SecDef announces Distinguished Warfare Medal

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• New medal to retain place in order of precedence - 2/20/2013 • DOD releases criteria for new Distinguished Warfare Medal - 2/22/2013

SecDef announces Distinguished Warfare Medal

Posted 2/15/2013

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by Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

2/15/2013 - WASHINGTON (AFPS) -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta has approved a new medal designed to recognize service members directly affecting combat operations who may not even be on the same continent as the action.

The Distinguished Warfare Medal recognizes the changing face of warfare. In the past, few, if any, service members not actually in a combat zone directly affected combat operations.

These new capabilities have given American service members the ability to engage the enemy and change the course of battle, even from afar, Panetta said at a Pentagon news conference today.

"I've always felt -- having seen the great work that they do, day in and day out -- that those who performed in an outstanding manner should be recognized. Unfortunately, medals that they otherwise might be eligible for simply did not recognize that kind of contribution."

Now, the Defense Department does.

"The medal provides distinct, departmentwide recognition for the extraordinary achievements that directly impact on combat operations, but that do not involve acts of valor or physical risk that combat entails," Panetta said.

Technological advancements have dramatically changed how the American military conducts and supports warfighters. Unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned underwater vehicles, missile defense technology and cyber capabilities all affect combat operations while the operators may not be anywhere near the combat zone. The new medal recognizes the contributions of these service members.

It will not be awarded for acts of battlefield valor, officials said. It will be awarded in the name of the secretary of defense to members of the military whose extraordinary achievements directly impacted combat operations, and cannot be used as an end-of-tour award.

"This new medal recognizes the changing character of warfare and those who make extraordinary contributions to it," said Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "The criteria for this award will be highly selective and reflect high standards."

The most immediate example is the work of an unmanned aerial vehicle operator who could be operating a system over Afghanistan while based at Creech Air Force Base, Nev. The unmanned aerial vehicle would directly affect operations on the ground. Another example is that of a soldier at Fort Meade, Md., who detects and thwarts a cyberattack on a DOD computer system.

The medal could be used to recognize both these exceptional acts, officials said.

In the order of precedence, the Distinguished Warfare Medal will be below the Distinguished Flying Cross, and will be limited to achievements that are truly extraordinary. "The member's actions must have resulted in an accomplishment so exceptional and outstanding as to clearly set the individual apart from comrades or from other persons in similar situations," a DOD official said.

The military department secretary must approve each award, and it may not be presented for valorous actions. "This limitation was specifically included to keep the Distinguished Warfare Medal from detracting from existing valor decorations, such as the Medal of Honor, Service Crosses and Silver Star Medal," the official said.

Award criteria will be incorporated into the next revision of DOD Manual 1348.33-V3, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards, Volume 3.

Comments

2/22/2013 10:09:25 PM ET
SECAF CSAF and CMSAF now is your time to earn the respect of the Airmen . You say that Airmen are the most valuable asset the AF has now is the time to show it. If you elect to not fight for them how can you expect them to fight for you By just sitting by and drinking the same kool-aid others are your true colors will be seen. The sad part is that no one will tell you face-to-face for fear of reprisal. They will tell you what you want to hear. Remember Leaders do what others dont want to do.

Oh my..., SC

2/21/2013 12:28:33 AM ET
I don't like this at all my father was in ground combat from 1944 to 1945 in France Germany and Czechoslovakia his highest medal was the bronze star I have a copy of the award hanging in my living room I can't even imagine what he went through. Now some guy sitting in an air conditioned building in Nevada is going to get a medal rated higher than the bronze star and the purple heart. I don't care how many terrorists he killed or how many hours he sat in front of that screen how motivated he is or how well he does his job it is inconcievable to me that he or she can possibly earn a medal rated this high. Giving them a medal is ok but lets not degrade the honor of others who have risked their lives and in some cases actually been wounded in combat serving our country.

Michael Sharkey, Trier Germany

2/20/2013 4:13:33 PM ET
If a drone is shot down not a scratch for these folks....real pilots would have to eject risk capture maybe die. It is beyond ridiculous that this dec has such a high order of precedence.

