Pentagon review of how troops get recognized for combat heroism in final phases. Your thoughts?

2015-06-05T17:24:25-04:00

More than two years ago, then-Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta announced the creation of the Distinguished Warfare Medal, a new military decoration that would honor service members flying drones in combat. Controversially, the new award would have been ranked higher than the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star with “V,” both awards earned in the throes of combat.

The plan was eventually scrapped by Panetta’s successor, Chuck Hagel, who called for a broad review to assess how well the military honors valor on the battlefield. That effort is now in its final phases, with current Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter expected to receive recommendations soon.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2015/06/05/pentagon-review-of-how-combat-heroism-gets-recognized-in-final-phases/?tid=hpModule_04941f10-8a79-11e2-98d9-3012c1cd8d1e&hpid=z10

Pentagon review of how troops get recognized for combat heroism in final phases

Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter is expected to receive recommendations in coming days.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 5:45 PM

2015-06-05T17:45:41-04:00

This is what it sounds like. Funding is going to be increased to support a team of High Ranking Officers to sift through reports, statements, and medal packages. They will make the final "Military" determination on the award, and send it up to Congress, and so on.

Instead, the Service Chiefs should be supporting their pople and services by assigning extra duties to their subordinates and allow them to make the final determination.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jun 5 at 2015 8:49 PM

2015-06-05T20:49:47-04:00

The issue with Valor, or Heroics, is that it's "eye of the beholder."

If I said "He jumped on a Grenade." What award should he be recognized with? Keeping in mind that we have 50+ Marines with Medals of Honor (almost 20% of our MoHs) for that act. We also have a recent Navy Cross for the same act.

What about "Exposed himself to fire?"

What about awards like the Bronze Star (with or without V).