The USAF Lobby strikes again

Wow- the valor that those cyber sortawarriors displayed in making their way thru crowded Las Vegas parking lots- often when the sun is down- in order to log their grueling hours in the cyber cockpit facing down a virtual threat to their avatar.
That's literally- jaw droppingly unbelievable even for the Air Force. What a monumental crock:thumbdown:
...others dubbed the medal the ‘‘Geek Cross’’ and speculated that young video-gamers may soon get Purple Hearts for their animated wounds.
 
Wow- the valor that those cyber sortawarriors displayed in making their way thru crowded Las Vegas parking lots- often when the sun is down- in order to log their grueling hours in the cyber cockpit facing down a virtual threat to their avatar.
That's literally- jaw droppingly unbelievable even for the Air Force. What a monumental crock:thumbdown:

I find nothing to be unbelievable for the Air Force anymore.
 
I'd rather have them receive a below-the-line medal. No risk? No reward.

I understand your point now, and agree. This type of award smells of careerism...I think probably the main reason that it came into effect is to help promote the RPA pilots when they go to promotion boards against actual aviators...
 
This is rumored to be a photo of the First winner of this highly coveted medal getting his award in front of his airframe
images
 
An ARCOM or AAM just isn't cutting it anymore?

Everyone gets a trophy...
 
I need to remind myself not to be drinking milk when you guys get on a roll. Now I have to clean my keyboard.
 
Leon Panetta Sure seems to have a Bucket List he's trying to empty before he leaves.
 
I'm down for guys getting recognized for exceptional actions that make an appreciable difference in the war effort.
But higher than a Bronze Star and considered a combat decoration? When I keep on hearing stories of LCpls and PFCs no-kidding putting their ass on the line and getting put up for (at best) a Navy Com/NAM with V?
 
I need to remind myself not to be drinking milk when you guys get on a roll. Now I have to clean my keyboard.

Parent Delahanty,
You somehow manage to paint such a vivid picture, yet do it with a sparsity of words. I have visions of the milk coming out your nose. I wonder if the guys who will be getting these medals do the same thing at their keyboards?
 
A good indicator that this is absurd is the absolute lack of anyone- any where- commenting in favor of this. Even the most dyed-the-wool, future of warfare, blue suit fanatics have refrained from trying publicly to put lipstick on this pig. It's offensive and it is corrosive to the US military to the n'th degree because it devalues the very heroism that military personnel have demonstrated. The BSM for example can be either a medal for heroism or achievement, and the latter is pretty routine. But at the very minimum, even the vanilla BSM requires that you are at least theoretically and potentially at risk while performing your job. The BSM w/V (as tpg alludes) is widely viewed and respected as a real medal for valorous action in combat. The people who are awarded it have put their butts deeply and knowingly into harms way- often with fatal or physically life altering consequences for themselves. To create a medal that conflates good hand-eye coordination on a computer screen in Nevada with the sacrifices of people who are actually potentially in the line of fire is beyond shameful.
 
My sentiments are totally in line with the consensus here, having felt the sting personal heroics going unrecognized.

It was 1978. After a totally unprovoked attack on Southern Europe from Egypt, I conceived and executed a pincer move from Western Europe and the Middle East, which lead to the conquest of Africa in three turns. My name should be right there with Charlemagne and Jan Sobieski as Saviors of Christendom.

War is Hell, but Risk is on a whole other level. Especially when your girlfriend is screaming at you to take her to a movie.
 
My sentiments are totally in line with the consensus here, having felt the sting personal heroics going unrecognized.

It was 1978. After a totally unprovoked attack on Southern Europe from Egypt, I conceived and executed a pincer move from Western Europe and the Middle East, which lead to the conquest of Africa in three turns. My name should be right there with Charlemagne and Jan Sobieski as Saviors of Christendom.

War is Hell, but Risk is on a whole other level. Especially when your girlfriend is screaming at you to take her to a movie.

I felt the same sting, January of 2013, as Red forces in Central America were attacked by Purple forces amassed in South America. Luckily Purple was repelled, and three cards were presented, generating six extra troops, driving Purple from South America and creating Red Force rule over the entire western hemisphere.

And for those moves? Did I get a medal? NO! My wife told me to turn down the volume.
 
Why does it have to be a medal? Wouldn't they find more use from a $50 gift card to TGI Fridays?
 
"What Bruno and TPG said!"

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
I think the award is a decent idea, but like others have said they need to rethink where it is ranked among other awards.
 
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