Retired MSgt, Colorado

2/20/2013 11:49:36 AM ET
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Aerial Achievement Medal or Air Medal. This new medal should be the equivalent of the AAM. From what I understand AF drone pilots already get Air Medals and Aerial Achievement Medals for flying missions-- even though they don't leave their ground-mounted chairs.While I find that distasteful since it discredits the risks taken by all previous AM and AAM medal winners it is what it is. However there is no need to give them a new medal especially one so highly ranked. They have AMs and AAMs.Cyber MX and all other AFSCs that could benefit from this medal do deserve recognition. No question Chinese cyberattacks are constant and a serious issue. As is aircraft readiness. BUT... they just need a medal that is equivalent to an Air Medal or Aerial Achievement Medal. Higher than a Commendation Medal sure. But certainly not higher than a Bronze Star-- which has its own embarrassing problems bc it's given to people sitting behind de

Rob, Texas

2/20/2013 11:25:27 AM ET
And all this time I thought medals were given for going above and beyond the call of duty not simply doing the job for which you are trained.

SNCO Ret, Scott

2/20/2013 12:45:15 AM ET
I believe Jr. NCO PACAF has a good point. For those of us in lowly support roles the best we can hope for is an AFAM AFCM or MSM. I think we all understand the rationale for the medal but I feel that maybe it's time to rethink our decorations program and get rid of those medals that aren't available to all airmen i.e. DFC Air Medal AAM etc.

Wild Blue, The Big Sandbox

2/19/2013 4:39:57 PM ET
The rightful place of the Distinguished Warfare Medal is immediately under the Purple Heart and above the Defense Meritorious Medal. Combat exposure the personal execution of the battle plan where risk of life and limb exists should always receive the higher recognition. Defense Secretary Panetta needs to reconsider this placement. Too many have witnessed the extreme in line combat and have scars from it. The calluses on the index finger pale in comparison.

Joe Cordina, Parker TX

2/19/2013 12:33:03 PM ET
Is the medal warranted Yes. Is the placementlevel warranted No. Each and every member of the military brings something to the fight. From Maintainers to Security Forces to RPAs we all have our place and deserve to be recognized when deserving of such distinction. However to place another medal which will predominately be given to officers above awards that are earned in the face of danger is extremely short sighted. We make it harder for our enlisted force to promote our senior leaders decisions when we continue to only cater to one group instead of the military as a whole which is what the Purple Heart BSM and other medals already accomplish. Never forget we are one force fighting the same enemy.

Sgt, N.C

2/19/2013 11:42:06 AM ET
My only gripe is that this medal rates higher than the Bronze Star. That'd be like a National Defense Ribbon AKA the Firewatch Badge ranking higher than a Purple Heart.

jp2code, Longview TX

2/19/2013 11:27:06 AM ET
Disgraceful...I agree RPA crews need recognition but to put the merit of thier sacrafice ABOVE those actually in harms way or have been injured by enemy action is absolute insanity. The DWM...Digital Warfare Medal...might as well start awarding AFCAMs to RPACyber crews.At Sarge in Bama...I'd love to hear the whining of their struggles compared to a joe or SOF guy in the field...

Dan, Patrick

2/19/2013 11:08:56 AM ET
If we're going to have a separate medal put it below the Bronze Star and Purple Heart at a minimum. Make it equivalent to an Air Medal or a DMSM or amend their criteria to include these groups. More appropriately put it below the Commendation Medals that a lot of our Soldiers Sailors Airmen and Marines get for serving 6 months to a year in actual combat on the ground. This medal as placed is an insult to every Servicemember who has ever put his or her life on the line in actual combat.

BB, Afghanistan

2/19/2013 6:26:11 AM ET
The Remote Piloted Aviator or Cyber operator my not be exposed to enemy action--per the comments by Junior and JDP. If you agree with that assumption however they are still an integral part of the fight. RP Aviators have taken out insurgents with the weapons available to them on the Predator and other vehicles helping troops on the ground achieve their missions. The Cyber operator has the ability to take out communication systems power grida and other actions that aid the in the fight warriors. Think about recent news media on the impact of the Stuxnet virus on the centrifuges in Iran. I don't know if the US did or did not take this action but it was effective. Why discount the capabilities these people bring to the fight Are they less of an integral part of the force I would venture not. Junior as for the flight suits using your analogy then missile operators are not entitled to wear the suit either as they are 60 ft underground and are not exposted to the dangers of

Retired Chief, Europe

2/18/2013 10:22:10 AM ET
Junior at Scott AFB if you knew how difficult the job of those people is you would not say such things. I do not blame you though. Before I got the chance to be a PME instructor and hear snippets of the struggles they face I would have said such things too.

Sarge, Bama

2/18/2013 9:15:24 AM ET
It saddens me to not see a single mention in the article about maintainers. Apparently keeping the jets flying on a day to day basis and making 1 time flights happen to save lives isn't in this new medals guidelines. Maintainers work themselves to death making sure all air-frames can get to and from the AOR. I would hope to see some MXG commanders pushing these through for their Airmans exceptional actions because honestly I can see many maintenance actions directly impacting combat action on a regular basis.

