USAF Finance NCO awarded Bronze Star Medal

[Sierrakitten]

Can't believe all the rubbish and panty wadding over this.

Why does this person's *** become an issue?

I think it's more about a finance person getting that high of an award. I've known people who have saved peoples lives during accidents and only got a MSM.
A BS for doing a really good job???? What's XXX got to do with that????

[Soldat_Américain]

Putting yourself at risk in a non-combat situation to save someone or others only warrants the Soldier's Medal in the Army.

[Two Dogs]

Glad I did not get mine. In '69 in Thailand, working in an aircon bldg, eating at the club, partying in the ville, I was scheduled for a Bronze Star. But after an all nite drinking bout with friends, I hosed the Vice Commander with a fire extinguisher when he came in for lunch. I got a great chewing out, but was told that because of my leadership, I would still get the BS, if I kept my nose clean, which I did. Of course, I did not get the Bronze, but my third Commendation Medal. As I grew older in the AF, I had the extreme pleasure of working with Green Berets and SEALS. I got a great load of war stories and of how they often got a Purple Heart and that's all for their many harrowing experiences. I would have been very embarassed to wear the Bronze Star in the presence of these warriors who deserved this award far more than I did. Now there are awards for doing almost everything. They should be given at the proper level for the proper performance. You used to be able to read a servicepersons rack and tell what they have been up to, and who has really been in the **** and who has been a REMF. Now it is like reading a passport. You can see where they have been by all the campaign and theater ribbons as well as the real awards. Got to read a lot to keep up with all the colors. There will always be Warriors and there will always be REMFs. Lets just be sure we reward the Warriors at the proper level and the REMFs at theirs. There is a real difference is what on has to do outside of the wire. Whatever, I am very proud of you all who serve. Super people.

[Hellfish]

Yeah, I don't understand all the negative comments. If it was a combat award it would have a V for Valor. It's been like this since WWII.

Can't believe all the rubbish and panty wadding over this.

During my time 66-70, a Bronze Star for or ArCom for service was a very common award.

Combat had no part in it. A "V" device denoted valor during combat.

Lacking other decorations, the powers that be decided that meritorious service often deserves note and these were the result.

Lots of folks never get near combat, but perform well and beyond the requirements of their position.
You think they should get ignored?

Very high awards like the "Legion of Merit" or Meritorious Service Medals do not involve combat.

Why does this person's *** become an issue?

Yup.

An E-6 getting a BSM is exceptional, and probably far more deserved that the O-3s, -4s and -5s who get one just for showing up on a deployment. I only know of one enlisted person in Iraq who got the BSM while I was there (she was an E-5 UAV operator who provided lots of support to the trigger pullers) but many, many, many officers who received one despite several having been relieved of all their responsibilities at least once in their tour. I also knew one AF E-6 who had two O-4s (a Navy and an Air Force) and one O-5 (Army) in her shop. She got a JCOM, they got BSMs. Guess who did all the work?

I say BZ to this E-6. She probably did more work than any officer in her shop.