The way wars are being fought is changing. I understand that. And people who deploy to combat zones (well, mostly officers) but who rarely, if ever, hear a bullet go by, get Bronze Stars - which is just the equivalent of a Meritorious Service Medal in a combat zone.
Drone pilots want their piece of that pie.
I don't care if there is an award for excellence in flight simulation. HOWEVER - It is pure.utter.bullshit. if it ranks above the Soldiers Medal, which requires an element of serious personal risk to life and limb for the recipient.
I don't care how sad watching people get blown up on a tv screen makes you, there was no chance you were going to be bleeding except from a paper cut.
A specific medal for combat performance medals for drone pilots - fine. That ranks *above* the highest peacetime award for personal heroism? Not so much.
But I admit to being more sympathetic to the point than I was when I put this up on Facebook yesterday. A successful peacetime battalion commander will usually receive the Legion of Merit, which ranks above the Soldier's Medal, and generally, their risk is only professional.
Read the complete post at http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2012/07/heh_just_heh_1.html
Posted
Jul 13 2012, 06:03 AM
by
Argghhh! The Home Of Two Of Jonah's Military Guys..