On That Distinguished Wargamer Medal

[longknife]

by CJ Grisham @ A Soldier's Perspective blog @ On That Distinguished Wargamer Medal | A Soldier's Perspective discusses the latest Pentagon that has a lot of veterans up in arms – a new medal to be awarded to drone pilots!

For those who aren't aware of the brouhaha, DOD wishes to establish the medal as more important than the Bronze or Silver Stars, true medals for heroic actions in combat. In other words, guys sitting in super comfortable arm chairs safely ensconced in bomb-proof bunkers are to receive recognition for their tireless efforts that is higher in recognition than the two above-mentioned medals. I really like these two options instead:

 

[Toronado3800]

It probably should be under the physically getting shot at stars unless a drone pilot finds the car carrying Reagan's deficit or something absolutely special I agree.

Do we have lists of drone aces or anything in that line yet?

 

[Oldguy]

I don't have a problem with recognizing the contributions of those who directly affect the course of an engagement, even from afar.

But, the order of precedence for this new medal needs to be re-considered.

SecDef announces Distinguished Warfare Medal

 

[waltky]

Panetta's parting shot...

New medal for modern warfare sparks strong reaction
February 14, 2013 — The news that a medal has been created to honor the “extraordinary actions” of drone pilots and other servicemembers acting far from the battlefield has triggered strong reactions about medals and their value.

In one of his last official acts, outgoing Defense Secretary Leon Panetta on Wednesday announced the creation of the Distinguished Warfare Medal, to recognize “extraordinary achievements that directly impact on combat operations, but do not involve acts of valor or physical risks that combat entails.” The medal will rank immediately below the Distinguished Flying Cross — and higher than the Bronze Star — in order of precedence, according to a Defense Department chart. It can be awarded for any actions after Sept. 11, 2001. “Our military reserves its highest decorations, obviously, for those who display gallantry and valor in actions where their lives are on the line, and we will continue to do so,” Panetta said. “But we should also have the ability to honor the extraordinary actions that make a true difference in combat operations.” Drones and cyberwarfare “have changed the way wars are fought,” Panetta said.

Critics quickly pounced on the idea that medals for trigger-pullers would now be outranked by a medal for joystick-manipulators. The Veterans of Foreign Wars voiced its displeasure in a statement Thursday, declaring that the 2 million-member organization “is in total disagreement” with the decision to have the new Distinguished Warfare Medal outrank the Bronze Star and Purple Heart, adding that it could “quickly deteriorate into a morale issue.” “The VFW fully concurs that those far from the fight are having an immediate impact on the battlefield in real-time,” said John E. Hamilton, VFW national commander and a combat-wounded Marine Corps rifleman in Vietnam. “But medals that can only be earned in direct combat must mean more than medals awarded in the rear.”

Those who fight remotely using technologically advanced weapons of war have often been dismissed; some scoff at military awards when there is no immediate, tangible risk to life and limb. Others ridiculed the idea outright. “So medals would be awarded for sitting safely ensconced in a bunker on U.S. soil and launching bombs with a video joystick at human beings thousands of miles away,” wrote commentator Glenn Greenwald for Salon.com in a July 2012, column when talk of the medal first surfaced. Critics also have derided the medal as redundant, given that awards for technical expertise and/or meritorious service outside war zones exist in the array of medals the services already offer. Yet some see merit in the idea, questioning the current definition of “war zone.”

MORE

See also:

Troops use humor to disparage new medal
February 15, 2013 The Distinguished Warfare Medal was established to acknowledge the most modern technology, but servicemembers and veterans are responding to the award’s creation in a decidedly old-school way: Mocking it mercilessly.

Along with an avalanche of Whiskey Tango Foxtrots and a tsunami of outrage, troops are circulating a photo of a gold-plated X-Box controller and the skull-emblazoned “Call of Duty” medal as “prototypes” of the new award, which honors servicemembers like drone pilots and computer hackers who impact combat operations from afar. The medal is being called the Chairborne Medal, the Distant Warfare Medal and the Purple Buttocks, among other names.

The Onion-esque military website “The Duffel Blog” poked fun at the new medal by posting two related stories: “Drone Pilot To Receive First Air Force Medal of Honor Since Vietnam” and “Heroic Predator Drone Is First Recipient of Distinguished Warfare Medal.”

“Doctrine Man,” an Army officer and purveyor of military humor, referred to the medal as a “pledge pin” and drew a comic suggesting that some drone pilots could earn the medal by flying a mission from the safety of the head. Then, drawing parallels to “A Few Good Men’s” Col. Jessup, he posted the comic in mouse pad form with the quote, “You need me on that joystick!”

