What is your take of a veteran claiming Silver Star but didn't get it because the mission for which it was given is classified?

2016-02-15T13:41:53-05:00

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Feb 15 at 2016 1:43 PM

2016-02-15T13:43:53-05:00

If it's a veteran, it would be on his DD-214 since circumstances would not be covered. He would also have an unclassified award document which goes into his permanent record (an unclassified database). If he can't produce one or both of these, then it sounds like a made up story to me.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Feb 15 at 2016 2:44 PM

2016-02-15T14:44:16-05:00

Anyone doing classified missions isn't the type to "claim" anything.

Major Red Flag.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Feb 15 at 2016 3:20 PM

2016-02-15T15:20:26-05:00

Agree that it doesn't compute. LTC Yinon Weiss has pretty much nailed it. Generic for public consumption stuff is easy to do. BTW, injuries received doing "classified" that have a medical and benefits tail are likewise covered by a generic LOD determination. You always get the fancy award paper. The citation is purposely vague. I've seen a couple so vague that you really really don't want to know anything about it. BTW high end operators aren't the only ones with vague awards. You just have to be in the wrong place, wrong time, and experience stuff that the bosses rightfully slap a hard blanket over. I'm glad we have blankets.....

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2016 3:35 PM

2016-02-15T15:35:55-05:00

Not sure by the wording of your question if you are saying he was actually awarded a silver star but wasnt given the medal or if he is claiming that he did something his peers or commander believe deserved a SS submission but he didnt get it because of the classification of the mission. That, in fact, happened to our soldiers conducting combat ops in El Salvador at a time our government said we werent. Families were given false reports of their spouses deaths, and no heroism was acknoledged. This wasnt fixed for years. Here's a link.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1996/05/06/public-honors-for-secret-combat/f764f45e-1b75-4e8c-8c32-94844434d5e0/

PUBLIC HONORS FOR SECRET COMBAT

Response by SFC(P) Jonathan P. made Feb 15 at 2016 5:14 PM

2016-02-15T17:14:42-05:00

I think that is going against the fact that you sworn to reruns classified information nod regardless of the award your countries sensitive information is more important in over all.

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Feb 15 at 2016 6:49 PM

2016-02-15T18:49:21-05:00

If the mission was classified and that's where he or she earned it then the award is classified too. It should be enough that he earned it. He knows it and others do too. Most soldiers don't go there and worry about recognition because usually in these situation they may have lost a buddy or two and medals don't seem to matter that much to these guys. I feel he is one of those guys who are badge heavy and need recognition for everything they do....sad and sorry if you ask me.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Feb 15 at 2016 8:42 PM

2016-02-15T20:42:35-05:00

My take is that such stories are almost always bullshit. Anything is possible but something like that is highly unlikely to be true.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2016 9:48 PM

2016-02-15T21:48:06-05:00

A lot of posers use that line!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2016 1:26 AM

2016-02-16T01:26:07-05:00

Liar or Honest, he has already said too much.

Response by SPC Rory J. Mattheisen made Feb 16 at 2016 11:33 AM

2016-02-16T11:33:18-05:00

Ribbons are for little girls and cats, for all I care they can take all of my ribbons and give them to the try hard. I laced up to EARN WINGS and go to Combat.

Response by SSG Jesse Cheadle made Feb 16 at 2016 1:22 PM

2016-02-16T13:22:12-05:00

Ask them for their DD214 or respective service record. If its not there then its not there and call them out on it. I just wouldnt make a spectacle of it.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2016 1:56 PM

2016-02-16T13:56:42-05:00

What is he claiming? Is he trying to get some additional benefit?

Response by CPT Jim Schwebach made Feb 17 at 2016 9:57 AM

2016-02-17T09:57:49-05:00

The quiet ones did, the loud ones didn't.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 10:29 AM

2016-02-17T10:29:09-05:00

AR 600-8-22, para 3-20k.
k. When an award recommendation contains classified information, no classified information will be entered on the DA Form 638. Supporting and allied documents will bear a security classification and/or protective markings. The packet will be prepared, processed, and protected according to AR 380–5. Proposed and approved citations will be prepared to contain no classified information. When documents containing classified information are transmitted electronically, they will only be transmitted using the Secret Internet Protocol Router Network.

In other words, the medal is not classified, and the circumstances surrounding it, while they may be classified, does not constrict in any way the process for awarding the medal.

I smell bull$#!t.

Response by MAJ Brad Rather made Feb 17 at 2016 3:07 PM

2016-02-17T15:07:32-05:00

BS!! Even CAG and ST6 operators are awarded valorous medals for their actions (and everything they do is classified). it can still appear on their ORB/ERB and on their DD214... He is telling you a tall tail!!! makes me wonder what else he is lying about!

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2016 5:03 AM

2016-03-04T05:03:03-05:00

He would still receive it, even if the corresponding mission was classified. Since DD-214s only cite the medal and date of receipt, it would be listed there. In the interest of protecting the information, he would still receive a citation with the medal, but it would be vague, not much more than 'for actions in support of Operation so-and-so'. There are operators and other SOF guys that receive those higher decorations all the time, and most of what they do is classified. While there are absolutely admin people who are either too lazy to properly do their job, or who genuinely don't know their rate, if this guy's shooting off at the mouth about this 'classified mission', he's probably full of it anyway.