General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBravery and drone pilots
The effort to depict drone warfare as some sort of courageous and noble act is intensifying:
The Pentagon is considering awarding a Distinguished Warfare Medal to drone pilots who work on military bases often far removed from the battlefield. . . .
[Army Institute of Heraldry chief Charles] Mugno said most combat decorations require boots on the ground in a combat zone, but he noted that emerging technologies such as drones and cyber combat missions are now handled by troops far removed from combat.
The Pentagon has not formally endorsed the medal, but Mugnos institute has completed six alternate designs for commission approval. . . .
The proposed medal would rank between the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Soldiers Medal for exceptional conduct outside a combat zone.
Read more: http://www.salon.com/2012/07/10/bravery_and_drone_pilots/
Does anyone else think it's a sign of bravery to operate drones which violate other countries's airspaces and remorselessly slaughter civilians and terrorism "suspects" without a trial whatsoever?
Astrad
(466 posts)requires some level of personal risk. I don't see how they could justify this but I suspect they'll find a way.
HereSince1628
(36,063 posts)got it for meritorious service. When bronze stars were given for valor they were associated with some sort of heroicism.
Guys in military intelligence had rather less opportunity (but certainly more than none) to earn a bronze star for valor.
PufPuf23
(8,776 posts)backscatter712
(26,355 posts)They're flying a computer console in some Air Force base in Nevada - if the drone gets shot down, for them, they just get a chewing out by the general, then they insert another quarter.
enough
(13,259 posts)Not bravery, for sure, but some strange kind of intimacy. Still, doing what they're told, as always.
Dawson Leery
(19,348 posts)Again: NO DRONE OPERATOR IS BRAVE.
If you are operating a drone, you are a coward.
SidDithers
(44,228 posts)Sid
The River
(2,615 posts)Purple Hearts for carpel tunnel syndrome??
It certainly doesn't rate a spot between the DFC and Soldiers Medal.
If anything, it should be a "ribbon only" award.
lumberjack_jeff
(33,224 posts)In the US, I'd say probably yes.
panader0
(25,816 posts)He flew 50 missions over Germany, North Africa and Italy.
To award these drone "pilots" a medal is hard to understand...