# New military medal for drone pilots and computer geeks - The Nintendo Medal? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 10, 2013, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-military-medal-for-drone-pilots-and-computer-geeks-the-nintendo-medal/652530 "2013-03-10T04:30:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2013, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-military-medal-for-drone-pilots-and-computer-geeks-the-nintendo-medal/652530/21 "2013-03-10T17:39:24Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > You know of me. And I presume I have a soul. > > Your point is thus refuted. 🙂 I presume you don’t have a soul. Nor do I. So there! ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2013, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-military-medal-for-drone-pilots-and-computer-geeks-the-nintendo-medal/652530/22 "2013-03-10T18:46:46Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > > [@RandMcnally](#): > > > > This medal was probably created to make drone operators feel better about myself. In my experience, they are mocked without mercy by those in the military who actually have wings. > > And this is why we need the medal. So everyone else in the military can mock the drone operators after they receive the medal? Because that’s what I could see happening. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2013, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-military-medal-for-drone-pilots-and-computer-geeks-the-nintendo-medal/652530/23 "2013-03-10T19:21:58Z")
> [@ZenBeam](#): > > So everyone else in the military can mock the drone operators after they receive the medal? Because that’s what I could see happening. If the argument against the medal is that other servicemen will mock recipients, then it isn’t the medal that’s the problem. ---
**Author:** ![Beastly\_Rotter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/45deac/32.png) [@Beastly\_Rotter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beastly_Rotter)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2013, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-military-medal-for-drone-pilots-and-computer-geeks-the-nintendo-medal/652530/24 "2013-03-10T19:22:30Z")
Cavalry probably disdained machine gunners too. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2013, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-military-medal-for-drone-pilots-and-computer-geeks-the-nintendo-medal/652530/25 "2013-03-10T19:38:20Z")
IMO, service awards started taking a nose dive when the Navy started awarding a Sea Service Ribbon. Really? An award for going to sea: in the Navy? I guess it was so Ensigns could have something on their chests besides nipples. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2013, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-military-medal-for-drone-pilots-and-computer-geeks-the-nintendo-medal/652530/26 "2013-03-10T19:45:49Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Medals aren’t awarded for doing your job - they’re supposed to be awarded for actions above and beyond the call of duty. So, let’s see what these operators have done that constitutes “above and beyond”. If this were ever true then it hasn’t been true in a long time. Good Conduct medals are awarded for doing your job and not F-ing up. And, I got the NDSM simply for serving during war time. I just did my job and didn’t do anything above and beyond except for just showing up. (Which, BTW, some didn’t and they went UA, claiming CO status) ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2013, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-military-medal-for-drone-pilots-and-computer-geeks-the-nintendo-medal/652530/27 "2013-03-10T20:15:52Z")
Yeah, if we can give out medals for perfect attendance (which we have been since at least Vietnam), then we can give out medals for skillful use of technology. I’m not saying that it should be considered a higher award than the Bronze Star, but I have no problem at all with its mere existence. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2013, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-military-medal-for-drone-pilots-and-computer-geeks-the-nintendo-medal/652530/28 "2013-03-10T20:26:19Z")
FWIW, a USN captain is the equivalent of a US Army bird colonel (one rank below a brigadier general/rear admiral, lower half). An Army captain is the equivalent of a USN lieutenant (two silver bars). ---
**Author:** ![HipGnosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/76d3ee/32.png) [@HipGnosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HipGnosis)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2013, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-military-medal-for-drone-pilots-and-computer-geeks-the-nintendo-medal/652530/29 "2013-03-10T20:38:40Z")
It’s seems pretty obvious which posters are veterans and which aren’t. For the record, I’m a 20 yr Air Force veteran with over 5,000 hours of flight duty - master enlisted aircrew (electronics tech.). My deployments included the combat theaters of the Liberation of Grenada and Desert Storm. I am qualified to speak knowledgeably on this. I vehemently object to this accommodation being an actual medal (rather than an accommodation ribbon) and being given precedence above the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. I support recognizing and rewarding extraordinary service, but the recognition given should be appropriate of the service and not insult recipients of other medals. I will log into my veteran boards and add my voice to any efforts against this. Every job I’ve ever done had workers that were better at their jobs than others. It’s the supervisor/managers job to recognize it and reward it accordingly. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2013, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-military-medal-for-drone-pilots-and-computer-geeks-the-nintendo-medal/652530/30 "2013-03-10T21:49:37Z")
