It seems to me that in years past “sniper” was a pejorative term. The veterans that I knew of past wars spoke of snipers with disgust. Would “sharpshooter” be better? No doubt the nature of war has changed, and those in the line of fire may see things differently. War will never be clean. At least we don’t “sack” cities anymore, and that used to be a major attraction for ground troops centuries ago.
One theory presented about this medal is based on the psychological consequences for the drone operator. Unlike the sniper/sharpshooter who takes out a single threat with a single bullet, the missiles fired by the drone do wide spread damage and many civilians, including women and children, have suffered. In urban areas, casualties include people sitting peacefully in homes suddenly shocked by a blast targeted on a car outside of homes and businesses. These actions have consequences for a person of conscience^. In the movie “The Peacemaker”, a sharpshooter is ordered to take out a man known to be carrying a nuclear bomb. A child, sitting on the shoulders of her father, is between the shooter and the target and the shooter refuses to take the shot. The emotion conveyed by the actor portraying the shooter must pale in comparison to a father/brother/son caught in that same situation on an actual battlefield. The medal is meant to recognize what the man at the trigger faces. I guess the ceremony makes giving the orders easier.But I wonder, how many of the suicides among our military neighbors is over executing such orders^.Of my relatives who have been decorated for service in battle, none displayed their medals or spoke of them. And under the glare of news cameras, no soldier I’ve seen has ever accepted the remotest possibility they had done anything extraordinary and stated they were just doing their jobs. All wished they could have done more for those who gave all.Respectfully,C.
While drone operators and cyber warriors are not putting themselves in harms way, as I did during Desert Storm, they still deserve recognition for their contributions.
rvald said, “If you don’t approve of drones, then volunteer for war service…Drones take some lives but carpet bombing takes many more.”*Gee, I didn’t realize those were our only choices. (As the old saying goes, those with hammers think every problem is a nail.)
The new medal is reported to be between the bronze and silver stars in “merit”. I have a problem with that. At the same time, a bronze WIThOUT “V device”, was granted to almost every officer in ‘Nam, for getting out of bed two days in a row on time. Enlisted had to do a lot more, as they weren’t building “careers”. That “V device” makes all the difference, as that “valor” means the recipient actually had to do something requiring courage, or being in the wrong place at the right time.
Piloting a drone is in no way comparable to being a guy in the field doing “long rifle work”. While there is psychological risk, the physical, and far greater psychological risk, in nothing by comparison. Talk to some B-52 pilots, and get a better comparison
Seems rather insulting to the members of our military who have gone through the same basic training, and additional training to operate billion dollar equipment and killing targets over seas.
wolfhoundblues1 about 11 years ago
The new XBOX or Play Station medal
emptc12 about 11 years ago
It seems to me that in years past “sniper” was a pejorative term. The veterans that I knew of past wars spoke of snipers with disgust. Would “sharpshooter” be better? No doubt the nature of war has changed, and those in the line of fire may see things differently. War will never be clean. At least we don’t “sack” cities anymore, and that used to be a major attraction for ground troops centuries ago.
Chillbilly about 11 years ago
The Pandora’s Box is opened. We will never be able to claim any high ground when Mexican drug gangs or Canadian intelligence starts droning us.
Stormrider2112 about 11 years ago
We should start with the pro-war right.
chazandru about 11 years ago
One theory presented about this medal is based on the psychological consequences for the drone operator. Unlike the sniper/sharpshooter who takes out a single threat with a single bullet, the missiles fired by the drone do wide spread damage and many civilians, including women and children, have suffered. In urban areas, casualties include people sitting peacefully in homes suddenly shocked by a blast targeted on a car outside of homes and businesses. These actions have consequences for a person of conscience^. In the movie “The Peacemaker”, a sharpshooter is ordered to take out a man known to be carrying a nuclear bomb. A child, sitting on the shoulders of her father, is between the shooter and the target and the shooter refuses to take the shot. The emotion conveyed by the actor portraying the shooter must pale in comparison to a father/brother/son caught in that same situation on an actual battlefield. The medal is meant to recognize what the man at the trigger faces. I guess the ceremony makes giving the orders easier.But I wonder, how many of the suicides among our military neighbors is over executing such orders^.Of my relatives who have been decorated for service in battle, none displayed their medals or spoke of them. And under the glare of news cameras, no soldier I’ve seen has ever accepted the remotest possibility they had done anything extraordinary and stated they were just doing their jobs. All wished they could have done more for those who gave all.Respectfully,C.
pirate227 about 11 years ago
While drone operators and cyber warriors are not putting themselves in harms way, as I did during Desert Storm, they still deserve recognition for their contributions.
Marty Z about 11 years ago
rvald said, “If you don’t approve of drones, then volunteer for war service…Drones take some lives but carpet bombing takes many more.”*Gee, I didn’t realize those were our only choices. (As the old saying goes, those with hammers think every problem is a nail.)
Dtroutma about 11 years ago
The new medal is reported to be between the bronze and silver stars in “merit”. I have a problem with that. At the same time, a bronze WIThOUT “V device”, was granted to almost every officer in ‘Nam, for getting out of bed two days in a row on time. Enlisted had to do a lot more, as they weren’t building “careers”. That “V device” makes all the difference, as that “valor” means the recipient actually had to do something requiring courage, or being in the wrong place at the right time.
Piloting a drone is in no way comparable to being a guy in the field doing “long rifle work”. While there is psychological risk, the physical, and far greater psychological risk, in nothing by comparison. Talk to some B-52 pilots, and get a better comparison
Blairtim42 Premium Member about 11 years ago
Seems rather insulting to the members of our military who have gone through the same basic training, and additional training to operate billion dollar equipment and killing targets over seas.