SecDef Leon Panetta to release new 'drone pilot medal.' Outranks Bronze Star with Combat Valor
52 replies, posted
[quote]The Pentagon is creating a new high-level military medal that will recognize drone pilots and, in a controversial twist, giving it added clout by placing it above some traditional combat valor medals in the military’s “order of precedence.”
The Distinguished Warfare Medal will be awarded to pilots of unmanned aircraft, offensive cyber war experts or others who are directly involved in combat operations but who are not physically in theater and facing the physical risks that warfare historically entails.[/quote]
[url=http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2013/02/military-new-medal-for-drone-pilots-outranks-bronze-star-021313/]Oorah[/url]
[img_thumb]http://www.defense.gov/DODCMSShare/NewsStoryPhoto/2013-02/scr_130213-D-999ZZ-999.jpg[/img_thumb] Now takes precedence over this [img_thumb]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/72/Bronze_Star_medal.jpg[/img_thumb] with a [img_thumb]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7e/Valor_device.jpg[/img_thumb]
A medal that is given to a soldier that is actually on the ground, fighting if not helping save some of his buddy's life is now subordinate to a medal in where another soldier is a part of the combat with a drone taking his place.
Just a quick FYI, the combat 'V' is a small device that may be pinned onto the medal to signify that the soldier has performed a heroic action that placed himself in harm's way, however the actions did not warrant a silver star.
OK, this is bullshit.
So a guy who flies an RC plane is better than a guy mucking around and getting shot at?
Thanks, Pentagon.
So wait, you get a medal just for being a drone pilot?
Correct me if I'm wrong, quite rusty on american medals, isn't the bronze star like, the fourth or fifth highest medal in the US?
[QUOTE=Crimor;39580834]Correct me if I'm wrong, quite rusty on american medals, isn't the bronze star like, the fourth or fifth highest medal in the US?[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]The medal is sometimes referred to as the Bronze Star and is the fourth-highest combat decoration and the ninth highest U.S. military award in order of precedence.[/QUOTE]
wiki
[QUOTE=Crimor;39580834]Correct me if I'm wrong, quite rusty on american medals, isn't the bronze star like, the fourth or fifth highest medal in the US?[/QUOTE]
It's fourth, below the Legion of Merit.
[QUOTE=mobrockers2;39580829]So wait, you get a medal just for being a drone pilot?[/QUOTE]
It's specifically rewarded to drone pilots that have taken part in some sort of decisive action. That could be anything from painting some target the CIA has been following to blowing up Jihad HQ
I'm all for good drone pilots getting medals but it should NOT be above any medals that are awarded to those in the field. I mean COME ON
[QUOTE=CabooseRvB;39580856]It's fourth, below the Legion of Merit.
It's specifically rewarded to drone pilots that have taken part in some sort of decisive action. That could be anything from painting some target the CIA has been following to blowing up Jihad HQ[/QUOTE]
Your OP made it seem like you'd get it just for making it through pilot training :v:
there must be some reasoning behind this, it just sounds plain wrong for them to just decide that
[QUOTE=mobrockers2;39580904]Your OP made it seem like you'd get it just for making it through pilot training :v:[/QUOTE]
It's the nickname given to the medal apparently. It could apply to any person that was involved in cyberwarfare/rc/intel or shit like that apparently. And the prereqs are right in the snippet.
Ok a medal awarded to RPA pilots, "Cybers", and other Intel specialists who take part in a significant operation. That's fine for those who don't deploy often, but play a significant role in combat ops. Hell I can name a couple of guys in my shop who deserve this...
But placing it above the Bronze Star is pretty damn stupid honestly.
Pilots launching air strikes against insurgents who can't harm them earn medals too. Surgeons saving lives far away from the front lines earn medals too. Commanders who give orders without coming within fifty miles of the combat area earn medals all the time. Intelligence analysts and other support personnel get awards, and may never even leave the country.
A medal isn't a badge to show that you got shot at and didn't get scared. It's a reflection of personal service and contribution to the country, and when you're expected to make important decisions that end lives on the basis of a grainy TV feed, it's a tough job.
I think it would be a little ridiculous to say that they can't earn medals because they aren't physically in-theater. The personal risk may be lower but the stress and service are still there.
Edit: Well, whether it should go above a Bronze Star is another issue entirely, but I think drone pilots definitely deserve to be able to earn commendations reflecting their contributions.
I recall reading an article about how hard the drone pilots have it. They can be stuck in their shack for up to 18 hours on intense missions, with others bringing them hot meals from the chow hall. They are starting to get PTSD from pulling that trigger button from 12,000 miles away.
It's fucking pathetic.
[QUOTE=catbarf;39581081]Pilots launching air strikes against insurgents who can't harm them earn medals too. Surgeons saving lives far away from the front lines earn medals too. Commanders who give orders without coming within fifty miles of the combat area earn medals all the time. Intelligence analysts and other support personnel get awards, and may never even leave the country.
A medal isn't a badge to show that you got shot at and didn't get scared. It's a reflection of personal service and contribution to the country, and when you're expected to make important decisions that end lives on the basis of a grainy TV feed, it's a tough job.
I think it would be a little ridiculous to say that they can't earn medals because they aren't physically in-theater. The personal risk may be lower but the stress and service are still there.
