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DoD Award To Recognize Drone Operators (securityweek.com)
wiredmikey writes: According to a Pentagon memo due out today, the US military will create a new way to recognize drone operators and other service members who contribute to America's fighting efforts from afar. The military is set to introduce a new "R" designation — known as a "device" — that can be attached to medals given to drone operators and other non-combat troops, such as cyber warriors who hack enemy networks. Former defense secretary Chuck Hagel nixed a proposed new combat medal for US troops who launch drone strikes or cyber attacks, after a torrent of criticism from veterans and lawmakers. Drone pilots have complained of low morale, long hours and of the psychological impacts stemming from killing people remotely.
For what?
Aren't military medals supposed to be for noble things like bravery, heroism, or honour? What's honourable about taking out an opponent from so far away that the risk to yourself is nonexistent?
File under 'M' for 'Manic ranting'
the psychological impacts stemming from killing people remotely
Also called conscience, but no worries... a little piece of decorative metal will make it so worth it!
-1, Too Many Layers Of Abstraction
No metals, just points for targets and efficiency.
09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B - D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0 45 5F E1 04 22 CA 29 C4 93 3F 95 05 2B 79 2A B2
Just fucking NO!
Many in my family have received medals, Gold, Bronze, Silver Stars to name those I remember clearly, there where others, over the courses of their military careers. In each case it was because they put there lives on the line for their country. On more than one occasion my father almost didn't come back from his combat postings. When I was a child he showed me each medal and told me the story of why it was given to him, and the names of the people who didn't come back from those missions. Giving a combat medal to someone who hasn't actually faced the real possibility of death in combat just feels like the DoD is spitting in the face of every service person who ever put they're lives on the line for their country.
How the fuck does a joystick jocky sitting in a cozy air conditioned room and going home to a safe warm bed in the USA qualify for a combat medal??
How about they start issuing medals to gamers who play Call of Duty while there at it? It as about the same risk level.
I acknowledge that the drone pilots do face certain job related stress factors but if they want to just say "I can't take it" and walk away in the middle of a mission they can do it if the want to. You don't get that option in a real battle field.
If the DoD wants to give the drone pilots and other non combat personnel recognition then print out some nice looking frame-able certificate, give them some time off and call it done, but do not call it a "combat medal"
Just remembered the there was no "Gold Star" medal for the US Army. You get one of those if your in the family of a soldier who died in the line of duty. My dad told me about them and I had friends who wore them.
Drone pilots have complained of low morale, long hours and of the psychological impacts stemming from killing people remotely.
Yes, they should be required to be up close and personal before qualifying for medal. I'd say 72hrs straight hours in the field without sleep and personally watching the life fade out of their opponents eyes as they plunge their dagger deep into them should be the minimum for any medal to be earned.
Time is what keeps everything from happening all at once.
Like, say, Generals?
We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
You have to make the reward fit the audience you're dealing with. They have to understand and value what they get.
20 years ago I would have said what you need is a high score board. But today, well, probably giving them some purple uniform pieces with over-the-top shoulder parts would be more fitting.
We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
These people are the ultimate REMF.
They are obviously *waay* to the rear and - I suppose owing to faulty or outdated intelligence - quite a few of their targets turned out to be families. Some will have been families of terrorists, others not even that. From what I read, drone attacks have a similar effect in radicalising people in the surrounding areas as suicide bombers do. That includes the 911 crew.
Do REMFs normally get medals above and beyond those for "I was involved in that campaign"?
Mielipiteet omiani - Opinions personal, facts suspect.
Achievement unlocked, "Bloody Mess: Destroy a house of worship with at least a 2:1 combatant:civilian ratio"
Oh and hats, we should have hats....
Silence is a state of mime.
That cup of coffee kept that marine alert long enough to dodge that IED!
Entitles the bearer to a half-off discount on La-Z-Boy purchases for the rest of their lives.
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It's funny that you say that. I ended up transferring to be a chaser/escort but my MOS 3531 and that was the only time I saw combat. (You might want to search to find out what that MOS is.)
"So long and thanks for all the fish."
It's as old as military service. Soldiers will do amazing things with just a little recognition. It long predates the DOD. Napoleon supposedly said "Give me enough ribbon and I can conquer the world!"
Leaders can't just give more pay or benefits, but they can give awards as recognition and those awards do help towards promotions and thus more pay.
I'm too lazy to compose a creative sig.
Drone operators don't kill for awards. They kill for high score credits.