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Seems like the Pentagon is creating a Distinguished Warfare Medal for for drone operators and cyber-warfare types. This is the meat of the link: quote: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. I'm still sort of digesting this, but am generally not a fan of medal bloat. I would prefer to kill the "end of tour" Commendation medals and award them only for truly meritorious action. I've seen Navy Achievement Medals handed out for the stupidest of "achievements", so I'm not sure that yet another meritorious medal is warranted. MoraleHazard fucked around with this message at Feb 13, 2013 around 21:44 |
| # ? Feb 13, 2013 21:42 |
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| # ? May 24, 2013 00:12 |
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I would think that although this medal is ranked higher than the BSM, it won't have the same clout. Drone/Cyber warfare is going to take an increased role over time, probably to the point that we have full sized drone fleets, so having an appropriate decoration for combat (dropping hellfire on dudes remotely) seems warranted. Ranking it over the BSM was probably a mistake.
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| # ? Feb 13, 2013 22:32 |
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Its gettin pretty hard excersing those finger muscles dropping bombs on madrassas 
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| # ? Feb 14, 2013 06:16 |
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My only issue is that it should be below a BSM, or at least equal to it. Comedy option: Retroactively retract all non-combat related BSMs and award them with this. I don't care if that means I don't get to keep mine.
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| # ? Feb 14, 2013 06:55 |
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One thing from the article. I think this isn't supposed to be a valorous medal; but meritorious. The only people I've seed awarded meritorious bronze stars are mid-grade officers for completing a tour in IRQ or AFG.
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| # ? Feb 14, 2013 11:57 |
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MoraleHazard posted:One thing from the article. I think this isn't supposed to be a valorous medal; but meritorious. The only people I've seed awarded meritorious bronze stars are mid-grade officers for completing a tour in IRQ or AFG. Huh? Junior officers and Senior NCOs get them all the time for the same reason.
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| # ? Feb 14, 2013 12:58 |
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MoraleHazard posted:One thing from the article. I think this isn't supposed to be a valorous medal; but meritorious. The only people I've seed awarded meritorious bronze stars are mid-grade officers for completing a tour in IRQ or AFG. Negative. I have multiple friends who got them as EOT awards after non-combat tours in Iraq/Afghanistan as O-2s (and one O-3).
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| # ? Feb 14, 2013 13:22 |
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Guess I'm wrong then. The "I've seen" part was a few O-5's.
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| # ? Feb 14, 2013 15:12 |
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MoraleHazard posted:Guess I'm wrong then. The "I've seen" part was a few O-5's. My Iraq deployment saw E-6s getting MSMs (BSMs if they were acting as platoon sergeants) and E-7s and above (including all officers) getting BSMs. The only officers to get MSMs instead of BSMs were officers who screwed up in some fashion.
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| # ? Feb 14, 2013 16:51 |
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McNally posted:My Iraq deployment saw E-6s getting MSMs (BSMs if they were acting as platoon sergeants) and E-7s and above (including all officers) getting BSMs. My last active unit had an O-3 Chaplain who couldn't pass a PT test. We get to the end of Korea award ceremony with all the SNCOs and officers getting their MSMs/BSMs and poo poo, and this guy...gets a Certificate of Appreciation. I felt bad just standing in the formation.
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| # ? Feb 14, 2013 18:27 |
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McNally posted:My Iraq deployment saw E-6s getting MSMs (BSMs if they were acting as platoon sergeants) and E-7s and above (including all officers) getting BSMs. I think I was one of those guys who perennially missed out on the medal gravy train. An old CO got an MSM from squadron after his tour (Navy small boats) and none of the officers (I was his XO) got anything because we were just "doing our jobs". The SEL and I had to beg / arm twist / get him drunk to get him to even sign off on NAMs for the E6 and below. My last deployment earned me an ARCOM (Navy guy attached to an Army unit). Then again, it wasn't Iraq or Afghanistan, but CJTF-HOA. Eulogistics posted:My last active unit had an O-3 Chaplain who couldn't pass a PT test. We get to the end of Korea award ceremony with all the SNCOs and officers getting their MSMs/BSMs and poo poo, and this guy...gets a Certificate of Appreciation. I felt bad just standing in the formation. A guy who worked for me said that he got the Certificate of Appreciation after doing to some drug interdiction op in the Caribbean. Some drug freighter was in danger of sinking and he and a bunch of other Sailors kept it (and the evidence) afloat until they hit Miami. He said that when he got the "award", right after the ceremony, he crumpled it up and threw it in the trash front of the Captain and everyone else at the ceremony.
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| # ? Feb 14, 2013 19:00 |
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MoraleHazard posted:I think I was one of those guys who perennially missed out on the medal gravy train. An old CO got an MSM from squadron after his tour (Navy small boats) and none of the officers (I was his XO) got anything because we were just "doing our jobs". I'm totally fine with this. The only medals that should be awarded are valorous, campaign, and expeditionary. All the other poo poo is pointless.
