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http://news.yahoo.com/cowardly-murder-ex-drone-operators-speak-jobs-001824335.html?bcmt= [login to see] 56-7f85d103-2b66-4d2a-8281-e1a30493ef10_0000bb [login to see] [login to see] 0000-f9457db8-4f23-4e58-83af-d819ac1b470b&bcmt_s=u
Drones
15W: Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator
Air Force
150U: Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations Technician
1U0X1: Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Sensor Operator
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 66
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What a load of crap. Murderers who send kids into the street loaded with explosives or plant car bombs timed to kill people shopping for food have NO credibility and no room to criticize us for defending ourselves. The Yahoo story is yet another super-size serving of uninformed left-wing beaver biscuits.
Sincerely,
Hugh
Sincerely,
Hugh
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This BS argument has been going on since the first guy came out with a spear longer than his opponent....
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MAJ Hugh Blanchard
Excellent! It is not supposed to be a fair fight. This is not about some boxing match governed by Marquess of Queensbury rules. We stomp them flat and avoid friendly casualties. That isn't cowardly behavior, it's being smart.
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Every advance in warfare has been called cowardly by the people using the last generation weapons. Unless the drones run away from combat it doesn't really apply does it?
The crossbow is a coward's weapon.”- Jaime Lannister (A Storm of Swords) ”
The crossbow is a coward's weapon.”- Jaime Lannister (A Storm of Swords) ”
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While we're on the subject... Are drone operators combat veterans and should they be eligible for membership in the VFW. Traditionally membership in Veterans of Foreign Wars is limited to those who served in a tactical theater of operations during a period of war (boots on the ground) and not to those that served in strategic theaters. Drone operators today do their job right here in the United States and go home to their families at the end of the day. They do, however, engage weapons with the enemy in the tactical theater. Are they combat veterans?
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SGT (Join to see)
Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth - I disagree. If that is the case, then everyone that has served should be eligeble for VFW. I think that if you have not put your ass on the line, then you are in a different category. You still served with honors, but look at a wounded grunt in the face and say that his service equals someone who telecommutes to the fight.
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Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth
I think I was misunderstood. I think VFW should be reserved for those who have been to the foreign country, either on the ground or in the air. I think that aircrew that are in the combat zone providing direct support putting their life at risk just like the guys on the ground, should be allowed in because they are putting their life on the line at several hundred miles an hour risking life and limb to ensure the guys on the ground can make it home. I know, I lost a pilot friend who was supporting the fight because he came back around to get guys out of trouble who were screaming in the radios for his help...he got them out of trouble and ended up crashing and dying in the process. Tell his wife and kids he wasn't a veteran of a foreign war! You crash a MRAP or a hummer taking cover or run out of gas getting back to base you probably will walk away...you crash an F-16, A-10, or a B-52...game over.
Drone pilots absolutely not qualified for VFW but all others, just because they aren't on the ground in the zone does not mean they aren't risking everything over that combat zone so others can come home as well.
Drone pilots absolutely not qualified for VFW but all others, just because they aren't on the ground in the zone does not mean they aren't risking everything over that combat zone so others can come home as well.
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PFC David Ryba
Another clarification Scott. I served in Germany during the Vietnam War. I served on foreign soil during a time of war. Technically speaking, I am a Veteran of Foreign War, but I do not qualify for membership in the VFW because I served on the wrong foreign soil. Even though the Vietnam War was one of two armed conflicts of the Cold War (the other being Korea) the VFW does not recognize the Vietnam conflict as part of the cold war. As you now there are two theaters of operation in any war. The first being the tactical theater or hot zone and the second being the strategic theater, everywhere else where troops are deployed. VFW only recognizes veterans who served in the tactical theaters as Veterans of Foreign Wars.
An interesting note here. Vietnam Veterans of American considers ALL veterans who served during the Vietnam War as Vietnam Veterans regardless of where they served or what their MOS was.
Go figure???
An interesting note here. Vietnam Veterans of American considers ALL veterans who served during the Vietnam War as Vietnam Veterans regardless of where they served or what their MOS was.
Go figure???
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PFC David Ryba
It doesn't matter to me either, Tom. I've been to some of their meetings in the capacity of CEO for Veterans Media Services. During the course of their meetings they're always winning about not being to attract new members. Perhaps if they accepted more war veterans they might be able to increase their membership a little.