So while the first servicemember to earn the medal will need to be an exceptional drone pilot or cyber whiz, he or she may also need a thick skin to wear it in public.

Source[/quote]

 

[SFC Ollie]

There can be no doubt in todays warfare that these troops who control and or operate these drones should be recognized, as they have changed the battle many times.

However, to place this medal above any medal for valor is a slap in the face to every veteran or active duty soldier. sailor, airman, or marine who has ever faced the enemy up close and personal.....

At the most this medal should be ranked somewhere around the Army Commendation Medal.

 

[Mad Scientist]

For those who aren't aware of the brouhaha, DOD wishes to establish the medal as more important than the Bronze or Silver Stars, true medals for heroic actions in combat.

The DOD values the contributions of Drones more than Soldiers now.

Let that sink in.

 

[waltky]

The 'Purple Buttocks'?...

Distinguished Warfare Medal is off to a rocky start
March 1, 2013 WASHINGTON -- Critics have dubbed it “the Nintendo medal” and “the Purple Buttocks.” Veterans groups are lobbying the White House against it. Lawmakers are working to downgrade it.

Pentagon officials, ignoring the criticism, are moving ahead with the new Distinguished Warfare Medal, designed to honor “extraordinary actions” of drone pilots and other off-site troops performing noteworthy deeds on far-away battlefields. It’s months away from being awarded. The military has to mint the new awards, establish guidelines for processing nominations and find heroic operators to receive the honor.

That gives detractors time to wage their own war against the “distant warfare medal,” inside top military offices and from remote locations outside the Pentagon. It will be a tough fight. “This Pentagon, they’ve been immovable on fixes and mistakes in the awards system,” said Doug Sterner, military medals expert and archivist for the Hall of Valor awards database. “They’re closed-minded when it comes to outside criticism. They’re going to do what they’re going to do.”

Since the award was announced last month, veterans advocates have taken aim not at the creation of a new medal but at its placement in the order of precedence. Military planners have said the medal will rank immediately below the Distinguished Flying Cross – higher than the Bronze Star and Purple Heart, awards given for direct battlefield heroism. American Legion National Commander James Koutz told his membership last week that a new honor for servicemembers serving safely from afar “should not outrank awards for troops’ serving in harm’s way.”

Officials from the Veterans of Foreign Wars broached the issue in their meeting with President Barack Obama this week, eliciting a promise from the commander-in-chief that he would review the issue. And organizers at VoteVets.org have collected more than 5,000 responses to the medal -- most complaining about its position above the Bronze Star -- that they intend to share with new Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, a former enlisted soldier and a Purple Heart recipient. “We think, with his background, he’ll want to take a look at this,” said Jon Solz, chairman of the group. “We’ve been his biggest supporters, and we’re bringing him what veterans are thinking about the issue right now. We hope he’ll listen.”

MORE

 

[waltky]

Senate wants to knock down Distinguished Warfare Medal...

Senate too wants Distinguished Warfare Medal knocked down
March 7, 2013 WASHINGTON — Add the U.S. Senate to the list of critics of the new Distinguished Warfare Medal.

Four senators — two Republicans, two Democrats — on Wednesday introduced legislation to drop the new medal in the military’s order of precedence, putting it below the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

In a statement, Sen. John Tester, D-Mont., acknowledged the need to recognize troops performing heroically beyond the battlefield, but “the folks who serve directly in the theater of war are at greater risk and we should fully acknowledge the risks that their service brings.”

Similar legislation was introduced in the House last week, and veterans advocates have decried the medal ever since its introduction last month. Officials from the Veterans of Foreign Wars said they petitioned President Barack Obama during a White House meeting last week to intervene on the issue, and he promised to review the controversy.

But Pentagon officials have said the criticism thus far has not forced any changes in the creation of the medal or its placement above the Bronze Star. The award is designed to honor “extraordinary actions” of drone pilots and other off-site troops performing noteworthy deeds on far-away battlefields.

Source

 

[jon_berzerk]

Army Special Forces soldiers will not "infiltrate" Utah communities this summer — a plan that had riled residents suspicious of the government’s motives.

Green Berets had planned to parachute into several central Utah counties, cross mountains and work with Utahans who would be playing roles as resisters to an enemy regime.

The Defense Department wants the soldiers to have fresh training in skills at the heart of Special Forces’ mission, such as covertly cultivating relationships with regular citizens and training resistance forces trying to liberate themselves from oppressive governments, said Col. Robert Dunton, a special projects officer for the Utah National Guard who was helping organize the exercise.

The Special Operations Command has designated Utah, with its desert and mountain geography as well as a culture dominated by a religious faith, as a good place for such training.

"Every place we go [to train] is a different culture… a different mentality throws them off and requires [soldiers] to adapt," said Staff Sgt. Ryan Sabin, a spokesman for the 10th Special Forces.

