Pentagon creates new Combat Medal......

[Timothy]

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....

[PegLeg45]

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

[tombogan03884]

In rank I think it would be appropriate to list it as equivalent to a Combat Infantry badge, or Combat Aircrew badge.

[Timothy]

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

[tombogan03884]

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.

[Sponsor]

[Timothy]

It boils down to these asshats doing whatever they please!  Long ago, they stopped caring about repercussions!

[dipisc]

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.

[tombogan03884]

Unlike most infantrymen these people actually kill people, and wreck stuff.

[jnevis]

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.