In addition, veterans of these 21st-century wars may receive each medal only once. In theory -- and in current practice -- troops could spend years fighting in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Philippines and elsewhere and end up with a single medal that doesn’t reflect their specific duty history or even the fact that they deployed multiple times in the global war on terrorism. The Pentagon isn’t saying much about its rationale for the decision. Defense officials feel "these two medals will provide appropriate recognition for our service members participating in the Global War on Terrorism, whether that be in Afghanistan, Iraq or elsewhere," said Air Force Maj. Sandra Burr, a Pentagon spokeswoman.
Indeed. Look, I didn't serve, but my father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and best friend did, and I think a single GWOT medal is a pretty piss-poor recognition of service to one's country. Why would they do such a thing? Some twisted sense of efficiency? In a word, politics. By not awarding a specific medal for Iraq, the Bush White House gets to fold that war into the GWOT and point to it as a central campaign instead of the diversion it is. If they get away with this, _any_ conflict in the future will be part of the GWOT and, thus, justified. This is part and parcel for a White House and political party that, let's face it, talks up the troops on one hand and tries to cut danger pay on the other. That lauds first responders such as firefighters and cops, but leaves them underfunded. Everything is politics to these guys, and it's shameful. The men and women who fought and died in Iraq and Afghanistan deserve better. Everyone reading this knows I oppose(d) the Iraq war, but why is it that a lefty peacenik like myself seems to get more pissed off about the treatment of the troops than groups like the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, both of whom gave warm welcomes to President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney recently? Instead of getting the recognition they deserve for fighting the biggest wars since Vietnam (which has the Vietnam Service Medal as well as several recognized campaigns,) American troops -- and aircraft carriers -- are props for the current White House. They deserve better.
The Antartic Service Medal is, I believe, the only military service medal that is also awarded to civilians. Trivia for today.
We now return to our regularly scheduled seriousness….
RE: why is it that a lefty peacenik like myself seems to get more pissed off about the treatment of the troops than groups like the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars …?
That is an excellent question, and the only answer I have found is one I do not like. Inexplicably, some people LOVE the act of war, the flexing of muscle, the forceful raising of our clenched fist in victory above others to whom we’ve dealt a crippling blow; they like it over and above the peaceful coexistence of mankind in general and, specifically, even their own children being allowed to live out their lives in peace and charity. Whether it is based in some bestial hate or visceral fear deep within the psyche, I submit that these are not good foundations for a nation’s governing policies. Frankly, it scares the hell outta me.
Of course, justifying one’s world policy decisions by encouraging these factors enhances one’s desire to be richer and more powerful than God - which is enhanced by not wasting funds on medals, wages and care for those insignificant soldiers who were sent to carry out the violence. See? Everything falls into place.
A medal won’t buy s Soldier’s son a new bicycle.
If you care about “the treatment of the troops”, then demand congress raise their BASE PAY, not the measly “Danger Pay”.
Let the military concern itself with what peices of colored ribons it wears.
Pay and equipment are real issues.
Nick— Excellent point, and one that I overlooked. Thanks for making it.
chris
They deserve both, Nick, proper pay and proper commendations.
Those that put their bodies in the path of supersonic lead deserve it more than those like Bush, who checked the “Will Not Volunteer”[to go to ‘Nam] box on their “Champagne Brigade” Nat’l Guard application.
Definitely, why do we peaceniks get all uptight about the treatment of troops? Hard to answer but it pisses me off too that while the Neocons of the current White House Administration are reaping huge amounts of profits in this war troops are having their paychecks being docked off, disgraceful indeed. In essence this is akin to piracy from the 1700’s, the captain still keeps the loot.
Where is the sense of patriotism within the neocons? I don’t see them donating any of their profits to balance the budget …it’s just milk milk milk the treasury with treachery.
as*les.
So this means that no medals at all can be awarded in the Iraqi conflict? What about the congressional medal of Honor? - John Jimenez
http://www.draftgore.com
http://gore2004.meetup.com/
the Medal of Honor can still be awarded, the decision with the GWOT medals is that there will not be a “IRAQ-2003” specific campaign medal. The military divides its different medals into various types, “Campaign medals” means service in a specific action, like a WWII Ardennes or North African “campaign” or a Desert Storm Defense of Kuwait Campaign. Different types of medals recognize differerent types of achievements, some are only used in war time, some only in peacetime, some in both. A Congressional Medal of Honor is not a campaign medal.
I made it all the way to Baghdad and back, nearly got killed 4 times, was medevacd and have the same ribbons and medals I had before I left. Some recognition.