But budget tightening and other factors have put the kibosh on the training.

Paul Weddle, a retired Green Beret contracted to help the Army set up the exercise in Sanpete, Sevier, Emery and Carbon counties, said he got news late Thursday it has been canceled.

The news was welcomed by some who had resisted the exercise.

"I’m relieved," said Alan Braithwaite of Manti. "I like to see them get trained; I just didn’t want them coming here and scaring people and that’s what it was doing."

Braithwaite was the leader of a sizable group that protested Manti’s welcoming of the Special Forces exercise last fall. Fifteen people spoke at a Manti City Council meeting the day after President Barack Obama was re-elected, urging the council to rescind the welcome.

Special Forces soldiers drop plan to ?infiltrate? Utah | The Salt Lake Tribune

 

[waltky]

Hagel likes new Distinguished Warfare Medal...

Hagel stands by ranking of drone medal
March 11, 2013 WASHINGTON — New Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel is standing by the Pentagon’s decision to rank the new Distinguished Warfare Medal higher than the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

The medal is intended to recognize the actions of drone operators who might be thousands of miles from a given conflict. In a posting on his website Monday, Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., said he was disappointed by the decision. “While I fully support appropriate recognition of all military personnel whose extraordinary actions make a difference in combat operations,” Toomey wrote, “I am concerned about this decision and the new medal’s ranking in DOD’s order of precedence. Pennsylvania’s veterans and others have told me of their concerns with ranking the new medal above some combat valor medals, such as the Bronze Star Medal with valor device.” Toomey had written a letter asking for clarification from Leon Panetta, who was secretary of defense at the time. The response came from Panetta’s successor in a letter dated Thursday, Hagel’s eighth day on the job.

Hagel’s office sent the same letter to the commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C. Hagel wrote that he had discussed the medal with the service chiefs and accepted their opinion that the award is at the appropriate level. “Since Sept. 11, 2001, technological advancements have, in some cases dramatically changed how we conduct and support combat and other military operations. Accordingly the [Distinguished Warfare Medal] award criteria intentionally does not include a geographic limitation on the award, as it is intended for use as a means to recognize all servicemembers who meet the criteria, regardless of the domain used or the member’s physical location,” Hagel wrote.

The award is meant to reward a single extraordinary act that affects combat, Hagel wrote. “It recognizes a specific type of contribution that is vital to the defense of our nation. It in no way degrades or minimizes our nation’s other important awards or the tremendous sacrifices of our men and women who earn these prestigious recognitions,” he wrote. Other noncombat medals already rank higher than the Bronze Star, which usually recognizes valor, he pointed out. The Medal of Honor, Service Crosses and Silver Star, which are awarded solely for heroism in combat, remain higher in prestige than the new warfare medal, Hagel noted.

The decision created a firestorm among veterans groups and on the Internet. American Legion National Commander James Koutz told his membership after its introduction that a new honor for servicemembers serving safely from afar “should not outrank awards for troops serving in harm’s way.” Officials from the VFW broached the issue in their meeting with President Barack Obama this week, eliciting a promise from the commander-in-chief that he would review the issue. Organizers at VoteVets.org have collected more than 5,000 responses to the medal — most complaining about its position above the Bronze Star — and that they intended to petition Hagel, a former enlisted soldier and a Purple Heart recipient, for a change.

Hagel stands by ranking of drone medal - News - Stripes

See also:

Korean War chaplain to be awarded Medal of Honor
March 11, 2013 WASHINGTON — The White House says President Barack Obama will award a posthumous Medal of Honor to a Korean War Army chaplain credited with ministering and providing medical assistance to fellow soldiers under heavy fire during combat operations at Unsan, Korea.

The award ceremony for Capt. Emil J. Kapaun is scheduled for April 11. Members of Kapaun's family will attend.

Father Emil Kapaun shows his pipe, which was shot out of his mouth by a sniper during the Korean War.

The White House says Kapaun, a Roman Catholic priest from Kansas, exhibited "extraordinary heroism" while serving with the 3d Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division during a battle with communist forces in 1950. Kapaun stayed behind to help the wounded even though he knew he would be captured.

Kapaun died at the prisoner of war camp hospital seven months after he was captured by the Chinese in 1950.

http://www.stripes.com/news/us/korean-war-chaplain-to-be-awarded-medal-of-honor-1.211346

 

[waltky]

Hagel takin' a second look at it...

Hagel ordering review of new drone medal ranking
March 12th, 2013 - In an about-face, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has decided to review the criteria of a recently created "drone award" that ranked achievements in related warfare and other modern combat skills above the most noted recognition for bravery on the battlefield.

