Review of the Distinguished Warfare Medal
Yes, I heard that Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel is reviewing the Distinguished Warfare Medal. From the Stars & Stripes;
Pentagon spokesman George Little said Tuesday said the review was prompted by complaints from veterans groups and lawmakers about its ranking above the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
The review, to be led by Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey, will look at whether the order of precedence for the new medal should be changed, but will not consider eliminating the new award. A report and decision on the issue is expected by April 12.
The announcement comes days after Hagel defended the medal to critics, and just weeks after the Pentagon announced the new award.
TSO called to remind us that when he was on a conference call with DoD a few weeks ago, they were adamant that they weren’t going to review anything, that it was being rolled out as planned. But, today, somehow, things have changed.
Since this whole thing began, I’ve said it was a distraction from real issues. Panetta gave Hagel a gift that made Hagel look like someone who is on our side, a member of the E-4 Mafia who is just like us.
Meanwhile, we’re not talking about the thousands of retirees who are being kicked off of Tricare Prime next month. We’re not talking about the Tricare premiums and co-pays that are jumping up. We’re not talking about the cuts to tuition assistance for active duty folks. We’ve forgotten about the $700 million dollars raided from our Tricare surplus. We’re not talking about the carrier group that won’t be supporting the troops in the Gulf.
I just wonder what the next shiny object will be that they’ll use to distract us from actual issues.
Category: Big Army
I don’t know if this is one of those “real” issues, but I was just told by the military dentist at the Rader Clinic on Fort Myer that they are no longer polishing patients’ teeth after the cleaning and are cutting scheduled hour-long cleaning appointments to 30 minutes, all due to budget cuts. Of course they tell you this after the cleaning, which elicited the next question of “well, are my teeth clean?”
I suppose this is just me lamenting the fact that I am not being lavished anymore with such uniquely military benefits such as annual (vice every 6 months) dental cleanings. But it’s good to know Hagel’s on top of the medal thing.
Hey, they got to keep those ships docked to pay for our lavish lifestyle. Who wants some caviar?
The human mouth has 32 teeth (sans life expeirences), if it takes more than a minute to clean each tooth someone needs to reevaluate their oral hygiene…besides dentists are the devil and Id put a lip of copenhagen in about an hour before my appointment jus to make em earn that lavish O pay
We already have some non-combat medals in higher order of precedence than the bronze star and silver star. I don’t have a problem with another one higher but I do have a problem with a medal with the word “warfare” in it when there is no warfare involved. OK, a guy sitting in an air-conditioned trailer in Nevada flying an armed drone in Afghan is capable of killing people but is it just me or does anyone else think to be engaged in warfare one has to have the possibility of being shot back at? These guys are committing hostile acts but not in a hostile environment. I am certain the job is boring as hell and they deserve an award for the long hours and technical skills. A commendation medal seems more appropriate.
I feel like Im in a time warp. This medal comes out, rightfully bitched about, reviewed, Specialist Hagel approves it, we rightfully bitch about once again, now its in review??? Dido on the distraction. Its like Im in a shitty Bill Murray movie. I feel like Im in a time warp. This medal comes out, rightfully bitched about, reviewed, Specialist Hagel approves it, rightfully bitch about once again,now its in review??? Dido on the distraction. Its like Im in a shitty Bill Murray movie.
Is this Hagle the same Hagel who lied about flying missions in Viet Nam when he was nothing more than a shuttle pilot. Oh yes he knows.
What a lying asshole who will do vets not good.
The Pentagon is reviewing something? Do they do anything else?? (Sorry, Jonn. It just struck my funny bone. And I cannot quit chuckling. Thanks for that anyway.)
Next we’ll be talking about how the assault weapons ban being written by Joe Manchin does not exempt DoD’s small arms arsenal. GI Joe will be GI Don’t.
Ohio, you are referring to the retiring wothless Senator from Iowa, Tom Harkin.
Does Tricare fall under the VA and is that even under Hagel’s perview? I’m not a retiree so I am asking out of ignorance….