Posted on Jul 10, 2015
How does the community feel about the Purple Heart today?
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Just wanted to hear the thoughts on the Purple Heart and how easy it seems they give them out. For those who have been awarded them in the past. Is it insulting to you the way it is being handled now?
Awards
Purple Heart
Honor
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 4
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I'm not exactly sure how they are being awarded now but a few of my buddies received them due to TBI. My friends were completely different after the blast or in many cases blasts. So in that regards its not insulting at all. I would hope that soldiers would have enough respect for the award to turn it down if it was for something not life threatening.
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I believe that this particular issue is raised during every "Combat Period" since WW II. This is, however, the first time that the country has been at war that every Purple Heart is documented and played up online and, in some cases, on local radio and television.
Maybe the problem is that we live in an information era, which means that, for right or for wrong, a lot of statistics are out there, and for not only civilians to use. Could it be that some Commanders feel that their units need to have a certain number of Purple Heart nominees / recipients to keep up with other commands? When the Unit looks better, more awards for example, doesn't it make the Commander look better for his / her next Promotion Board?
I'm not saying it's true, but it is a hypothesis that could possibly explain the feelings expressed in your question, SSgt Kenneth Vance.
P.S. I do love conspiracy theories........
Maybe the problem is that we live in an information era, which means that, for right or for wrong, a lot of statistics are out there, and for not only civilians to use. Could it be that some Commanders feel that their units need to have a certain number of Purple Heart nominees / recipients to keep up with other commands? When the Unit looks better, more awards for example, doesn't it make the Commander look better for his / her next Promotion Board?
I'm not saying it's true, but it is a hypothesis that could possibly explain the feelings expressed in your question, SSgt Kenneth Vance.
P.S. I do love conspiracy theories........
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SSgt (Join to see)
SGT Robert Gresham, your response is very insightful and I do find it interesting. To add to It could my generation and the ones to come be making it worse with the constant need for the "participation award?
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PVT Robert Gresham
I think it is only natural to want something, especially if that "something" will also further your goals. It is most assuredly up to the chain-of-command to step up and say whether an award is warranted or not. The whole crux of the matter is whether Commanders look better on Officer reviews when more soldiers under their command receive higher awards.
I just honestly don't know the answer to the question. Although, I have seen O-2s and O-3s who have taken almost verbatim "bullets" from the old NCOERs of enlisted members, from their section, and used them to describe what the Officer did when applying for other positions, or writing resumes.
I just honestly don't know the answer to the question. Although, I have seen O-2s and O-3s who have taken almost verbatim "bullets" from the old NCOERs of enlisted members, from their section, and used them to describe what the Officer did when applying for other positions, or writing resumes.
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SSgt (Join to see), I'm not sure where you're getting this information from. I know plenty of wounded warriors who have gotten Purple Hearts.
And if what you say IS true, it isn't a new thing. Look at Secretary of State John Kerry's own Purple Heart for an example.
And if what you say IS true, it isn't a new thing. Look at Secretary of State John Kerry's own Purple Heart for an example.
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