Hagel Eliminates Distinguished Warfare Medal

[douglas9]

WASHINGTON, April 15, 2013 – Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has eliminated the Distinguished Warfare Medal, DOD officials announced today.

Instead, the military will recognize service members who directly affect combat operations without being present through distinguishing devices that will be affixed to already existing awards.

Soon after being sworn in as defense secretary Feb. 27, 2013, Hagel asked Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to lead a review of the medal.

“The Joint Chiefs of Staff, with the concurrence of the service secretaries, have recommended the creation of a new distinguishing device that can be affixed to existing medals to recognize the extraordinary actions of this small number of men and women,” Hagel said in a written release.

http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=119778

[daybranch]

1. Hagel smart

very smart

[JayhawkSD]

2. I approve of the move, but...

It means they will be awarding combat medals to non-combat operatives, albeit with "asterisks" attached to them.

"What does that little thing on your Bronze Star mean, Daddy?"
"It means I got the medal for flying a desk in Las Vegas."

Oh, please.