? Very true. I have a friend flying RPAs out of Creech who was a F-15 jock and he says after a mission he is as tense as he was climbing out of the cockpit. They really concentrate on the mission.

We have to keep in mind that unlike a video game, when that drone pilot pulls the trigger, real people die and he or she has to think about that as they lay down to sleep.

Regarding a medal for pilots “flying” a drone by remote control, reluctantly I guess there isn’t really any reason why some sort of recognition can’t be given. In reality it’s like playing a video game.  I’m guessing you can get up and go to the rest room while someone else takes over.

"Piloting" skill I guess deserves some  minor recognition, but not much [I speak as a pilot].   (Almost any damned fool can be taught to fly, i know--I've met a lot of them.)

On the other hand civilian pilots can actually log time with some simulators, so I sort of guess it’s all right to recognize drone operators [operators not pilots].  The awards look good on their AF Reserve uniforms.

There are a number of what I would consider low level awards:

Army Reserve Overseas Training Ribbon

Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon

…and recognition for operating a drone, in my estimation, should probably fall in this category.

Surely participating far from the site of hostilities should not rank anywhere near those awards for activities taking part in a combat zone.  To give high value recognition to drone operator decorations serves to diminish the rightful stature of those earned in a combat zone and/or at risk of life and limb.  An award for just showing up in a safe place and operating a drone puts us on the slippery slope of heading in the direction of lots of low level and almost meaningless awards, medals and ribbons like those shown in the attachment picturing North Korean Generals.  Those guys must get a decoration for hitting the pot in the men's room!

Steve

Forrest,

Let's keep the Army "pure."  Give them the Air Force Commendation Medal.  I agree that the PTSD is likely very different for those sitting in Nevada.  I just meant to say that it could exist.  And, I agree that the "inflation" factor should also be considered.  (However, I doubt if anyone involved is.)  My last military assignment between leaving AFVN and retirement was with MAAG-Taiwan.  For doing what was to me just a rather ordinary job designed to keep O-6s and generals happy, I ended up with a Meritorious Service Medal.  One reason was probably because I already had a Bronze Star?  And, again, I would have been happy with a Joint Service Commendation Medal.

Jim

Jim,

I was awarded the JSCM before leaving DaNang.  I am very proud of receiving it.  It is also one of the better looking medals.

John

SP5 , USA

Da Nang 72/73

They already have a medal for these people ------ it's called the Army Commendation Medal. 

When drone operators die due to rocket attacks, when they pull their turn on the perimeter, when one gets wounded by an IED, when seven of them are made POWs when their compound is over run, when they spend a tour living in the midst of the enemy...

Yes, moral guilt can be a big part of PTSD and can affect an operator sitting in an office thousands of miles away from the AO, but the fact remains that the biggest danger to these warriors comes from the freeway system and fast food, not a foreign national.

This award, even in the case where the operator is in a compound in a host country, states that his valor exceeds that of grunts, convoy operators, interpreters, medics, S/G 5 folks, psy ops.  It elevates the drone operator not in plane above the pilots flying ALO, or refuelers, or gunships and slicks, or RECON, or cargo missions in and out of runways that require flare drops when landing and taking off.  It also will lead to an instantaneous uptick in the number of Silver Stars and DSCs awarded to those who do fly in harm's way.

Forrest

Why not take this line of thinking  to its logical conclusion?

If the drone gets a hole in the wing or something of that sort, then give the operator a Purple Heart.  It is blown to smithereens or obvious didn't survey the crash, then immediately bury the operator in Arlington.  (Dead or alive, being optional!)

But, on a more serious note.  I imagine that the psychological impact of pressing a button while sitting at a computer console safely in Nevada and thereby killing anywhere from one to a dozen or more is not the same impact one has when shooting face to face and knowing full well that "if you don't kill him first, he is going to try to kill me."  Therefore, I agree that perhaps a medal of some kind is in order.  However, I don't agree with putting it above the Bronze Star for Valor.  Above the Bronze Star for Merit (such as the one I received)--then maybe.  But, how do you split the Bronze Star?  Perhaps ask King Solomon?

Jim

Just wondering?  Since the drone drivers have a very high ranking medal now, what would happen if the drone gets captured by the enemy?  Will they be awarded POW recognition as well?

Bob

That was really funny!

That was Very Creative!

Bob

My father received the Joint Service Commendation Medal for his service with AFVN. He was especially proud of that award.

Embarrassingly enough, I got the Bronze Star for Merit for my year with AFVN.  I still don't really understand why.  Actually, I was hoping for the Joint Service Commendation Medal.  I over 8 years in joint service units (Japan, Vietnam and Taiwan) and never even got a hint of one.

Maybe I can get one for my work on the new AFVN Web site?

Jim W

But always in a combat zone.  Not as a REMF in Las Vegas.

Best Regards,

Steve

Now that you mention it, Bob, I recall that any officer serving with the naval inshore operations units received a Bronze Star just for breathing longer than two minutes while chewing gum.  PBR, SWIFT, STAB, Mikes, or support units, every officer left with his little box.  The joke was that officers got the Bronze Star because they weren’t eligible for the Good Conduct Medal.

Ken