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| # ? Feb 14, 2013 19:28 |
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Vasudus posted:My only issue is that it should be below a BSM, or at least equal to it. BSM is bronze star medal? Does seem a bit strange to give a medal for... well, not really doing anything dangerous
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| # ? Feb 16, 2013 08:48 |
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Two Finger posted:BSM is bronze star medal? Does seem a bit strange to give a medal for... well, not really doing anything dangerous The vast majority of medals are awarded for not doing anything dangerous. Its not like you can give someone a monetary bonus for doing a good job.
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| # ? Feb 16, 2013 09:03 |
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Huh. I did not know that. I have spoken with some of NZ's military and the running joke is that in the US military they give you a medal for showing up. Is there any truth to that?
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| # ? Feb 16, 2013 09:07 |
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Two Finger posted:Huh. I did not know that. I have spoken with some of NZ's military and the running joke is that in the US military they give you a medal for showing up. Is there any truth to that? Depends on the branch and what rank you are.
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| # ? Feb 16, 2013 09:21 |
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Two Finger posted:Huh. I did not know that. I have spoken with some of NZ's military and the running joke is that in the US military they give you a medal for showing up. Is there any truth to that? Taking that literally, because we're in a "time of war" everyone in the U.S. military qualifies for the National Defense Service Medal by virtue of completing initial training. And if you manage to stay in for a whopping 30 days you also get the non-expeditionary GWOT medal. So literally everyone in the U.S. military technically qualifies for two medals by virtue of being in the U.S. military for 30 days. Of course no one takes these seriously as an actual medal because everyone knows that everyone gets them. Taken less literally, what Veins said is correct.
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| # ? Feb 16, 2013 09:26 |
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Two Finger posted:Huh. I did not know that. I have spoken with some of NZ's military and the running joke is that in the US military they give you a medal for showing up. Is there any truth to that? Depends on how much the people signing the paperwork like you, and how much power you have to scratch their back in return.
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| # ? Feb 16, 2013 13:54 |
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My ribbon rack is loving stacked for being in for 4 years. Basic Training Ribbon National Defense Ribbon GWOT Iraq Ribbon Korea Ribbon Overseas Ribbon 7x Army Achievement 4x Army Commendation Good Conduct Medal NCO Professional Development Ribbon 2x PH Bronze Star Medal Combat Action Badge Sapper Tab I might be missing something, but that's pretty much it. Got an AAM for a PCS award from Korea, an ARCOM as a PCS award from 3d ACR, an ARCOM as a retirement award and the BSM as a service award in Iraq. Really, I only got the BSM because I did way, way, way, way more than most people my deployment and giving me an ARCOM would have been lovely, so I got the next best thing. Which everyone E7+ got anyway. This isn't how it should be. I can't remember what the gently caress I got all the other AAMs/ARCOMs for though. I would have to find the citations up in the attic at my mom's place. I can guarantee that probably 90% of them were for bullshit though.
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| # ? Feb 16, 2013 20:09 |
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12 personal achievement type medals in 4 years jesus christ 0____________0 0 in six for me lol
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| # ? Feb 16, 2013 20:14 |
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genderstomper58 posted:12 personal achievement type medals in 4 years jesus christ 0____________0 I know people that have more, faster than that. I'm really nothing special AT ALL. Some dudes that have been at BN/BDE staff for most of their careers are stacked as gently caress.
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| # ? Feb 16, 2013 20:16 |
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Vasudus posted:I'm really nothing special AT ALL. The Army/AF give out absurd amounts of personal awards.
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| # ? Feb 16, 2013 20:30 |
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Veins McGee posted:The Army/AF give out absurd amounts of personal awards. Both services give out a ribbon for completing initial training. I think that about sums it up.
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| # ? Feb 16, 2013 20:34 |
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Vasudus posted:My only issue is that it should be below a BSM, or at least equal to it. This is actually a good idea. Make them roughly equal but only issue the BSM for valor.
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| # ? Feb 16, 2013 20:36 |
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highlights of my career: combat action ribbon, NJP, 10 page 11s semper fi
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| # ? Feb 16, 2013 21:07 |
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NAPALM CURES NIPS posted:highlights of my career: combat action ribbon, NJP, 10 page 11s  The most 03 of posts
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| # ? Feb 16, 2013 21:32 |
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The only award that I actually got for Doing Something was the Humanitarian Service Medal AKA the bitch-slap medal. The POGiest of POGs. Having this DWM thing superior to the BSM is dumb as hell.
