Army announces “C” and “R” medal devices because everybody needs a trophy

Seems like a solution in search of a problem, to me.

SGT Christopher 'Kit' Lowe I have never met a nintendo warrior. I was out before they existed but I suspect that they write those articles because saying such a thing inn person to an actual combat vet would lead to an ass kicking.

SGT Christopher 'Kit' Lowe - There have been times that I was very grateful for UAV support and I am certain my friends in EW saved me some pain and damage. However, that does not equal hanging your butt on the line where the enemy can get at you. I think that this notion of an "R" device tries to address that, but I suspect that it will only serve to identify at a glance that they were support bubbas.
I think this is much ado about nothing, but part of why we wear medals to dining outs and such is to have conversations about "no shit, there I was". Where were you when you got that MSM-R, Arizona?
Meh.

1SG (Join to see) that is exactly my point, providing support for a really safe distance is very different that actually being in danger. Those guys don't even deploy to the combat zone. An assault on the compound doesn't even affect them.

1SG (Join to see) - I agree that its better to have a device then a whole new ribbon / medal.

Nobody that knows what being a Soldier is works towards getting a medal.

While I agree with you, not every soldier wants to be, nor admires, nor sees themselves as competing with combat arms soldiers (troops). Therefore I see it as them proudly displaying their achievements in their support field. Much like the ESB.