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'Drone' award angers military members

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    Vets say new medal demeans combat valor

  • Duration 3:19
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I -- -- announced by the Department of Defense has some members of our military up annoyance that's because it ranks higher -- the purple heart.

For the bronze store -- the recipient does that to set a foot into the battle to be it to earn it.

It's being called to distinguish warfare medal and -- said to be awarded to cyber world where experts like pilots.

Of -- of -- unarmed and armed drones.

Is is a sign of the times or an insult to those who fight and combat.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- He's retired air force he's also -- bring -- novel out called mercenary.

I salute lieutenant colonel what's your reaction to giving -- guys in Las Vegas the same -- -- a guy like you would get.

You know Brian I I think it's I think it's ridiculous.

There are other -- that exist.

That they could give to these guys there's there's an air and space campaign medal there's an aerial achievement medal.

All sorts of metals and recognize their efforts and contributions.

But have nothing whatsoever to do with combat and -- and -- something on a guy's chest that ranks higher than say the purple heart like you mentioned.

For sitting in an air conditioned trailer plan with a joystick doesn't sit well with me at all.

Any of blue -- I imagine it's skill I've never done it would you -- point out to your neighbor with in game boy.

Should not be in the same category as the guy right now in Somalia.

Or Afghanistan.

-- that's exactly right again I'm not denigrating the effort -- and the dedication of those people.

But you gotta draw the line -- -- and not everybody in the military.

Is a warrior and a guy that's that's out there on the front lines in whatever branch in whatever service.

Deserves.

Different recognition and treatment than like you said somebody sitting in Las Vegas or California in a trailer and you know way you point out -- that Defense Secretary Panetta -- -- two years of military service she's trying to look progressive perhaps.

And in turn this comes across and in it for guys who fight it we really is.

Four Candiotti.

Yeah and and the other thing that I that you've got to ask the question of is you know with billions of dollars in cost overruns major weapons systems that are working.

Divorce rates and suicides that are -- doesn't the military have anything better to do.

The -- design another piece of colored cloth among the sixty that we already have you know and hang on somebody's chest when as I said there there are others that serve just as well.

-- in his corner as this I've seen firsthand how modern tools like remote piloted platforms and cyber systems have changed the way -- can be fought.

We should also have the ability to honor extraordinary actions -- make it true -- to difference in combat operations.

Even those actions there are physically removed from the fight so he's not fighting you -- your description he says a different idea where ranks.

Right -- and I think most people would agree again if they want to waste the time and money by promoting this thing that's fine.

But it doesn't rank up there with the distinguished service medals like the silver star the flying cross and certainly not above the purple heart.

And go out and -- going get the lieutenant colonels second novel about air force officer betrayed by the military.

And it is now out came out last week congratulations on a lieutenant colonel thanks so much.

No problem thanks again for having me --

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