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| # ? Feb 16, 2013 21:32 |
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I've got the gay AAM and ARCOMs for PCS and end of tour stuff. The usual Iraq and Afghanistan stuff with campaign stars, yadda yadda etc. About the only things that are worth a poo poo (to me at least) are my PH and CIB. Even then I only got those cuz I got shot, and shot people. Buddy of mine got all smug cuz he got a BS with V-device, wanted to shove it in the face of douchebag higher-ups with their regular BS gimmies.
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| # ? Feb 17, 2013 01:39 |
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Not gonna lie, if I had a PH I'd get one of those sweet license plates and never get a speeding ticket again
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| # ? Feb 17, 2013 01:44 |
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I got the National Defense Service Medal for Desert Storm/Shield. In 1995. I was in middle school during the actual war. The only medal of mine worth a poo poo is my Navy Expeditionary Medal, which got me in the VFW and American Legion. 
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| # ? Feb 17, 2013 05:35 |
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Mad Dragon posted:I got the National Defense Service Medal for Desert Storm/Shield. In 1995. I was in middle school during the actual war. The only medal of mine worth a poo poo is my Navy Expeditionary Medal, which got me in the VFW and American Legion. NEM owns bc almost only sub bros get it~~ (im sure there are exceptions but never seen a surface only guy w/ one)
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| # ? Feb 17, 2013 06:17 |
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This was a pretty interesting thread and figured I would jump in real quick with my two cents and post this link I found earlier. I am all for giving out citations and medals when deserved and even agree with the drone pilots being able to EARN these cause some of the things they do are amazing and save soldiers and civilians lives day in and day out. I do have a problem with this medal having precedence over medals that soldiers with boots on the ground and in actual combat have earned. Take a look and sign or don't sign but at least you can actually try to do something about it if you agree... https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/pe...mpaign=shorturl
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| # ? Feb 19, 2013 17:44 |
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Their reasoning might be that a lot of bronze stars are awarded for non-valorous reasons. Maybe it should have precedence over the bronze star, but not over a bronze star for valor?
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| # ? Feb 19, 2013 19:39 |
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I'm like 95% sure the order of precedence doesn't work like that, though. The Bronze Star is the Bronze Star, whether or not it has the V, as far as the order is concerned.
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| # ? Feb 19, 2013 20:35 |
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Just wishful thinking right now.
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| # ? Feb 19, 2013 20:43 |
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Suicide King posted:This was a pretty interesting thread and figured I would jump in real quick with my two cents and post this link I found earlier. Big walking dead fan?
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| # ? Feb 20, 2013 05:33 |
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Finally this arrives; I'm submitting four packages when I get into work tomorrow (only kind of kidding)
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| # ? Feb 20, 2013 09:34 |
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I want a medal for updating virus definitions. Actually I just want to see what the text for that would say.
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| # ? Feb 21, 2013 00:34 |
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something something tireless work something something X dollars of sensitive computer equipment protected something something blah blah constant and unwavering dedication to duty blah blah in the face of incessant Chinese threats something something finest tradition of the US Naval Service suck my dick
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| # ? Feb 21, 2013 00:36 |
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| # ? May 24, 2013 00:12 |
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Eulogistics posted:My last active unit had an O-3 Chaplain who couldn't pass a PT test. We get to the end of Korea award ceremony with all the SNCOs and officers getting their MSMs/BSMs and poo poo, and this guy...gets a Certificate of Appreciation. I felt bad just standing in the formation. No worries dude, you're not alone. I hosed my back up, failed a PT test (in Iraq '05, wtf), all of a sudden it was, "Well specialist, you failed your pt test so they're giving you a COA instead of an AAM for the deployment." Told my NCOIC not to bother submitting a packet. Got a stern talking to by top and the CO (hooray counseling statements), told them I didn't care. Then the CSM had to come give me poo poo about it (yay HHD) and I told him I didn't care. Award ceremony rolled around and I was chilling, sleeping in the cheap seats in the Anaconda theater. This was the same company that gave a bunch of officers and SNCOs(who weren't present) awards for "acting swiftly, securing a perimeter and warning others of danger" after one rocket dudded itself on the roof of the enlisted quarters building. One dud rocket caused something like 10 awards, easily half of the people not there when it happened. My dumb rear end was the one that found it when I was checking out whatever was smoking up there (we thought it was the lovely a/c units, there were 4 SPCs up there). The four of us? Nothing. We didn't give a gently caress and each have little trinket poo poo (mostly stabilizing fins) from it for whatever reason. My fin is a keychain now. I'll never forget how I came across it, but those awarded medals over that poo poo will have to dig out their paperwork and read their award memo to remember why they got it in the first place. None of that matters anyhow. At least it's not as bad as the fuckhead who got a purple heart for puncturing his ear drum with a q-tip in the dfac line when a mortar hit a few hundred meters out. That fucks' kids are going to go to college for free (state he lives in) because of his perfect timing cleaning the poo poo out of his ear-holes.
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| # ? Feb 21, 2013 02:46 |
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