that those CG's in VietNam were designated under the NAVY during their time there
Well, these people are performing a valuable service to the country, a service MANY do not have the skills or frankly intelligence to handle. True, their lives may not be in danger, but if they can keep the lives of others out of danger that's what counts.
recognition yes, but, medals for valor to REMFs? WTH?
LOL, haven't heard that in years. Wonder how many people will know what that means?
brilliantly stated and so true. As an Army Veteran I was in combat arms and was looking at this award and wondering myself how REMFs get an award that sits higher than one that is given to those who re on the front lines. its is definitely a smack in the face of those who lost loved ones and for those that question the policy makers all I can say is SNAFU.
While I understand the importnace of the job these men and women their actions are not heroic in the traditional sense that they risked injury on the battle generally to aid, assist, rescue somone else. In the Marine Corps for the Bronze star is awarded for gallantry/heroism and is accompanied by a "v" for valor. The medal can and is also awarded for nonheroic action as meritorious service and acts of merit.
If the Secretary of Defense thinks those operating game controls merit a military decoration ranked higher than those received by individuals in combat situations then he should consider a different line of work. He clearly is not taking into consideratin the difference between being shot at and sitting in a room with a game controller and risking a paper cut for which he can probably recommend the Purple Heart. Mr. Panetta should conosider a commendation medal, perhaps similar to the one he received during his two years in the Army for meritorious service.
The cyber soldiers deserve a medal for what they do, but to give them a medal of higher importance than the Purple Heart or the Bronze Star is rediculous. I think, since it is a Joint Service operation, the highest award should be the Joint Service Commendation. After all the only danger these cyber soldiers get is maybe a blister on their fingers. That is my thoughts and i am a 3 war veteran.
The sequester is looking better all the time. These are the same people in the pentagon who have brought us the F-22 and F-35 boondoggles. As a veteran, I think I know how this happened. Some high ranking officer has a son or daughter in the military who is a keyboard warrior and thinks they deserve recognition too. Of course nobody lower in the chain of command has the guts to tell him that this is a really stupid idea.
You know, this wouldn't even be so bad if it was just a minor award like an overseas deployment medal or a good conduct medal. But to have it rank above a Bronze star is completely outrageous. I really wish that I could say that I'm surprised but I'm not.
Any parent who has a dead son or daughter because of these buffoons should be wearing out their computers writing E-mails to anyone who will listen.
I was an Army Intelligence Analyst, what we and others do is important work, no doubt. I do agree with others here though, it's ranked to high. Above the bronze and purple heart just made my jaw drop. No way should it be higher then people getting shot at. Drop the rank down, then it would be okay.
The Secretary if he is inclined to consider a medal should consider a commendation for metirorious service similar to the one he got during his two years in the Army. There can be no justification for awarding a medal to the controll operators that is rated/ranked higher that those given for heroism. Even meritorious medals can have a "v" for valor but they do not rank above a bronze star with a "v". Interestingly enough even a bronze star can be awarded for meritorious service. The real distionction is the "v" which valor.
A commendation of some sort sure, killing people long distance is tough on a soldier too, I know, I was a fire direction officer in the artillery in Vietnam, but a medal ranking higher than the Bronze Star, no I don't think that is right.
I agree these folks deserve a medal, but once you step above the Defence Meritorius Service medal (just under the Purple Heart) in ranking you are in the line of fire and on the field of battle. It can be no other way. To do so cheapens the lives of every person who was ever injured, maimed or killed in their service to this country. The Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs should be ashamed of themselves for even considering placing this new award so high. What a slap in the face to all those American families who have had to deal with the aftermath of their loved ones after being asked so much from their country on the battlefield.
As a combat vet from Vietnamand having received the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat I feel this new medal should not rank higher than eitherthe Bronze Star or the Purple Heart. The men and women who have received either of these medals did so by serving in a combat zone with CLOSE CONTACT with the enemy not in some office mile'sand miles from the action. I agree they deserve recognition for what they do, but not a medal or award that ranks higher than either the Purple Heart or Bronze Star.
