FBD
02-14-2013, 05:12 PM
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2278377/Hardly-risking-life-country-New-medal-drone-operators-dubbed-Geek-Cross-set-higher-honor-Bronze-Star.html
Drone operators to be awarded new Distinguished Warfare Medal that will rank higher than Bronze Star (but they won't have to leave their computer screen to win it)
By David Mccormack and Ap Reporter
PUBLISHED: 20:02 EST, 13 February 2013 | UPDATED: 09:39 EST, 14 February 2013
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The newly announced Distinguished Warfare Medal will be awarded to troops who have a direct impact on combat operations but do it from afar
The newly announced Distinguished Warfare Medal will be awarded to troops who have a direct impact on combat operations but do it from afar
Military personnel who operate drone strikes and fight war from behind computer consoles are to have their battlefield contributions honored after the Pentagon announced the first new combat-related medal to be created in decades.
The new blue, red and white-ribboned Distinguished Warfare Medal will be awarded to individuals for ‘extraordinary achievement’ related to military operations that occurred after Sept. 11, 2001.
Unlike other combat medals, it does not require the recipient risk his or her life to get it and they may never set foot in the combat zone.
The medal has been created to award troops who launch the drone strikes and direct the cyberattacks that can kill or disable an enemy, said Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, who announced the new medal on Wednesday.
‘I've seen firsthand how modern tools, like remotely piloted platforms and cyber systems, have changed the way wars are fought,’ Panetta said.
‘And they've given our men and women the ability to engage the enemy and change the course of battle, even from afar.’
The work they do ‘does contribute to the success of combat operations, particularly when they remove the enemy from the field of battle, even if those actions are physically removed from the fight,’ he said.
Officials said the new medal will be the first combat-related award to be created since the Bronze Star in 1944.
A recognition of the evolving 21st century warfare, the medal will be considered a bit higher in ranking than the Bronze Star, but lower than the Silver Star, defense officials said.
The Bronze Star is the fourth highest combat decoration and rewards meritorious service in battle, while the Silver Star is the third highest combat award given for bravery.
Several other awards, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, are also ranked higher, but are not awarded for combat.
The announcement has received a mixed response. While some acknowledged the contributions of cyber and drone warriors, others have dubbed the medal the ‘Geek Cross’ and speculated that young video-gamers may soon get Purple Hearts for their animated wounds.
Over the last decade of war, remotely piloted Predators and Reapers have become a critical weapon to gather intelligence and conduct airstrikes against terrorists or insurgents around the world.
oh fkit, I cant post the rest of this drivel
Drone operators to be awarded new Distinguished Warfare Medal that will rank higher than Bronze Star (but they won't have to leave their computer screen to win it)
By David Mccormack and Ap Reporter
PUBLISHED: 20:02 EST, 13 February 2013 | UPDATED: 09:39 EST, 14 February 2013
Comments (8)
Share
The newly announced Distinguished Warfare Medal will be awarded to troops who have a direct impact on combat operations but do it from afar
The newly announced Distinguished Warfare Medal will be awarded to troops who have a direct impact on combat operations but do it from afar
Military personnel who operate drone strikes and fight war from behind computer consoles are to have their battlefield contributions honored after the Pentagon announced the first new combat-related medal to be created in decades.
The new blue, red and white-ribboned Distinguished Warfare Medal will be awarded to individuals for ‘extraordinary achievement’ related to military operations that occurred after Sept. 11, 2001.
Unlike other combat medals, it does not require the recipient risk his or her life to get it and they may never set foot in the combat zone.
The medal has been created to award troops who launch the drone strikes and direct the cyberattacks that can kill or disable an enemy, said Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, who announced the new medal on Wednesday.
‘I've seen firsthand how modern tools, like remotely piloted platforms and cyber systems, have changed the way wars are fought,’ Panetta said.
‘And they've given our men and women the ability to engage the enemy and change the course of battle, even from afar.’
The work they do ‘does contribute to the success of combat operations, particularly when they remove the enemy from the field of battle, even if those actions are physically removed from the fight,’ he said.
Officials said the new medal will be the first combat-related award to be created since the Bronze Star in 1944.
A recognition of the evolving 21st century warfare, the medal will be considered a bit higher in ranking than the Bronze Star, but lower than the Silver Star, defense officials said.
The Bronze Star is the fourth highest combat decoration and rewards meritorious service in battle, while the Silver Star is the third highest combat award given for bravery.
Several other awards, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, are also ranked higher, but are not awarded for combat.
The announcement has received a mixed response. While some acknowledged the contributions of cyber and drone warriors, others have dubbed the medal the ‘Geek Cross’ and speculated that young video-gamers may soon get Purple Hearts for their animated wounds.
Over the last decade of war, remotely piloted Predators and Reapers have become a critical weapon to gather intelligence and conduct airstrikes against terrorists or insurgents around the world.
oh fkit, I cant post the rest of this drivel