I have a question? What makes the war in Afghanistan and Iraq so medal whorty. If every campagin deserves a medal then why did we turn our backs on our Cold War Veterans for a Cold War Service Medal and how about our campagins in Lebon, Gernada, Somalia. I beleived those individuals should get a specific campagin medal for each of their campagins. Just because we are fighting a global war against evil, we cannot afford to always award the medals our servicemen and women deserve. I feel their pain, but would not be easier to use existing awards or reissue other awards such as Americian Defense Service Medal for such actions. This is just one example, which cost nothing to create.
I am in the Navy currently stationed overseas and this is how I view the issue. When they place me in the ground there is no medal that will comfort my wife nor help my three children with their homework. You see medals and ribbons are good, however, it is just something else that I have to keep replacing. I don’t ever won’t to take away the feeling of accomplishment that a medal or ribbon gives the service member. For me Pay is the bottom line. I find it hard to believe that we, as a people, ask men and women to die/leave their families/children for 2wk, 6mth and sometimes a year just to offer a medal or ribbon. My concern is not with what medal or ribbon I will receive at the end of my service but will the time I spent serving my Country help me provide for three college educations. If not what ever am I fighting for?
Proud To Serve… Navy all the way!!!
In the world of politics we place too many expectations on the President and blame him for everything that goes wrong. We live in a “have it your way and have it now” society and overlook the fact that any worthwhile changes take longer than 4 years and have thousands of politicians and judges involved. It never fails that every elected official is hailed as the greatest person who ever lived until two years into their term. All that aside…medals and ribbons, though barely worth the materials they are made of, have a tremendous impact on the psyches of many military personnel. They offer a sense of pride and accomplishment, fuel a desire to achieve more and by working smarter and harder, and let the military know that their sacrifices are appreciated by their nation. To lump everything under one or two medals over a long period of years indicates that we are only numbers in a political nation that cares nothing of disposing of its sovereignty, and that we must be planning on more wars, skirmishes, and campaigns than we can possibly produce medals for. I was pleased to discover that the Louisianna National Guard has authorized the Cold War Medal (in ribbon form only) for wear as a state ribbon. I would gladly buy my own Cold War Medal and pay for the cost of manufacturing just to be allowed to wear it on my U.S. military uniform and feel that my service during the Cold War era actually amounted to something. I volunteered for everything and was never chosen to do my part.
I agree on the campaign medals. I’m in Afghanistan right now. Iraq and this place are truly two different theaters, two different campaigns and the GWOT medal does not suffice. I feel for the lower enlisted and others who have to take big pay cuts or need more in regards to base pay. Congress needs to address that instead of awarding huge contracts to Haliburton and others for rebuilding. Worry about your sons and daughters first! Army all the way!
I agree with many of the comments above. Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen do deserve better treatment and pay. As for the medals they will come in time. As a veteran of both Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom I can say these things can take some time. They have to figure out what the medal will be, look like and the criteria like who will get it. All of this takes some time. As for the higher ups getting paid more the pay differences in the military pain comparisome to those of corporate America e.g a two star General (22 - 26 yrs in service)(Maj. Gen.) makes 123,069.00 in base pay vs. a E-6 (Tsgt. USAF)who gets 31,956.00 in base pay per year. For a difference of 91,113.00. Wheras in the corporate world a CEO may make 500,000.00 to 1,000,000.00 a year vs. 50,000.00 60,000.00 for your average employee. Big differences when you consider the responsibilities and hazards faced by each.
Yup, I think it’s pretty crappy. Let’s say you do a tour as a Special Ops guy in the Phillipines. Then a year later, see some heavy combat in Iraq. 3 years later, you do a tour in Afghanistan. You might have combat in 3 countries and all you get is the GWOTEM????
weak, very weak.
Edward, the campaigns you suggested did warrant a medal, the Expeditionary Medal. If you went to Grenada, Somalia, and Lebanon, you got 3 EMs. You would wear the medal with two bronze stars affixed to it.
The shitty thing is, the GWOTEM, you are only allowed to be awarded it ONCE!
Our military history for the last 5 years has been that “conflicts” warrant an expeditionary medal, while larger sized “wars” warrant their own campaign medal. The exception to this rule was Kosavo, but Clinton wanted to make that war “official” so he issued a medal for it.
Freakin politicians. Why don’t they just stick with tradition? New hat, change the medals around. dumb, plain dumb.