RA or US?
Whats next, the "Medal of Humor", "Purple Raspberry", "Silver Mug!"
Elevating the "keyboard" operators to just below the Silver Star denigrates those who earned the medal, either after giving ones life or before.
I'm fine with a medal as long as it does not rank higher than the battlefield medals. These cyber warriors probably save far more lives and give more valuable intel that greatly influences combat than other sources. The primary missing piece is having ones life on the line and in immediate danger. As a field combat soldier, I would feel a lot better about survival with the overhead protection these soldiers provide. They deserve recognition for the invaluable role they play in intelligence gathering and close air support for the drone operators.
Yes, I agree a medal is fine, but not a battlefield medal. If I kill someone from a distance there is trauma there and so forth and good work deserves a reward, but not one equal to someone killed in action or face to face on a battlefield. It just isn't the same thing. Award those who deserve an award, but not with a higher award over those who died in battle, rescued troops in person, or who otherwise distinguished themselves in actual physical battle.
Whenever I see Leon Panetta, I think of another Italian-American comedian, the late New Jerseyan, Lou Costello. As the outgoing Secretary of Defense, I think he's put another pie-in-the-face of what should be a serious government position.
I remember the military giving ribbons for service in a particular battle zone. Korea comes to mind. I don't know if a medal went with it but if you didn't earn a medal for getting wounded or for action above and beyond the call of duty, at least you had something to show your grandchildren when they asked what you did in your war. I'm sure you need a lot of training, skill, and perhaps decision-making ability to move a drone to a target and make the kill. But so do a lot of other jobs in this high-tech era. Are they going to give medals to computer programmers? MRI and other medical machine operators? And how do these new "office job" medals rank higher than those for men and women who put their lives on the line facing the enemy up close and personal?
actually specific campaign medals were quite common during WWII
When I was in, your medals counted in points towards promotion. To be in a field where you are always behind whole groups of people because you can't get the same points ... well.... sucks...
It would seem to me that they could have ranked the new medal behind the combat valor awards yet allow the same points for promotion.
(sigh) I would suggest that the new crop of medal awardees just do the honorable thing and not wear them. Let the citation stay in the service jacket and help on the admin side without flaunting it ont he uniform.
No problem with a meritorious commendation thast does not rank above medals which were awarded for acts in combat.
Pathetic. Period. Typical of a "feel good, everybody wins" civilian leadership that has no true respect for the military and has never served. Just one more reflection of the downward spiral of the United States.
Well said!!
Akin to drone jockeys wearing flight suits ... in their fancy office chairs at Creech AFB in Nevada.
Welcome to Obamaland. Money for not working, tax returns for paying no taxes, combat-grade medals for no combat.
Without this, "soldiers" like Bradley Manning wouldn't get anything pretty and shiney to pin on their puny chests.
Everything else you mentioned has existed WAY before Obama, even back to Raygun.
WTF .. and Leon should get a MOH for being a Secretary.....
The word is the order of medal placement was done by the very cyber warriors who feel they deserve it. The point out they face health hazards like carpal tunnel syndrome, deep vein thrombosis, diabetes, and other health problems for being long term "Chairborne Rangers." WTF truly fits this problem. Before leaving Panetta should push this medal down to just above the National Defense Medal, proving those who face combat deserve higher recognition than some geek in a box back home relaxing in an aircon office playing video games. What is DoD thinking with this fiasco? Write your congress rep and have them clean up this mess now.
Most cyber warfare and drone operations are by the CIA and NSA..not a military branch.
In other words..federal civilian employees! With a pay grade above a GS9.
Maybe if I keep practicing my "Space Invaders", I can be a "drone jockey" too! Apparently, all it takes is a good understanding of the Atari 2600 system...Morons.
Does the pilot get a Purple Heart if the drone is damaged by incoming fire but survives the flight? Does he get a Medal of Honor if he chokes to death on his pizza while piloting the drone?