Edit: Well, whether it should go above a Bronze Star is another issue entirely, but I think drone pilots definitely deserve to be able to earn commendations reflecting their contributions.[/QUOTE]
Being a pilot is a far more risky job than sitting in a container controlling a UAV or UCAV. Not all war is conducted against ragtag insurgents in Afghanistan.
Why don't they just give drone pilots the same that the airforce guys get, no one like the airforce guys anyway.
[QUOTE=Crimor;39581187]Why don't they just give drone pilots the same that the airforce guys get, no one like the airforce guys anyway.[/QUOTE]
I thought everyone liked the Air Force guys.
[QUOTE=Crimor;39581187]Why don't they just give drone pilots the same that the airforce guys get, no one like the airforce guys anyway.[/QUOTE]
Heads up...the Air Force has drone pilots too. Unless you're implying something else.
It should be far lower than something given for fucking valor.
They should just call them Achievements.
I don't think people involved in cyber attacks or whatever it's called for the military and drone pilots should get medals, I don't really understand why they deserve it as much as the guys out there in the thick of the combat. Maybe a badge or a patch but definitely not a medal as high as this.
[h2]!!!NEW HIGH SCORE!!![/h2]
[QUOTE=l33tkill;39581281]Heads up...the Air Force has drone pilots too. Unless you're implying something else.[/QUOTE]
What I meant was the same medals, a UAV is still craft that's in the air, an aircraft, last time I checked at least.
[QUOTE=Ridge;39581092]I recall reading an article about how hard the drone pilots have it. They can be stuck in their shack for up to 18 hours on intense missions, with others bringing them hot meals from the chow hall. They are starting to get PTSD from pulling that trigger button from 12,000 miles away.
It's fucking pathetic.[/QUOTE]
While I agree that being a drone pilot isn't very comparable to actually being on the field, going ahead and saying that a drone pilot getting PTSD is "fucking pathetic" is a very bold statement to make.
While these people are not in any immediate danger, they do have other people's lives in their hands. Saying that it's pathetic for a drone pilot to get PTSD is like saying it's pathetic for a surgeon to get PTSD for accidentally killing his patient.
Difference being the surgeon is right there in the guy's face. The average soldier is right there in the guy's face. The drone pilot is looking through a camera 25,000 feet above the target. There is no feedback to deal with. No aftermath. He sees the explosion on screen, but it's just pixels. It's nowhere near the same thing as someone dying in your arms.
Being someone who plans to be a drone pilot, it's great to see that they (and hopefully soon me) will get recognition for their work. But do I think it should be higher than than the bronze star? No, but the bronze star shouldn't outrank it either, it should be equal. Bitch all you want about real life and computer screens (AKA most 4chan copypastas and typical facepunch babble), warfare is not about medals and ranks. It's about defending your country and protecting your people.
[QUOTE=Ridge;39583047]Difference being the surgeon is right there in the guy's face. The average soldier is right there in the guy's face. The drone pilot is looking through a camera 25,000 feet above the target. There is no feedback to deal with. No aftermath. He sees the explosion on screen, but it's just pixels. It's nowhere near the same thing as someone dying in your arms.[/QUOTE]
who are to even talk about something like that? how could you know what its like?
[QUOTE=CaptainRagequit;39583898]Being someone who plans to be a drone pilot, it's great to see that they (and hopefully soon me) will get recognition for their work. But do I think it should be higher than than the bronze star? No, but the bronze star shouldn't outrank it either, it should be equal. Bitch all you want about real life and computer screens (AKA most 4chan copypastas and typical facepunch babble), warfare is not about medals and ranks. It's about defending your country and protecting your people.[/QUOTE]
wtf, why shouldnt bronze star outrank it?
bronze star and above is for heroism, this drone medal is for bombing targets from safety of his container while not being in danger of any kind
i dont mind drone pilots having medals, but having it outranking bronze star is fucking absurd
[QUOTE=lolwutdude;39584242]wtf, why shouldnt bronze star outrank it?
bronze star and above is for heroism, this drone medal is for bombing targets from safety of his container while not being in danger of any kind
i dont mind drone pilots having medals, but having it outranking bronze star is fucking absurd[/QUOTE]
That doesnt make sense. You are saying because drone pilots are not in immediate danger they domt deserve a medal that is ranked that high? Drones can save hundreds of lives through scouting and strikes. The drone is starting to become a massive fucking importance in war. Drones might take over most positions in the near future too. Just because they cant get shot doesnt mean that their effectiveness on the battlefield is shit. They do their job, and they get rewarded for it. If anything make it equal.
[QUOTE=codemaster85;39584279]That doesnt make sense. You are saying because drone pilots are not in immediate danger they domt deserve a medal that is ranked that high? Drones can save hundreds of lives through scouting and strikes. The drone is starting to become a massive fucking importance in war. Drones might take over most positions in the near future too. Just because they cant get shot doesnt mean that their effectiveness on the battlefield is shit. They do their job, and they get rewarded for it. If anything make it equal.[/QUOTE]
by that logic we should we give out higher ranked food medals for feeding our soldiers which is essential for their battle readiness and morale, higher ranked ammo medal for logistics which is essential to fight in the first place, and etc.
the entire point of bronze medals and others is to exemplify heroism and risks soldiers take to save each other's lives or complete the objective at the risk of their life
do drone pilots deserve a high ranked medal? sure, but outranking bronze stars? absurd
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