Pentagon Working on New Medals

[jarcher]

June 11, 2004

The Pentagon is ironing out criteria and design of two new campaign medals authorized by Congress to honor servicemembers who have deployed to Iraq (http://www.military.com/Content/MoreContent1/0,,GH_Iraq,00.html) or Afghanistan (http://www.military.com/Content/MoreContent1/0,,GH_Afghanistan,00.html).

if anybody cares or has an opinion. . .
welll what do you think?


http://www.military.com/NewContent/0,13190,SS_061104_Medals,00.html?ESRC=navy.nl

[jarcher]

i was just learning how things work around here,
so dont look down on me

[Njal]

I think that any member of the armed services that has served in a hostile environment deserves recognition for doing so. These people are out there day in and day out under conditions most of us cannot even comprehend in order to protect us. We owe them much more than medals, we owe them our thanks.

Because of the people in our military I sleep well at night, knowing that there are people out there guarding my homeland. I also sleep well knowing that while some actions of our military are unpopular with some, they serve an important purpose. It is truly unfortunate that our media chooses to only cover bad news, and misses stories that really matter.

Nj

[Vlad Tepes III]

Nice Salad! God Bless. :)

Wouldn't it be great if the surviving members of all branches of Service [or the family members of those who perished during the 9/11 attacks received medals] too? :cool:

http://shockeys.com/friends/lastalarm.htm http://freebiefunhouse.homestead.com/files/lastalarm.gif

[alanc]

Personally, I'm proud of my fruit salad
As well you should be. Thanks for putting your butt in harm's way for the rest of us :)


I'm curious, what is this one? My Dad has one that looks just like it...

[kman]

I totally agree with awarding medals to those that deserve them. Unfortunately, I have seen alot of Bronze Stars /w Valor for individuals who never left CONUS. I think the military should get away from the " Blanket Award Policy " that seems to be going around right now. :rolleyes:

[jarcher]

As well you should be. Thanks for putting your butt in harm's way for the rest of us :)


I'm curious, what is this one? My Dad has one that looks just like it...
thats a sharpshooter qualification
the plate hanging from the cross says rifle
when you qualify for a rifle(and gernades)and some others you get one

there are three:
marksman
sharpshooter
expert

you have to qualify for the M-16/M16A1 to get out of basic training and you only have to throw two gernades.

if a person qualifies for a rifle and say a gernade launcher and one is expert and one is marksman they will get two(one for each)
but if they are the same they will get one with two plates hanging

[kman]

I went over my 3 minute time limit to edit.....

I sometimes think someone in the Pentagon is trying to justify their job by creating redundant medals. For example, my wifes doctor who delivered our first child told me he had recieved two OIF medals. He told me he has never deployed OCONUS let alone to any combat zone. He recieved the National Defense Ribbon that every service man/woman recieves if they server in the military during a time of war/conflict.

[alanc]

Well thanks for that explanation, jarcher :)


You only get to throw two grenades??? Where's the fun in that? :p

[jarcher]

I totally agree with awarding medals to those that deserve them. Unfortunately, I have seen alot of Bronze Stars /w Valor for individuals who never left CONUS. I think the military should get away from the " Blanket Award Policy " that seems to be going around right now. :rolleyes:
thats the point. It's like awarding children just for doing what their supposed to be doing.

[dperino]

Most of the people who stand on the wall between us and those who want to harm us, do it because they believe they are doing the right thing. They are putting themselves in harms way so we can live without that particular harm. They face daily what some of us deny ever happens. They have to live and die with things that are an abstract idea for most who live in comfort, and have the freedom to complain about the things that the people on the wall are out there dying for.

Thank God for those who do what they think is right,, thank God for those who protect us and our freedoms. Medals are given by the government who sends them to do this for us. I think that what they would appreciate more, is if we would appreciate what they are doing for us.

Can you imagine how you would feel if you put the most precious things in your life at incredible risk, (life, family, etc.) to save a stranger, then that stranger complained that the things you had to do to save him/her offended thier sense of nirvana??? Jesus. Folks,, that is what is going on right here,, right now.

I don't usually even talk to ANYBODY about things like this. Haven't for many years. I have my reasons,, Nuff said.

[Shiver Me Timbers]

I have two paintings and stamped on the back it is the words," Handmade and Sold by Unemployed Returned Soldiers." I don't know the story behind them, or how old they are, but it says to me that soldiers do their duty, and when they return home they are not guaranteed anything. I think a medal is only a small token for what they do.