Posted on 02/13/2013 1:14:39 PM PST by Mad Dawgg
WASHINGTON (AP) — They fight the war from computer consoles and video screens.
But the troops that launch the drone strikes and direct the cyberattacks that can kill or disable an enemy may never set foot in the combat zone. Now their battlefield contributions may be recognized.
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced Wednesday that for the first time the Pentagon is creating a medal that can be awarded to troops who have a direct impact on combat operations, but do it from afar.
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
The Legion of Merit (LOM) is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.
I know, I know, this would make field grade and above officers mad,hmmm on second thought people might think they really did something.
Ridiculous. It does take skill, and there is a shoot-don’t shoot element to it, but combat intimates that you’ve placed yourself in harm’s way. This ain’t that.
Colonel, USAF
Senior REMF
“...will be rated Higher than Bronze...”
Give them a Navy/Army/Air Force Achievement Medal. That’s plenty high enough.
It was good enough for spending 11 days in the tunnels on the Batangan Peninsula and capturing 41 VC.
It ought to suffice for sitting in a chair and playing video games or writing code.
The people shot and injured or killed in Fort worth cannot even get a Purple Heart, but they are going to give Computer geeks a medal.
This is a new America,
That is their plan. Incrementally destroying the military and the country.
Paper cuts, carpal tunnel, coffee stains...oh the horror.
not to mention the brutal commute to base.
Finally, keyboard warriors will be honored.
Sorry, that symbol already represents the b(l)ooming underground economy.
This group needs an appropriate shoulder patch as well
“Chairborne Ranger”
If there were no janitors at the Pentagon generals couldn’t relieve themselves in comfort while they wage war. Where is the medal for meritorious toilet scrubbing?
Don’t know if you’ve served, but let me tell you, there are a lot of thankless jobs in the military. And while the jobs may be thankless, the folks that perform them are every bit as dedicated and mission critical as the task of the guy pulling a trigger with the enemy in his sights.
I’m not even sure Pentagon janitors are in the miilitary. And no, not every military job is “mission critical,” let alone as critical as the men in the field. The military is so damn big; much of ot has nothing whatsoever to do with combat, and the staff might as well be in the Department of Education. Armies have their Big Government, pencil pushing make-work, too.
Certainly not everyone is equally dedicated. Pretending they are is an insult to the ones who actually are dedicated. Even among janitors there are more and less dedicated workers.
I'm just a cook
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