The Distinguished Warfare Medal, which was approved last month by Hagel's predecessor, Leon Panetta, recognizes "extraordinary direct impacts on combat operations." But the honor denotes that the action is not bound by a "geographic limitation," meaning drone operators could be eligible. Some lawmakers expressed concern the medal would be placed above those for battlefield valor, including the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.

Pentagon spokesman George Little said production of the medal had been halted so Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey can conduct the review. He is expected to present his findings in 30 days. "Secretary Hagel consulted with the chairman, the joint chiefs, and the service secretaries, and knows the decision to establish the medal was carefully and thoroughly analyzed within the Department of Defense," Little said at a media briefing. "That being said, in light of concerns about the medal's place within the order of precedence, the secretary will work with the senior leadership to review the order of precedence and associated matters," he added.

Little said Panetta, who originally approved the award, had been advised of the review, but that he wasn't sure if he and Hagel had spoken directly.
Panetta retired last month after serving as Pentagon chief since 2011. Earlier Tuesday, Oklahoma's James Inhofe, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, told CNN that he was informed by the Pentagon on Monday night about the decision to review the medal. Hagel had supported the award in a letter to other senators this week, saying it was intended to recognize "extraordinary achievement" in acts not involving valor but "directly impacting combat operations and as a result saving lives on the battlefield."

Hagel wrote "it should not be viewed as detracting from previously created medals, especially the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart." Inhofe and Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin, a Michigan Democrat, reached out to Hagel to express their thoughts. Little said Hagel, a recipient of two Purple Hearts while a soldier in Vietnam, "believes it's prudent to take into account those concerns."

Source

 

[Bill Angel]

New medal for modern warfare sparks strong reaction - News - Stripes

Critics also have derided the medal as redundant, given that awards for technical expertise and/or meritorious service outside war zones exist in the array of medals the services already offer. Yet some see merit in the idea, questioning the current definition of “war zone"

I served in the Navy back in 1970-1973, stationed in the San Francisco bay area. For my contributions of a technical nature related to the gathering of signals intelligence from Soviet submarines in the Pacific Ocean I received the Navy Achievement Medal which is awarded for "Meritorious service or achievement in either combat or noncombat situations based on sustained performance or specific achievement of a superlative nature..."
Here is what the description says about the Purple Heart : "Being wounded or killed in any action against an enemy of the United States or as a result of an act of any such enemy or opposing armed forces"
The contentious issue seems to be whether a medal awarded to military personnel involved in drone operations for superlative performance should rank higher than the medal awarded to service personnel whose distinction is simply that they were wounded or killed in action.

 

[SFC Ollie]

American Legion has a little bit of punch still in Washington.......

Legion supports new look at ?Drone Medal? | The American Legion

 

[longknife]

I think this medal should be on a par with other commendation medals used to acknowledge excellent or outstanding service.

It has no business outranking medals for bravery or heroism.

Ex Personnel Sergeant

 

[Oldguy]

It looks like Veteran's were heard about this. They've canceled it in favor of some sort of attachment to an existing medal.

Defense Dept. says cyberwarriors won't have their own medal after all - UPI.com

 

[SFC Ollie]

One has to now wonder which medals this distinguishing devise can be attached to....

 

[waltky]

Distinguished Warfare Medal downgraded...

Pentagon to downgrade award for drone operators
April 15th, 2013 - An award for drone operators that drew an angry response from lawmakers was downgraded to a lesser distinction Monday by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel.

The Distinguished Warfare Medal, which was approved last month by Hagel's predecessor, Leon Panetta, was to recognize "extraordinary direct impacts on combat operations." But the honor denotes that the action is not bound by a "geographic limitation," meaning operators on unmanned drones would have been eligible.

Some lawmakers expressed concern the medal would be placed above those for battlefield valor, including the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. In March, the production of the medal was halted so Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey could conduct a review. "The Joint Chiefs of Staff, with the concurrence of the service secretaries, have recommended the creation of a new distinguishing device that can be affixed to existing medals to recognize the extraordinary actions of this small number of men and women," Hagel said Monday. "I agree with the Joint Chiefs' findings, and have directed the creation of a distinguishing device instead of a separate medal."

The exact nature of the distinction remained unclear Monday – Hagel said he was directing service secretaries and veterans' organizations to define the parameters for eligibility for the award. Those details will come in the next 90 days, Hagel said. "The service men and women, who operate and support our remotely piloted aircraft, operate in cyber, and others are critical to our military's mission of safeguarding the nation," Hagel wrote. "I again want to thank my predecessor, Leon Panetta, for raising the need to ensure that these men and women are recognized for their contributions."

Pentagon to downgrade award for drone operators ? CNN Security Clearance - CNN.com Blogs