Hold fire, earn a medal

[OakRidgeStars]

This should lead to some interesting discussion. Some are already calling this the "Yellow Heart" medal.

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http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/05/m ... 051110mar/

Hold fire, earn a medal

By William H. McMichael - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday May 12, 2010


U.S. troops in Afghanistan could soon be awarded a medal for not doing something, a precedent-setting award that would be given for “courageous restraint” for holding fire to save civilian lives.

The proposal is now circulating in the Kabul headquarters of the International Security Assistance Force, a command spokesman confirmed Tuesday.

“The idea is consistent with our approach,” explained Air Force Lt. Col. Tadd Sholtis. “Our young men and women display remarkable courage every day, including situations where they refrain from using lethal force, even at risk to themselves, in order to prevent possible harm to civilians. In some situations our forces face in Afghanistan, that restraint is an act of discipline and courage not much different than those seen in combat actions.”

Soldiers are often recognized for non-combat achievement with decorations such as their service’s commendation medal. But most of the highest U.S. military decorations are for valor in combat. A medal to recognize a conscious effort to avoid a combat action would be unique.

Consideration of such an award, first reported by an Associated Press reporter in Afghanistan, doesn’t mean that, if approved, troops would be pressured to prevent such casualties at risk to themselves, Sholtis said.

“We absolutely support the right of our forces to defend themselves,” Sholtis said. “Valuing restraint in a potentially dangerous situation is not the same thing as denying troops the right to employ lethal force when they determine that it is necessary.”

A spokesman for the 2.2 million-member Veterans of Foreign Wars, the nation’s largest group of combat veterans, thinks the award would cause confusion among the ranks and send a bad signal.

“The self-protections built into the rules of engagement are clear, and the decision to return fire must be made instantly based on training and the threat,” said Joe Davis, a spokesman for the Veterans of Foreign Wars. “The enemy already hides among noncombatants, and targets them, too. The creation of such an award will only embolden their actions and put more American and noncombatant lives in jeopardy. Let’s not rush to create something that no one wants to present posthumously.”

Giving a medal for restraint was proposed by British Maj. Gen. Nick Carter, ISAF’s Regional Command South commander, during a recent visit to Kandahar by Army Command Sgt. Maj. Mike Hall, the top U.S. enlisted member in Afghanistan, Sholtis said.

U.S. Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the ISAF commander, has placed a premium on preventing civilian deaths, having last year tightened the rules of engagement for air strikes and other combat operations in an effort to prevent fatalities. Such deaths build resentment among a populace the U.S. is trying to win over as part of its counterinsurgency strategy to simultaneously drive out the Taliban and strengthen Afghan government.

According to the United Nations, more than 2,400 civilians were killed last year, although estimates vary widely. From March 21 to April 21, 173 civilians were killed in Afghanistan — a 33 percent increase over the same period the previous year — according to the Associated Press, citing Afghan Interior Ministry figures.

[Chasbo00]

A restraint award, just how PC can you get?

[VBshooter]

It's getting almost time to tell these jackasses to either shut up and let us do our job or good bye. Statements like this are from a populace that I truly wonder if they even want us there, Hell there president threw a hissy and threatened to join Al Queda over some BS disagreement with us. If it was up to me we would have been gone that day.. The idea of restraint came from a British Maj.General, Hmm.....How many troops does the United Kingdom have in Afgahanistan? Another dumbell that should keep his mouth shut and let us fight the war to win the damn thing,,,

"Such deaths build resentment among a populace the U.S. is trying to win over as part of its counterinsurgency strategy to simultaneously drive out the Taliban and strengthen Afghan government."

[zephyp]

This isnt all that bad...in some places they cannot even carry a weapon...so, there is no decision about whether or not to shoot...you cant shoot if you dont have a weapon...

[OakRidgeStars]

That's just what our troops need... A combat Gun Free Zone

[zephyp]

That's just what our troops need... A combat Gun Free Zone

Well for some places in Afghanistan they indeed have this right now and it is not a joke...sadly for some of our heroes it is just the way it is...the higher ups dont want to offend the locals...so they dont let the troops carry weapons...

[VBshooter]

I cant imagine having to tell a kids parents he was killed because of some damn popularity contest over there that says we can't shoot back when we have to beacuse the locals may not like us.. Well golly gee,that sure is more important than a soldiers life aint' it???????????????

[OakRidgeStars]

I'd say that most of the medals will be awarded posthumously.