What sort of medals do drone pilots get? Double Kill - Kill two enemies with one Hellfire missile. Triple Kill - Kill three enemies with one Hellfire missile. Kill Streak - Kill four or more enemies. Headshot - Self explanatory > [@Beastly Rotter](#): > > Cavalry probably disdained machine gunners too. According to Wikipedia, the Army resented the Airman’s Medal when it came out. That was one of the reason’s the Bronze Star was created. > [@HipGnosis](#): > > It’s seems pretty obvious which posters are veterans and which aren’t. > For the record, I’m a 20 yr Air Force veteran with over 5,000 hours of flight duty That’s a shitload of XP.😃 ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2013, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-military-medal-for-drone-pilots-and-computer-geeks-the-nintendo-medal/652530/31 "2013-03-10T22:08:16Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > What sort of medals do drone pilots get? > Double Kill - Kill two enemies with one Hellfire missile. > > Triple Kill - Kill three enemies with one Hellfire missile. > > Kill Streak - Kill four or more enemies. > > Headshot - Self explanatory I wonder if they get twice as many points when they kill children. You know, 'cuz they’re so small they’re harder to hit. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2013, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-military-medal-for-drone-pilots-and-computer-geeks-the-nintendo-medal/652530/32 "2013-03-10T22:09:13Z")
> [@HipGnosis](#): > > I support recognizing and rewarding extraordinary service, but the recognition given should be appropriate of the service and not insult recipients of other medals. Saying that recognizing someone else’s accomplishments is an insult to other medal recipients is like saying that letting gays marry is harmful to straight couples. ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2013, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-military-medal-for-drone-pilots-and-computer-geeks-the-nintendo-medal/652530/33 "2013-03-10T22:25:36Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Saying that recognizing someone else’s accomplishments is an insult to other medal recipients is like saying that letting gays marry is harmful to straight couples. Not really because there is a strict hierarchy with regards to medals. Giving medals for people who sit in front of a screen that are ranked higher than those given to people who actually put their lives in danger is insulting. When my buddy was killed in Afghanistan he got a Bronze Star. Why should a drone pilot get a medal higher than his? Drone pilot: Oh shit! My drone just got shot down! Man, I almost spilled my coffee. I’m having the worse day ever. I can’t wait to tell my wife tonight. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2013, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-military-medal-for-drone-pilots-and-computer-geeks-the-nintendo-medal/652530/34 "2013-03-10T22:54:41Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Well, I believe the reference was to army captains, though I have no idea if one is ranked higher than another. An Army/Air Force/Marine captain equals a Navy/Coast Guard lieutenant. A Navy/Coast Guard captain equals an Army/Air Force/Marine colonel, it’s the highest rank before flag lever (generals & admirals). ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2013, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-military-medal-for-drone-pilots-and-computer-geeks-the-nintendo-medal/652530/35 "2013-03-10T23:19:53Z")
> [@RandMcnally](#): > > I absolutely loathe this medal. I want to start a wethepeople petition against it but I just don’t have the time right now; probably once school gets out. > > This medal was probably created to make drone operators feel better about myself. In my experience, they are mocked without mercy by those in the military who actually have wings. I agree that medals and such are probably best kept as the equivalent of laurels to motivate people to perform extraordinary action for the good of the group and to inspire such an ethos in others. If a lot of people get them, they lose much of their impact. About being mocked: Why do you suppose that is? Is it just good-natured taking the piss or not? I can see why they’d be mocked in much the same way that medieval knights must have sought to belittle crossbowmen and arquebusiers. How dare they do their job in a more effective, cheaper and safer way! I suppose the Nintendogs of war might respond simply by playing the Buggles’ Video killed the radio star and Daft Punk’s Harder Better Faster Stronger. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2013, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-military-medal-for-drone-pilots-and-computer-geeks-the-nintendo-medal/652530/36 "2013-03-11T00:52:06Z")
