New medal created to award to drone pilots

[No Elephants]

Panetta announces medal for drone pilots

The Distinguished Warfare Medal will be awarded for extraordinary achievement in things such as operating drones or taking part in cyber warfare. NBC's Brian Williams reports.
By Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press

They fight the war from computer consoles and video screens.

But the troops that launch the drone strikes and direct the cyberattacks that can kill or disable an enemy may never set foot in the combat zone. Now their battlefield contributions may be recognized.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced Wednesday that for the first time the Pentagon is creating a medal that can be awarded to troops who have a direct impact on combat operations, but do it from afar.

"I've seen firsthand how modern tools, like remotely piloted platforms and cyber systems, have changed the way wars are fought," Panetta said. "And they've given our men and women the ability to engage the enemy and change the course of battle, even from afar."

<snip>

According to the Pentagon criteria, the medal gives the military a way to recognize a single act that directly affects a combat operation, doesn't involve an act of valor, and warrants an award higher than the Bronze Star.

"The extraordinary achievement must have resulted in an accomplishment so exceptional and outstanding as to clearly set the individual apart from comrades or from other persons in similar situations," according to the Pentagon's list of criteria for the medal. It could include the "hands-on" but remote launching of a weapon and could specifically include efforts in space or cyberspace.

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/13/16952708-panetta-announces-medal-for-drone-pilots?lite

And here I thought we had jumped the shark last week.

My god. "Distinguished" warfare medal. As opposed to what? Undistinguished warfare?

It's to be considered higher than the bronze star, but lower than the silver star.

You don't have to risk anything, be at risk or display bravery. You just have to get good at sending a machine from the safety of wherever you are to murder someone who literally doesn't even have a fighting chance.

Good lord.