I crossed into Iraq 19Mar03 and made it all the way up to Baghdad and eventually back. I was in a few firefights on the way up and some of us took out some Iraqis. However, i am home now with exactly the same amount of ribbons I had when i deployed over there. I agree with many people on this posting that we should have a campaign medal for Iraq and one for Afghanistan as well. The GWOTM doesn’t cut the mustard. What pisses me off more than getting the GWOTM medal instead of a campaign medal is the fact that it we aren’t even allowed to wear it yet! When is our administration going to realize that with the high optempo of deployment, retention is at an all time low. Yet they keep giving us these blows like not awarding troops what they have earned.
I could care less about a little piece of ribbon on my chest. I already have so much chest candy, I look like a third world dictator. I say give me some points in military education. Five per month deployed would be fine. Lowering my cutoff score below 798 would be nice too. The only people that get 798 are super soldiers and cheaters at a ratio of about 1 to 20. Is that what we want our senior NCOs to be, people that are willing to cheat to get ahead?
I have to agree with most of what is being said. Like the previous individual, I have my far share of “chest candy”. Even with 20 years in I still like to be reconized for the good job I have completed. Lord knows, the Army will reconize you for a poor job. Try not to combine this issue with pay. This is solely an issue with reconition of jobs completed. From the impresionable young private, seasoned specialist, or potential recruite, these awards DO make a differance in performance and potential. Giving seperate medals for seperate actions builds self estime, confidance, pride, and yes, the paycheck. Soldiers who feel good about what they have accomplished, tend to stay in and advance higher.
As far as cuttoff score goes, join the infantry and get moved up. Their scores traditionaly are lower, and with that third world chest, you should be good-to-go.
I am in the infantry, and have been here in Ar Ramadi, Iraq for almost a year. Daily IEDs and weekly mortors and ambushes. I would like to be reconized for my part. Seperatly from the ones who stayed in Kawait away from harm’s way.
as Forrest Gump would say “thats all I have to say about that”
I served in Iraq for six months and returned home safely. To this point over 500 U.S. servicemen and women have died. You get a campaign ribbon for Kosovo where I believe the death toll has been about 10. We DESERVE a campaign ribbon. And yes it IS important to us because while it has no intrinsic value in and of itself, it shows recognition to those who should know, such as other combat vets. How many of us in the military for more than a year don’t know a Vietnam or Kuwaiti Lberation service ….
I have to agree with the majority of the postings here in favor of separate campaign medals for different theaters. This is the tradition established within our military going back to the 1800’s. If nothing else, I would suggest the addition of campaign bars on the GWOTEM similar to the WW1 victory medal. A bar would be added for IRAQ, Afganistan or PI service. Campaign Stars would be worn on the ribbon when not wearing the full size medal. It’s still a cheap way out for DOD, but at least reflects service performed.
And by the way, whatever they decide to do, let’s get on with it. I’ve been in Iraq almost a year now and the award is still pending !?…ATW
I see a lot of “To Baghdad and Back” comments posted. To those of us still here, it isn’t about the medals, it isn’t about how fast 1st ID can replace us, it is about doing a job that we ALL volunteered for. I believe it was Napoleon who said, “Give me enough cloth (for medals and ribbons) and I will conquer the world.” I disagree, my time spent here, near Muqdadiah and in Tikrit, will be something that is forever indelibly imprinted upon my soul. I do not need a simple piece of cloth to remind me of the time I have spent away from my family. Remember, DO TWENTY AND GET THE MONEY!!
I don’t know why they bothered creating two new awards, a lot of Marines I’ve talked to, would of been happy with the AFEM and the AFSM, and if President Bush wanted to tie Iraq and Afghanistan as a War on Terrorism, then he should of just awarded the already exsisting AFEM and AFSM then created a medal called “Global War of Terorism”! It would of satifsfied both, I believe, campaigns. Instead of getting vets from Afghanistan and Iraq pissed off because they both each want to be recognized.
I can go home from here as an E-1 with no medals and I will be happy to have made it out alive. Medals are great to have, but they should be pretty low on the priority list of things to complain about.
I’m tired of hearing all the sniveling and complaining about medals, pay, and recognition that one thinks he/she deserves. If your freedom is only worth a piece of ribbon or a few extra dollars, you can have it. Then I will gladly give you any ribbon I have then you can remove your ungrateful self from this country. Its not about what you wear, it’s about who you are and what you’ve done. I have done my time in various conflicts and don’t need any award to remind me what I have done, why I went, and what it stands for. Furthermore, I don’t need someone looking at my uniform to decide what kind of soldier I am.
