The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: PegLeg45 on February 13, 2013, 04:53:28 PM
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....... for cyber, drone wars:
Pentagon creates new medal for cyber, drone wars
They fight the war from computer consoles and video screens.
But the troops that launch the drone strikes and direct the cyberattacks that can kill or disable an enemy may never set foot in the combat zone.
Now their battlefield contributions may be recognized.
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced Wednesday that for the first time the Pentagon is creating a medal that can be awarded to troops who have a direct impact on combat operations, but do it from afar.
"I've seen firsthand how modern tools, like remotely piloted platforms and cyber systems, have changed the way wars are fought," Panetta said. "And they've given our men and women the ability to engage the enemy and change the course of battle, even from afar."
The work they do "does contribute to the success of combat operations, particularly when they remove the enemy from the field of battle, even if those actions are physically removed from the fight," he said.
The new blue, red and white-ribboned Distinguished Warfare Medal will be awarded to individuals for "extraordinary achievement" related to a military operation that occurred after Sept. 11, 2001. But unlike other combat medals, it does not require the recipient risk his or her life to get it.
Officials said the new medal will be the first combat-related award to be created since the Bronze Star in 1944.
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.
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more at link:
http://news.yahoo.com/pentagon-creates-medal-cyber-drone-wars-165609753--politics.html
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Well, those who earn it probably got sports awards for finishing last place in school, or maybe just for showing up, so this is a logical (? ? ? ) extension of that mindset. Kinda like bho winning the Nobel Peace prize for what he might possibly, someday kinda do.
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Well, those who earn it probably got sports awards for finishing last place in school, or maybe just for showing up, so this is a logical (? ? ? ) extension of that mindset. Kinda like bho winning the Nobel Peace prize for what he might possibly, someday kinda do.
You're wrong Path.
These medals are no more unearned than aircraft crews who never get closer than 2 miles to the actual fighting eat 3 hot meals every day and sleep in clean sheets every night.
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That's all the AF ;D
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That's all the AF ;D
What about the guy's in Marine squads with the little hand launched ones ?
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What about the guy's in Marine squads with the little hand launched ones ?
At least those guys are still in danger range.
The guy sitting in a trailer in Nevada bouncing signals off satellites? Not so much.
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I don't see why any one has a problem with this.
They give out medals for being in the area without actually killing the enemy, why not give a medal for killing the enemy with out actually being there.
Seems a heck of a lot more deserved if you ask me.
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I'm with Bogan on this one! There a few ribbons awarded that I never received because there was no conflict during my four year hitch. The National Defense Service Ribbon is given to anyone on active duty during a conflict whether they're in the theater of ops or not. I don't have one, no big deal!
Combat is combat, plenty of squids have ribbons for defense of their country and never left the confines of the ship they served on. This is no different!
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I agree with Tim and Tom as long as some validation is required. The guys to receive this new medal may serve in secrecy and in classified units. Identifying them publicly for the medal may endanger them, their families and their co-workers. The Pentagon better handle this with some sensitivity before they blow cover on NSA, DIA, Service and SOF personnel who may be deserving of the award but not of the public recognition. Just a thought.
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I agree with Tim and Tom as long as some validation is required. The guys to receive this new medal may serve in secrecy and in classified units. Identifying them publicly for the medal may endanger them, their families and their co-workers. The Pentagon better handle this with some sensitivity before they blow cover on NSA, DIA, Service and SOF personnel who may be deserving of the award but not of the public recognition. Just a thought.
There is already a protocol in place for the award of medals such as the CIA' Intelligence Star .
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I have an acquaintance that was awarded the Legion of Merit! The details of the award are not available to those who don't have a need to know! I have no need to know the circumstances of his commendation. I have two, lessor, Meritorious Commendations during my hitch! It's still somewhat classified so it is what it is....
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I don't necessarily have a problem with a medal for service recognition, but I think Allen West may have a point about it being ranked above the Bronze Star.....
Allen West from his FB page:
And in the latest effort to diminish the heroic achievements of those who risk their life and limb in combat on behalf of our nation and its citizens, the Pentagon is creating a new medal for cyber and drone wars. While I believe those who operate drone strikes in support of combat operations should be recognized, I cannot understand presenting an award ranked higher than a Bronze Star for someone who never sets foot in a combat zone, where no personal risk is involved. We’re just making up medals now. This is not kids’ t-ball where you get a ribbon for just showing up. This is warfare. Remember the proposed “Combat Restraint Medal” for troops in combat that did not engage the enemy? We are losing our collective minds and are blazing a trial to our nation’s surrender and eventual demise.
https://www.facebook.com/ElectAllenWest
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In rank I think it would be appropriate to list it as equivalent to a Combat Infantry badge, or Combat Aircrew badge.
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In rank I think it would be appropriate to list it as equivalent to a Combat Infantry badge, or Combat Aircrew badge.
Here's the top 15... IMO, it ranks below all of them..
1. Medal of Honor (Army)
2. Distinguished Service Cross
3. Defense Distinguished Service Medal
4. Distinguished Service Medal (Army)
5. Silver Star
6. Defense Superior Service Medal
7. Legion of Merit
8. Distinguished Flying Cross
9. Soldier's Medal
10. Bronze Star Medal
11. Purple Heart
12. Defense Meritorious Service Medal
13. Meritorious Service Medal
14. Air Medal
15. Joint Service Commendation Medal
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If it's a "medal" instead of a "Qualification badge" it should be around 12 or 14
Below a Purple Heart, but above JS Commendation.
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It boils down to these asshats doing whatever they please! Long ago, they stopped caring about repercussions!
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Hi;
So lets say that whoever gets this medal and never left the USA. It is considered a combat medal, does this qualify them to be an "active" member of the VFW like those who were in a foxhole and getting shot at ? Perhaps it should of been something of a "in support of" type medal. To me this degrades the reason for the Army's Combat Infantrymans Badge.
The Marine Corps has a long standing that they dont "give" ribbons and medals for being "first in your class" type actions.
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Unlike most infantrymen these people actually kill people, and wreck stuff.
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We've been discussing this on another forum. We may joke about it, but one of the guys mentioned that unlike fighter types that see the war from 25k ft, the drone guys are more like help types and see it up close and personal. It may be a video monitor but they're still looking right at a face before the weapon goes of most of the time. The other side of that coin is the fact that these drone guys are sometimes the only air support for miles for ground troopers in a world of hurt and need some extra firepower to get home alive. They damn sure are saving lives when it comes to IED detection.