We’ve all commented on the new BS medal for drone drivers…
Now a different voice has spoken up, and “I” think this will get some attention!
The creation of the new medal honoring unmanned vehicle pilots and cyber troops, “is a telling and sad commentary on the judgment of those who are responsible for the creation and approval of this award,” Jack Jacobs, Medal of Honor recipient and Vietnam veteran, told USNI News on Wednesday.
/snip/
“The very name of the decoration is ludicrous. ‘Distinguished’ implies a level of admiration that can’t possibly be reached in the prosaic act of piloting a drone,” Jacobs said.
Full article HERE at USNI website. Hopefully Hagel will listen and dump the medal in its entirety… Sigh…
Concur!
I have a son who is a computer science and engineering major who considers himself a “gamer”. He could surely win one of these medals with his gaming skills, but that is not an act of valor. Maybe it’s a way the powers that be can salve the guilty conscience of the killer pilots. PTSD, you know. Karma’s a #*&@!
I feel about the medal for drone drivers the same way i feel about Gabby Giffords getting a ship named after her…
Sadly, I don’t believe that anyone in the obama administration will listen to what the troops in uniform say, no matter how distinguished they are.
What will be interesting is to see who has more “Pull” with the Anointed One, Hagel or “Mr. Drone Strike Brennan.” If this STAYS, then we know that Hagel will regret taking the Job, since he is now Subordinate to the CIA. We shall see.
I wouldn’t say remote controlling a drone with distinction is impossible(ie: excelling at it), but there’s fuck all valor involved, and I’d say it’s hardly worth a medal unless it involves either saving soldiers at the front through good observation and clever use, or if the drone control center is actually under fire.
I have a Purple Heart for watching Saving Private Ryan. I got popcorn salt in my paper cut.
Silly me, I though that was what a Commendation Medal was for.
I had a Chief who gave out awards sparingly. His thought was that if you’re employed as a cop (or soldier) doing risky things was in the job description and expected. Rewards were for actions above and beyond. The the DOD is even considering this medal and it’s ranking on the award structure is indeed telling. When everyone is special no one is.
Rev- Yep!
Opus- It’s because they are claiming PTSD… sigh
JUGM- Yeah…
Tim- I ‘hope’ that they DO listen…
Les- We all know Hagel is nothing but a RINO fall guy…
Mikael- Excellent point!
Grand- In this day and age, probably… sigh
WSF- Yep
Six- EXCELLENT point!
As I have written elsewhere, when I think about it, coming out with an “Unmanned Medal” now, when the White House is “Unmanned,” and to have that new medal be signed off by the person who is “Unmanning The White House” is probably apropos and par for the Social Democrat “Shirker Class” course.
I think the first recipient should be Barry, self-decorating himself, “For Distinguished Service Taking Credit For Being The Leader Of Seal Team Six & Taking Out Osama Bin Laden Remotely From His Situation Room In The White House.”
Joe- He’ll probably DO that… sigh