Valourous Conduct Medals for playing Video Games?

[LazyGun]

Apparently the US Military are considering creating a valourous conduct medal for drone pilots - for what? because of the risk they run of getting wrist sprain?

http://www.salon.com/...ery_and_drone_pilots/

Offering medals for this type of service diminishes and demeans medals ofered to those of the military who are truly on the front line, risking their own life and limb....

[emmie]

can't see that happening here, seems a rather stupid idea.

[Zeuhl]

Maybe it's in recognition of the psychological damage caused by blowing women and children to smithereens?

[emmie]

do they even know who gets blown to smithereens.

[Zeuhl]

the drones are feeding back live video but usually the report of the dead civilians or 'friendly fire' deaths is lodged some time after the drone attack by people on the ground - must be an unwelcome experience for the people operating the joy stick back in Kansas or wherever they are.

[heathfield]

Demeaning medals? What about those US military personnel with rows and rows of ribbons from shoulder to waist - awarded because they were involved by handling a few pages of documents over some military action or other.

[jake-the-peg]

Or heirs to the throne?

[emmie]

JTP
perhaps as heir to the throne he is entitled to wear them, seeing his mother is Queen. He doesn't seem to have medals for the time he spent in the military, but he is quite entitled to these apparently. Besides what have you done for Queen and country.
http://news.bbc.co.uk.../magazine/6147544.stm

[jake-the-peg]

I'm sure those controllers are equally entitled to wear what they're awarded.

The question wasn't about what people were entitled to wear but whether they deserved them from risking life and limb

Clearly that comparison still holds good

As for my valour - I don't wear medals

I think your loyalty to monarchy may be affecting your logic somewhat

[flip_flop]

I was amused to see Edward at the Jubilee wearing a military uniform and sporting a number of medals.

This is the same Edward who decided to quit the army during the initial training.

I've wondered in the past whether he feels a total fraud wearing a uniform and displaying medals - I damn well know I would.