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Since when did it become cowardly to defeat the enemy and keep your people alive. we transitioned from the musket to the Gatling gun and on to the bomb. was nothing cowardly about that , was technology advancing. if we can kill 10 and lose none. that's a giant step for man.
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Cpl Barry Goodson
Sgt. Rinchich,
I will never forget my training in boot camp so many years ago. I came from a family and a culture where one is taught to fight a fair fight; shake hands and move forward as a better person. One of my Drill Instructors during boot camp noticed such commitment in me and pulled me aside during hand-to-hand combat training and told me something I will never forget. He told me that I had to set aside my personal beliefs because I was going to be facing an enemy committed to my death and the death of all fellow Marines. He assured me that my job was commitment to instant success in eliminating that enemy with any tool/weapon available to me at that moment in time. He told me that to do otherwise would empower my enemy with opportunities to overpower me because of the weakness in my offense, which would ultimately endanger other Marines and our cause. Of course, my time in combat reinforced those powerful words from my Drill Instructor.
In closing, I marvel at those in the world who deem success in the elimination of an enemy or enemies through the use of any tool in our arsenal as being an act of cowardice, when in reality it is nothing more than a precise, military strategy. It takes courage and commitment to pull that trigger; shove that knife into the heart of an enemy, or to simply push a button to eradicate someone you know is not only your enemy, but also someone who is committed to the oppression, torture, and harm of others even if such action is in another part of the world. To question the courage and integrity of our military personnel regardless of their position in behalf of freedom from oppression is simply absurd. God speed to all our military personnel facing that ultimate decision to take another life. I for one, appreciate your courage and commitment to cause and duty.
Semper Fidelis
Barry Goodson
Former Marine
CAP124, Vietnam
I will never forget my training in boot camp so many years ago. I came from a family and a culture where one is taught to fight a fair fight; shake hands and move forward as a better person. One of my Drill Instructors during boot camp noticed such commitment in me and pulled me aside during hand-to-hand combat training and told me something I will never forget. He told me that I had to set aside my personal beliefs because I was going to be facing an enemy committed to my death and the death of all fellow Marines. He assured me that my job was commitment to instant success in eliminating that enemy with any tool/weapon available to me at that moment in time. He told me that to do otherwise would empower my enemy with opportunities to overpower me because of the weakness in my offense, which would ultimately endanger other Marines and our cause. Of course, my time in combat reinforced those powerful words from my Drill Instructor.
In closing, I marvel at those in the world who deem success in the elimination of an enemy or enemies through the use of any tool in our arsenal as being an act of cowardice, when in reality it is nothing more than a precise, military strategy. It takes courage and commitment to pull that trigger; shove that knife into the heart of an enemy, or to simply push a button to eradicate someone you know is not only your enemy, but also someone who is committed to the oppression, torture, and harm of others even if such action is in another part of the world. To question the courage and integrity of our military personnel regardless of their position in behalf of freedom from oppression is simply absurd. God speed to all our military personnel facing that ultimate decision to take another life. I for one, appreciate your courage and commitment to cause and duty.
Semper Fidelis
Barry Goodson
Former Marine
CAP124, Vietnam
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I expect this same argument has come and gone with every increase in firepower. It probably goes back to the first person who used a knife instead of bare fists, called a coward because he wanted to end the fight in less than two hours.
Some people aren't suited to the military, but join anyway. So I feel sorry for the author of the article, because he is trying to separate himself from the guilt he feel over taking lives, so he calls his profession cowardly.
We have animal control officers, which among other things, pick up and euthanize rabid animals. They aren't cowards either, simply because they don't get down on all fours and try to bite the rabid dog to death. I'm in the rabid animal control business. If your stomach isn't strong enough to control rabid animals, you don't belong in the military.
Some people aren't suited to the military, but join anyway. So I feel sorry for the author of the article, because he is trying to separate himself from the guilt he feel over taking lives, so he calls his profession cowardly.
We have animal control officers, which among other things, pick up and euthanize rabid animals. They aren't cowards either, simply because they don't get down on all fours and try to bite the rabid dog to death. I'm in the rabid animal control business. If your stomach isn't strong enough to control rabid animals, you don't belong in the military.
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