Distinguished Warfare medal...please

[dbogin]

It's disrespectful for our brothers and sisters who have and still are laying it on the line. And the ones we lost.

As a chicken-***** crypto tech who hid behind radars and com boxes for the USN, I am embarrassed by these shenanigans. That recognition is undeserved, IMHO.

Granted, those crews serving as drone jockeys may be doing good work, and I'm sure its stressful when you're walking a thin line on how many collateral deaths your commander is gonna allow when taking out that high value target.

I hardly think its in the same league as men and women dodging live fire and getting their truck blowed out from under them.

[LCpl Kutches]

There are many other brave men and women in the military, U.S. Military and all military branches to award an honorable unique award to one group of operators who never have to physically or mentally endure the same challenges as those in the front lines.

The drone operators already receive the same pay as our military in combat that are currently getting shot at and blown up by IED's, but have no risk of injury.

"Insert logic here" it seems we have drifted from logical thinking.

[SGT Loco]

The drone operators already receive the same pay as our military in combat that are currently getting shot at and blown up by IED's, but have no risk of injury.

Untrue. You have to actually, physically be located in a "combat zone" to receive the various hazardous duty/hostile fire pay and tax breaks. Drone operators based at regular military installations would only make their normal salary.

Think that's bad, just wait till you start seeing claims of stress and PTSD from those same gamers showing up through VA. And receiving benefits...

PTSD comes in a variety of forms. You don't think it would be psychologically traumatic to know that you accidentally blew up an entire family collecting firewood by mistake? Or because you missed and hit a school? Remote or not, there can still be some heavy **** that goes along with the job.


Definitely not bronze star with V heavy, but....

[laabstract]

I have nothing to do with the uav or airwing community I am a Marine grunt but these guys deserve credit. A medal worth more than a bronze star with v? No way, but a lower ranking medal like a campaign or achievement level would be very suitable.

i agree 100%

[winnre]

Untrue. You have to actually, physically be located in a "combat zone" to receive the various hazardous duty/hostile fire pay and tax breaks. Drone operators based at regular military installations would only make their normal salary.

Then they go back to their hotel room and rental car with an extra untaxable $165 per diem.

PTSD comes in a variety of forms. You don't think it would be psychologically traumatic to know that you accidentally blew up an entire family collecting firewood by mistake? Or because you missed and hit a school? Remote or not, there can still be some heavy **** that goes along with the job.

And when that happens on a video game you only lose a turn. I'm sure striking the wrong target from a video screen is not as bad as shooting a kid from 10 feet away who frightened you. For one thing, you can turn off the monitor and and the whole problem just "goes away."

[SGT Loco]

Then they go back to their hotel room and rental car with an extra untaxable $165 per diem.

They should live in the barracks, with all the other E4's

And when that happens on a video game you only lose a turn. I'm sure striking the wrong target from a video screen is not as bad as shooting a kid from 10 feet away who frightened you. For one thing, you can turn off the monitor and and the whole problem just "goes away."

Except that somewhere in the world, the family you just killed is still dead. Plus, you have to stick around for the BDA- you can't just "turn off the monitor". While it may look eerily similar, it is not a game. While I'm sure it's not as instantly traumatic as shooting a kid in the face, saying it doesn't or can't induce PTSD and doesn't deserve treatment is more than a little ignorant.

[kermit315]

This new medal is a crock. If they want to award the commanders, MSM's should be fine, assuming the work is actually reflecting of it. Being as they initially rated it above a bronze star, I would say that a MSM would be fine. That is what my old CO's got when they did turnover.

[Scuba Steve33]

[Raider510]

I agree with most of the sentiments expressed here, thanks for the input.

This "medal" should rate similar to an Army Achievement medal. Dunno what you squiddies and zoomies get that is similar, but it should be the same.

Granted, they do an important job. No one is disputing that. The kick in the nuts comes where they are getting recognized with a medal that is of such prestige that it rates higher than an award where you are physically injured in battle, or have done something meritorious enough that you earn a bronze star with V device. It just feels like a slap in the face to the guys on the ground in the s**t all day actually shooting bad guys and dodging those MF'ing IED's.

[billmaykafer]

too funny. i made sure my buddy got the message on this.he got a bronze star with V device in viet nam for tet.

[Scuba Steve33]

There's a White House petition to lower the status of the medal. I'm on my phone and haven't seen it but was told about it. Will sign when I get home.

The medal shouldn't even exist but it definitely shouldn't be higher than any medal capable of being awarded with a V device.

[Raider510]

I'd like to know what idiot up at the Pentagon is sponsoring this farce. From what it seems, any General worth his salt should be up in arms over this.