Distinguished Warfare Medal

[afchic]

Originally Posted by Divemaster

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.

I know what you mean. My husband was a Maj and got one with a V device, which was greatly warranted. But we had a Lt Col that railed about it, because he as an O-5 didn't get one. Never mind the fact he was in the CAOC with me, and the closest we got to combat was thinking ONCE a scud was coming our way. I had to listen to that bullshit for over 6 months.

[MR2]

Originally Posted by afchic

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.

That was not the intent of my comment as well. We all have our jobs that we do for basic pay and benefits. IMO there is already sufficient means for recognizing those that go above and beyond in all fields.

[afchic]

Originally Posted by Streck-Fu

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



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.

Because the air medal is for being in harm's way. We have seen time after time, new awards/medals designed based on the times. To me this is the same thing, this is the first war we have fought where drones were a)involved, b) a game changer in some respects.

All I see is DoD trying to recognize that. It isn't taking something away from anyone else, it is simply recognizing the service of a new breed of "warriors".

[Streck-Fu]

Maybe I'm old school but I have a hard time associating 'warrior' to drone pilots and cyber/software types. That's a rhetorical statement..

I refereed my copy of the SECNAVINST 1610 (I don't have other services' awards manuals) and it states:

Air Medal: "For heroic (or meritorious) achievement in aerial flight ..."

There are provisions for awarding for action as part of a strike or flight as well as Individual Action and Individual Action with a V.

That is why I thought it could cover almost any achievement of the UAV pilots.

But new wars do sometimes call for new awards.

[afchic]

Originally Posted by Streck-Fu

Maybe I'm old school but I have a hard time associating 'warrior' to drone pilots and cyber/software types. That's a rhetorical statement..

I refereed my copy of the SECNAVINST 1610 (I don't have other services' awards manuals) and it states:


There are provisions for awarding for action as part of a strike or flight as well as Individual Action and Individual Action with a V.

That is why I thought it could cover almost any achievement of the UAV pilots.

But new wars do sometimes call for new awards.

Much like other services have a "warrior" class, so does the AF. And I am sure a big part of the reason UAV pilots are not awarded air medals, is because they are seen as being of a "lesser" class.

[Streck-Fu]

I do not put them in different class. I believe the threshold for certain medals and devices needs to involve personal risk.

The UAV pilot community took a beating when the reports of their 'stress' levels made the national circuit...LINK....LINK.....LINK

[JJ_BPK]

AR 600-8-22, page 40

3–13. Soldier’s Medal

a. The Soldier’s Medal, section 3750, title 10, United States Code (10 USC 3750) was established by Act of Congress 2 July 1926 amended 10 USC 3750.

b. The Soldier’s Medal is awarded to any person of the Armed Forces of the United States or of a friendly foreign nation who, while serving in any capacity with the Army of the United States, including Reserve Component Soldiers not serving in a duty status, as defined in 10 USC 101(d), at the time of the heroic act, who distinguished himself or herself by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy. The same degree of heroism is required as that of the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. The performance must have involved personal hazard or danger and the voluntary risk of life under conditions not involving conflict with an armed enemy. Awards will not be made solely on the basis of having saved a life.

So why do we need a new medal??

[Dusty]

When are we gonna start recognizing Airsofters with medals?

[PSM]

Originally Posted by JJ_BPK

So why do we need a new medal??

To paraphrase something I heard as a kid, and have yet to find a source to pin it on, “Give me a bolt of ribbon and an ingot of gold and I will vanquish any enemy.”

Pat

[Sigaba]

I find this new award problematic because it helps to legitimize further the notion that there has been a RMA--a fourth generation of warfare.

IMO, it is that very line of thinking that has led the United States to have so many issues IRT GWOT. Soldiers on the ground--not drones in the skies-- win wars.

YMMV.

[Team Sergeant]

Originally Posted by Streck-Fu

But with no personal physical risk.

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

How many are combat arms compared to non-combat arms? Pretty hign number, what like over 90%?

But I definitely agree with your second point.......

afchic we already have medals that cover a broad spectrum of doing good deeds in the military. I refer back to what Strect-fu posted about "officers". Why design a medal that only a "few" can "earn" while sitting on their asses?

[Airbornelawyer]

Originally Posted by JJ_BPK

So why do we need a new medal??

The Soldier's Medal and its equivalents in the other services are not remotely comparable to this award. The Soldier's Medal is an award for heroism. Comparing the hazards required for it to "coffee latte spilled on keyboard" is an insult to its recipients, as well to the many soldiers who were turned down for the award, and given a Commendation or Achievement Medal, or nothing at all, because all they did was merely save someone's life.

[Monsoon65]

Originally Posted by Streck-Fu

There are provisions for awarding for action as part of a strike or flight as well as Individual Action and Individual Action with a V.

That is why I thought it could cover almost any achievement of the UAV pilots.

Nope.

I have a dog in this fight. I'm am, or at least was until July 2012, a career aviator.

Why should UAV operators get an Air Medal when they don't fly? My aircraft gets shot down, they shovel my remains into a rubber bag and tell my wife and kids "sorry about that".

They crash a UAV and it's, "Damn.....hey, who wants to go to Burger King? Or at least stop by the BX for some Diet Cokes and Twizzlers?"

Do they have a tough job? I don't know. Might be tough for some, easy for others. I'd have loved to have had a chance to give it a try.

But do they deserve an Air Medal? No way. For doing their job above and beyond, that's why they have AFCM, etc.

People don't want to see the Bronze Star cheapened, and I sure don't want to see the Air Medal dragged thru the mud, either.

[Monsoon65]

Originally Posted by PSM

To paraphrase something I heard as a kid, and have yet to find a source to pin it on, “Give me a bolt of ribbon and an ingot of gold and I will vanquish any enemy.”

Pat

I believe Napoleon said that. Or something along those lines.

[Chairborne64]

This is crazy. There are PLENTY of medals right now that can be given to a UAV operator who does a good job. What is wrong with a MSM or a DMSM if in a joint command?