Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Kraut783
"Fourth, any review process by the Department of Defense in Washington should include both combat experienced officers and enlisted service members."
Good article...good points.
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Kraut783
"Fourth, any review process by the Department of Defense in Washington should include both combat experienced officers and enlisted service members."
Good article...good points.
|
In my own experience, I have seen two Silver Star Awards turned down by a board of senior officers and NCOs of whom only about two had ever had combat experience (and I don't mean being in the TOC when a badly aimed rocket lands 300 meters away - I mean, hearing the bad guys' bullets snap overhead every so often while in the fight). One of the potential recipients was in charge of a firebase with two detachments and had been wounded twice in combat. He had taken part in five major firefights; fights so intense that a total of five friendly KIA and two wounded resulted. His plan for the AO resulted in hundreds of missions conducted and plenty of successes.
In one fight, he was wounded early on and fought in spite of his wound and led his detachment out of an ambush where they were nearly overrun (I was there with him). His efforts led to the destruction of hundreds of enemy in the eight months he was in theater. Yet, this SF warrior, and friend, received the same award that the officers in the FOB received for their efforts (though important and necessary) while pushing a desk.
This really angers me. The other potential recipient (one of the bravest NCOs I've met) led his detachmet through an ambush as the detachment commander was critically wounded in the first volley and the team sergeant was cut off from the rest of the team. Again, this second guy received the same award some of the guys at the S1 shop received. It just does not make sense.
Lastly, the CIB was given to anyone within the sound of an incoming rocket on a firebase. For the teams, this was a no brainer; nearly all of us had contact by the time we left country. For my company, we all had been in at least one nasty firefight. But, I recently saw the orders for the CIB and there were guys on there that, while excellent people, were never in an actual firefight. In fact, the closest any of them were in "contact" was when when a rocket, or mortar would land far away (the closest one landed was about 100 meters from most folks). I met a female soldier that told me that members of her unit had been at their office next door when that particular rocket fell and about two weeks later, the all received their "Combat Action" Badge. Maybe there are degrees in combat - I only know combat as what I saw and it was about blood, guts and courage. My company commander told me: "The important thing is that you know where and how you earned yours. You, can look into the mirror in the morning and live with how your uniform looks with that badge because you earned it." Maybe I'm whinning about something utterly stupid. But, I think we need to re-think our definitions of "combat" and "valor".
For the CIB, I think the consideration needs to change from "Receive or return fire" to Recieve AND return fire" when engaged by the enemy. Ok, off my soap box