Just as American soldiers can be present the Silver Star , some have long contend that remote operator of drones should be eligible for warfare ribbon as well . young reports argue they might not be gravel palm per se , but they will be getting some sort of award .
Today , the New York Timesreportsthat the Pentagon is expected to make an announcement that droning operator are indeed are going to be decorated with some kind of raiment . But the Military Timessaysthat “ distinction ” might just be a PIN number that ’s affix to noncombat medals , instead of a unexampled , standalone medal — one that ’s been derided as the “ Nintendo decoration . ” That pin could be a quarter - inch “ R , ” which stands for “ distant , ” like to the existing“V ” for “ valor ” devicethat ’s already affixed to medals .
This latest development adds machination to a long - standing debate as to whether drone pilotsshould be eligible for ( noncombat ) medalsisn’t . On one side of the issue , some veterinary surgeon have react such a possible accolade , apparently calling it the “ geek cross , ” and did n’t want such an award to rate higher than scrap medals . Drone pilots assure UAVs from the safe of a distant control elbow room far from the battlefield , so antagonist think does n’t tally the valiancy of those troop actually out on the ground .
Meanwhile , supporters of the modification argue that the consumption of drone for intel - assemblage or airstrikes has become so interwoven with modern - solar day warfare that their pilots ’ contribution deserve to be acknowledge . It ’s also avery surd job — the Air Force hashad a tough timeretaining drone pilots because of acute stress thatleads to PTSD .
American drone operations in the Middle Easthave been killing civilian for years , so they stay on controversial . Still , in 2013 , former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta announce that drone pilots would find a magisterial service medal , though that was fleetly overruled by his successor , Chuck Hagel .
The former round of update from Pentagon offer beyond drone piloting , too . The Military Times reports that operators who establish cyberattacks could be eligible for the new “ universal gas constant ” gadget with today ’s announcement , too . So welcome to 21st - century warfare , where everywhere is a field of battle
[ New York Times , Military Times ]
Image : AP Photo / Eric Gay
Dronesmilitary
Daily Newsletter
Get the best technical school , science , and culture news in your inbox daily .
News from the future , delivered to your present .
You May Also Like