Jr. NCO, PACAF

2/18/2013 8:27:37 AM ET
I am not against this decoration but putting just below the DFC is mind boggling. Additionally how is it possible this is above the Purple Heart This is an insult to men and now women who actually go into harm's way. May I suggest just below the Air Force Longevity Award

Scott V, Eglin

2/18/2013 1:26:46 AM ET
While there probably is a need to recognize the changing nature of warfare this award should not be above the Bronze Star or the Purple Heart but should instead be below. There is a petition to this effect at the White House website. httpspetitions.whitehouse.govpetitionlower-precedence-new-distinguished-warfare-medal5KdnkBBN

KAR, CA

2/17/2013 1:19:05 PM ET
Good. The DWM recognizes that the nature of warfare has changed and that cyberspace and RPAUAV operators can directly create effects that influence combat operations. The DWM preserves the integrity of combat-related medals that require heroism or valor such as the Silver Star.

TSgt J, Fairchild AFB WA

2/17/2013 4:22:01 AM ET
I heard this new medal is going to be placed higher in precedence than the Purple Heart Or bronze star. I'm sorry but flying a drone from the safety of your base in Nevada does not have more valor than someone risking life and limb and dying or getting injured in real combat where the enemy can fire back and actually harm you. Don't get me wrong I believe what they do and have done is important but they seriously need to rethink its importance when it comes to display. Being that I sustained serious wounds from a gunshot to the pelvis I feel like its a slap in the face to tell me someone who was safe back in the states and got to see their family and eat real meals everyday rates a medal of higher precedence than my Purple Heart granted it was not the medal I wanted to earn.

Cpl Robert Hamilton, Camp Lejuene

2/16/2013 2:30:42 PM ET
I strongly agree with the previous comments. There is nothing wrong with valuing special service for the operators honoured by this medal but the ranking is all wrong Those who put their lives on the line for their country deserve better than that

Paul Winkler, Kingston Canada

2/16/2013 10:52:30 AM ET
If you are complaining you are complaining out of ignorance. The majority of UAV pilots are stationed in theater no more than 1-50k from enemy contact. The airforce 's predator gets all the hype and yes it can be and is normally flown from the states...however the army fields hundreds of rq7-b shadow UAV platforms flying nonstop in theater saving hundreds of american soldiers lives. This award sounds extremely hard to get anyway and I doubt I'll ever seen one or any one that I know.

SGT Williams, Ft. Campbell Ky

2/16/2013 12:02:28 AM ET
WOW what a slap in the face to all of those Soldiers Sailors Airmen and Marines who have been awarded the Soldiers Medal Navy Marine Corps Medal Airmens Medal and Coast Guard Medal It is even going to be senior to the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. These are VALOROUS awards. Any Service member awarded one of the awards that I just listed is far more deserving than someone who sat behind a desk or flew a drone in complete safety. While these service members deserve recognition for their contribution the DWM goes to far. The Military already has a medal that is junior to all of valorous awards it is the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. If the awards criteria for the DMSM is too limiting to include the service members sitting behind the desk then change the criteria to include their actions. Do Not Cheapen the acts of BRAVERY and HEROISM of the fine men and women by making this one senior. This just goes to show that in todays military it is more about the look o

Paul McKeever, Michigan

2/15/2013 4:57:11 PM ET
Sounds like a couple of people demonstrating their jealousy and showing their ignorance. Thanks for showing us the same respect as the hippies showed Vietnam vets. All we're doing is the job we were hired and trained to do by the Air Force and if the Department of Defense wants to recognize us for that hard work than so be it.

TSgt MQ1 SO, Creech

2/15/2013 4:27:52 PM ET
I agree in principle with the award but the order of precedence is completely out of line. Really This award is better than the Bronze Star. Actual combat vs. Chairborne combat C'mon it's a slap in the face to our combat troops.

D, McConnell AFB KS

2/15/2013 3:26:32 PM ET
I am all for recognizing deserving individuals but really A medal for folks working on a computer What is next...combat pay for secretaries We went through this in the mid 90's because folks were getting Bronze Stars for planning missions from the comfort of their home station cubicles. Leadership recognized that giving medals to folks just for doing their jobs was not the right way of doing business. On a side not why do RPA operators wear flight suits anyway I believe flight suits are for people who may be exposed to the dangers of an aircraft fire. I have not heard of any Conex's catching on fire lately.Cheers

Junior, Scott AFB IL

2/15/2013 2:55:11 PM ET
So purple hearts for carpel tunnel

JDP, TX

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