After Protests, Military May Nix Proposed Drone Warfare Medal

Posted on by

From U.S. Department of Defense

By Amaani Lyle
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 12, 2013 – In light of recent discussions concerning the new Distinguished Warfare Medal and its order of precedence relative to other military decorations, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has ordered a review of the award, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said here today.

Little said Hagel directed Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to conduct the review and expects to make a decision about the medal’s fate after assessing the findings.

“Secretary Hagel consulted with the chairman, the Joint Chiefs and the service secretaries and knows that the decision to establish the medal was carefully and thoroughly analyzed within the Department of Defense,” Little said.

Opponents of the medal question the hierarchy of technology-driven warfare such as unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned underwater vehicles, missile defense and cyber capabilities, as the operators may not be anywhere near a combat zone.

“Production of the medal has stopped,” Little said, adding that there are so far no nominations for it, allowing time to make a final decision.

Little noted that the secretary has a long history of involvement and membership with veteran service organizations, including a stint as head of the USO.

“He’s heard their concerns, he’s heard the concerns of others, and he believes that it’s prudent to take into account those concerns and conduct this review,” Little said. “His style as a leader is to be [decisive] and also to be a ready listener.”

One thought on “After Protests, Military May Nix Proposed Drone Warfare Medal”

  1. Well, THAT’S good. I grant you, I worry it might just be a smokescreen to pacify us, but hey, for now, something you’ve said or done has helped.

    Good on you.

    Personally, I’ve always assumed medals are symbolic. But warfare isn’t and if you aren’t in the thick of it, if you aren’t in any real ‘danger’…where is the bravery in that? Next thing you know they’ll be giving medals to the people who donate money to war. Just like I was reading recently about a donor to a school getting a building changed to his name.

    It’s always about money, isn’t it? Spend some of that medal money on the vets, why don’t you? If anyone deserves a medal it’s a vet who has to come back to THIS world.

    Thanks for posting.

    Continued life and happiness to you.

    Heather
    wordwan

Comments are closed.