Have any bomber crews earned medals for sorties over Afghanistan in the last ten years? Seems to me that if you’re in a B-52, B-1, or B-2, you’re not exactly being threatened by enemy air defenses, but I suppose they could do things that end up saving troops lives due to their expertise with their weapons and quick thinking. Should bomber crews be eligible for medals on the same basis as infantry? ---
**Author:** ![Shmendrik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Shmendrik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shmendrik)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2013, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-military-medal-for-drone-pilots-and-computer-geeks-the-nintendo-medal/652530/37 "2013-03-11T01:59:39Z")
Possibly relevant [article](http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/23/us/drone-pilots-found-to-get-stress-disorders-much-as-those-in-combat-do.html) from the NY Times: > [@](#): > > In the first study of its kind, researchers with the Defense Department have found that pilots of drone aircraft experience mental health problems like depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress at the same rate as pilots of manned aircraft who are deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2013, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-military-medal-for-drone-pilots-and-computer-geeks-the-nintendo-medal/652530/38 "2013-03-11T02:05:24Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Have any bomber crews earned medals for sorties over Afghanistan in the last ten years? Seems to me that if you’re in a B-52, B-1, or B-2, you’re not exactly being threatened by enemy air defenses, but I suppose they could do things that end up saving troops lives due to their expertise with their weapons and quick thinking. Should bomber crews be eligible for medals on the same basis as infantry? I don’t know whether any have or not, but it is still better than drone pilots, as the odds of getting shot down are slim, yes, but their aircraft can still malfunction in flight, they can crash on landing, etc etc. Any flight in the military is inherently dangerous. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2013, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-military-medal-for-drone-pilots-and-computer-geeks-the-nintendo-medal/652530/39 "2013-03-11T02:59:08Z")
> [@RandMcnally](#): > > Not really because there is a strict hierarchy with regards to medals. Giving medals for people who sit in front of a screen that are ranked higher than those given to people who actually put their lives in danger is insulting. When my buddy was killed in Afghanistan he got a Bronze Star. Why should a drone pilot get a medal higher than his? Is the purpose of the Bronze Star to acknowledge valor, or is it to acknowledge getting shot at? If it’s the former, then there’s no reason why the new medal would be an insult to a Bronze Star medalist. If it’s the latter, then the Bronze Star clearly is being under-awarded. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2013, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-military-medal-for-drone-pilots-and-computer-geeks-the-nintendo-medal/652530/40 "2013-03-11T03:44:52Z")
I’m not so sure why these guys are so butt-hurt about this; it’s not like the Bronze Star is necessarily a heroism-related medal. It’s entirely possible to be awarded one for meritorious service, and not even see any combat. If this happens, it doesn’t come with the “V” for valor clasp, but it’s still a Bronze Star. As a matter of fact, it was devised as the ground soldier equivalent of the Air Medal, not as some sort of heroism award, and in 1947, it was retroactively awarded to anyone who was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge or Combat Medical Badge, without the V device. > **[Bronze Star Medal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronze_Star_Medal)** > > The Bronze Star Medal (BSM) is a United States Armed Forces decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone. > When the medal is awarded by the Army, Air Force, or Space Force for acts of valor in combat, the "V" device is authorized for wear on the medal. When the medal is awarded by the Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard for acts of valor or meritorious service in c... The Distinguished Flying Cross, which is one step below the Legion of Merit, and 3 above the Bronze Star is much the same way- it’s not necessarily heroism; in 1942-1945, if you survived so many sorties, you got the Air Medal, and so many more, and you go the DFC; for a bomber crewman to complete 25 missions, that was an automatic DFC and an Air Medal with 5 oak leaf clusters. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-military-medal-for-drone-pilots-and-computer-geeks-the-nintendo-medal/652530.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-military-medal-for-drone-pilots-and-computer-geeks-the-nintendo-medal/652530.md?page=3)