Its not about money or awards.
Its about service to country.
I agree with Disgruntled MSG. I hear a lot of complaints about the awards or lack of. Especially coming from “LEFTISTS (Julio and Jan)” who probably have never served a day of their lives protecting this great nation of ours. Yeah, the pay is low compared to the civilian counter part…but add up your free medical and housing costs, and you are doing pretty good. As an E-5 with over 10 years, I am making over 40,000 a year. And thats without a degree. We chose this because of what we believe in “service to country” not service to bank account. If you dont like the pay or award system…then get the hell out. And to those of you who have never served in the military….keep your damn comments to yourself. I have been deployed 2 times since Sept 11th for a total of a year and a half, and I am not complaining. The last one got me injured while in combat.
I believe what we are doing is the right thing to do. Freedom is deserved by all, not just us sitting here in the US. Those of you who are in the military and feel that we are engaged in an unjust war, then when your time comes up for ETS, get out. Cause there will be lots of times you dont agree with what is going on. That is the military, it is not up for debate.
BTW Julio, what the hell are Neocons?? And what profits are being reaped by the White House?? We have a better administration than what Gore could have presented…we would still be sitting around trying to figure out what to do after Sept 11th. And with “KERRY” as a president…he said that he will appologize to all nations for our actions, including the ones who sponsor terrorism.
I can’t believe all of the whining here. I went to a fourth of July Parade a few years back and marched with some gentlemen from the Marine Corps League who were all WWII vets and who each wore a single row of three ribbons. Yes they did participate in combat operations. It made me feel guilty as a stood there with a chest full of ribbons that I suddenly felt I had no right to wear.
The point is that we are all lucky we made it home from Iraq and Afghanistan and medals be damned. We know what we did over there and if someone asked me I would tell them, but I don’t need a fruit salad on my chest to feel good about what I have done. If you are in this for the medals and recognition then please go find other employment. We don’t want you in our armed forces.
Granted it is good to be recognized for your contributions to the military reguardless of what you did. It matters not how many hajji’s you killed or how many times you “saw action” or even if you were an engineer on a ship to get the Marines over to Iraq/Afghanistan. We all have the same goals with this “War on Terriorsm” and that’s to make it back alive after doing our jobs to best of our abilities. Everyone can complain that money is not enough, I don’t get the recognition that I deserve…blah, blah, blah… Just do your job the best you can and come home safe!! Who cares if you get 50 medals/ribbons? Like GySgt G says if you’re just in this for recognition you picked the wrong job.
Try this one: You think Jessica Lynch deserved all those medals/ribbons and all the crap she got? She did nothing, she didn’t even fire one shot in defense! And how many times did she try to escape? Zero! There are so many more people’s lives and “adventures in Iraq/Afghanistan” who’d make a better day time movie. America needs it’s heros, that’s why she got what she did.
I’m just proud to serve and pray I come home safe. I mean, I can’t take those ribbons or that money with me when I die, you can have it all!
Bullshit!
It does matter how many bad guys we kill. Whether you choose to agree, even if you do not have the frame of reference that allows you to understand it.
My guess is most of you have not ever been to the Middle East. Do you have any idea how these people conduct themselves? You bitch and complain about how the women over there are treated but then you bitch and complain when someone goes over to try and change things, no matter what the reason. How many different ways can you possible have your cake and eat it too?
I was the first Intel guy who had access to the bio weapons lab. Anyone who thinks it wasn’t is an idiot. So if it wasn’t a bio weapons lab, what is it? I doubt they were using it to brew beer. That, and the 12+ bombs filled with chemical agent seem to indicate that the Iraqis did in fact have Chem weapons.
Campaign ribbons are for campaigns. They are different from medals for specific wars. I do not really care that the Executive Branch of our government was not interested in providing ribbons for theaters of operations or for campaigns. That is why we have three branchesof government. Congress followed the right protocol and now we will have ribbons for both campaigns.
At the end of the day, the Army is different than it was during WW II, and it was different then as compared to the Indian Wars.
A soldier is no less a soldier because he has campaign ribbons or war medals. There is a difference between a ribbon and a medal. A ribbon means you went somewhere. A medal usually means you did something.
If all you complainers are doing your job for medals and ribbons then I am ashamed to serve with a whole lot of you. I was in Iraq in 2003 and left in 2004. I did my job and will do it again. I am not asking for any medals to justify serving or asking for more medals to do it again. If you all are wondering what rank I am, I am a Sergeant First Class and my values are upholding with the finest traditions the Army has to offer.