Posted on May 1, 2014
Is it just doing your job or extraordinary actions?
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Just read in the Army Times about a SSG who undoubtably saved a Soldiers life by tossing a mis-thrown live grenade from a pit. The SSG is now being considered for the Soldier's Medal. Personally I think it is well deserved.
However, I others I know have replied that this is just part of the job. Or, was he supposed to just stand there and let it kill the kid that threw it?
Wondering what your thoughts are about when it stops being "just your job" and becomes something extraordinary.
http://mobile.armytimes.com/article/20140430/NEWS/304300063
However, I others I know have replied that this is just part of the job. Or, was he supposed to just stand there and let it kill the kid that threw it?
Wondering what your thoughts are about when it stops being "just your job" and becomes something extraordinary.
http://mobile.armytimes.com/article/20140430/NEWS/304300063
Posted in these groups: 
Military Life
Awards
Military Life Awards
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
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A life was saved in duty and while not in combat it rises to the level of heroism in any case.
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There is doing your job, and then there is risking your life to save the lives of others in the process of "doing your job".
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MAJ (Join to see)
This. The medical branches of the Army save more lives than anyone - but they get to do that (with the exception of combat medics) within the wire or at a Role 4-5. Big difference between a doc "saving a life" in the Role 3 and a soldier picking up and discarding a live grenade or a combat medic providing care under fire. Not to discount the amazing work done by our docs, but I can tell you from experience that "saving a life" in the trauma bay is a whole lot different than applying a tourniquet during active combat or doing something as heroic as picking up a live explosive.
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I read the article. From my interpretation, he chased after the grenade, no doubt stepping over the trainee who froze, in the very confining space of a grenade pit, when he had the opportunity to abandon the pit and save himself. Yes, he was just doing his job, and yes, he deserves recognition for it.
As an aside, let’s give a point for effort to the kid that got back on his feet and accomplished his second grenade throw. That took some guts, too.
Two quotes come to mind:
"Heroes are victims of circumstance. In that moment, they long to be honest cowards." - Umberto Eco
"That and fifty cents might get you a soda." - a friend of my dad's, when I asked him about his Silver Star
As an aside, let’s give a point for effort to the kid that got back on his feet and accomplished his second grenade throw. That took some guts, too.
Two quotes come to mind:
"Heroes are victims of circumstance. In that moment, they long to be honest cowards." - Umberto Eco
"That and fifty cents might get you a soda." - a friend of my dad's, when I asked him about his Silver Star
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