Distinguished Warfare Medal

BMT (RIP) · 02-13-2013, 13:21

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

http://news.yahoo.com/pentagon-creat...-politics.html

BMT

MR2 · 02-13-2013, 13:24

So I suppose emailing AQ a picture of your finger will count.

CSB · 02-13-2013, 13:26

Love the comment: "design it with a joystick on it."

sinjefe · 02-13-2013, 13:39

It's actually the "Distinguished Warfare Medal" not the "Defense Distinguished Service Medal"

Beef · 02-13-2013, 13:39

No, this is great....really. I mean if you earn your Combat Videoman Badge and you can't get a valor award, what's the point. This is restitution for all of those POGs, I mean professional steely eyed killers who manned the missile silos of NORAD all those years. Seriously, though, the drone operators and their gear have advanced warfare to a level that was unthought of when I joined up in 1974. They have taken out dozens of HVTs and provided "eyes on" in places no one else could. But I do think that creating a new class of decoration is not needed. We have AAM, ARCOM, MSM, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit and even DSM that are respected non combat awards. They could easily fill the bill.

Streck-Fu · 02-13-2013, 13:58

Quote:

They have taken out dozens of HVTs and provided "eyes on" in places no one else could.

But with no personal physical risk.

Is this a career enhancement award created for non-combat officers?

afchic · 02-13-2013, 14:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Streck-Fu

But with no personal physical risk.

Did they do their job, and do it well?

afchic · 02-13-2013, 14:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Streck-Fu

But with no personal physical risk.

Is this a career enhancement award created for non-combat officers?

Maybe it is simply recognition for what they have contributed to the war effort.

This may be news to you, but these guys are the read headed step children of the AF. Although I do not think they deserve Air Medals, etc, they do a kick ass job. I know many a combat troop that have their lives, thanks to the job these folks do.

When did it become OK to denegrate the service of ANYONE who has worn the uniform of this great nation? They may not be in harms way, but they most certainly are in the fight.

Streck-Fu · 02-13-2013, 14:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by afchic

Did they do their job, and do it well?

No doubt I'm sure but to place a new medal involving zero personal risk above the Bronze Star strikes me as a little ambitious. I do not question their contribution, just the need to create a new medal for such a narrow application.

Quote:

This may be news to you, but these guys are the read headed step children of the AF.

It is not news to me. It may said they are the red headed step children of the military as a whole. However, I am not trying to diminish their contribution, merely questioning the need to create a new medal, especially above the Bronze Star.

afchic · 02-13-2013, 14:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Streck-Fu

No doubt I'm sure but to place a new medal involving zero personal risk above the Bronze Star strikes me as a little ambitious.

If we were talking about a Bronze Star with Valor, I would agree.

**Airbornelawyer** · 02-13-2013, 14:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by sinjefe

It's actually the "Distinguished Warfare Medal" not the "Defense Distinguished Service Medal"

Thanks. Title of thread now fixed.

Streck-Fu · 02-13-2013, 14:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by afchic

If we were talking about a Bronze Star with Valor, I would agree.

Considering that the Bronze Star was created as an award for ground troops in general and Infantry in particular after the creation of the Air Medal for the aviation officers, I don't think the conditions for comparison need to be limited to V device.

afchic · 02-13-2013, 14:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Streck-Fu

Considering that the Bronze Star was created as an award for ground troops in general and Infantry in particular after the creation of the Air Medal for the aviation officers, I don't think the conditions for comparison need to be limited to V device.

The Bronze Star (wihtout V) has turned into an MSM in a warzone. Not saying I agree with it, because I don't. But there it is.

Streck-Fu · 02-13-2013, 14:44

Especially for drone pilots (whom take the lion share of jokes here in my office) why can't the Air Medal suffice?

Quote:

Originally Posted by afchic

The Bronze Star (wihtout V) has turned into an MSM in a warzone. Not saying I agree with it, because I don't. But there it is.

Only because I remember hearing about it, but there have a few times the AF has caught fire for awarding Bronze Star Medals. Late 90s and couple of years ago, if I remember correctly. I wouldn't be surprised if all services are guilty but I remember hearing/reading about the AF.

Divemaster · 02-13-2013, 14:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by afchic

The Bronze Star (wihtout V) has turned into an MSM in a warzone. Not saying I agree with it, because I don't. But there it is.

That's exactly what it is and is how I look at mine. They were pretty much handed out to those of us in leadership positions, but I had to fight tooth and nail to get them for a couple of my guys who deserved them.