It took Greg and I a couple of days to figure out why my total time was so high
Greg is a saint, and the whole east coast would crumble without him.
It took Greg and I a couple of days to figure out why my total time was so high
All in all, who gives a shit if their time is coded differently for combat or not? The total flight time doesn’t count for shit anyway. It’s not like you’re competing against these guys for anything. Their service doesn’t weaken yours...And a dude in a predator in Vegas still has more kills than an EP-3 flying over Afghanistan anyway, so who gives a shit?
Drone pilots also exhibit PTSD at the same rates as those in "combat."And a dude in a predator in Vegas still has more kills than an EP-3 flying over Afghanistan anyway, so who gives a shit?
“I went home that night, and I knew what I did,” said Evan. “I think to the outside community, something like this will give a sense of perspective.”
“I went home that night, and I knew what I did,” said Evan. “I think to the outside community, something like this will give a sense of perspective.”
I think I got a different perspective than what Evans intended.
If we are talking Air Medal-ish types of awards, than your 90% figure is pretty far off in some communities. Most of our Medevac and Apache pilots who have deployed have killed someone or loaded someone dying into the back of their aircraft. Depending on the deployment, I would guess 25-50% have been shot at. Air Assault ring route guys might get closer to your 90% figure.There is a fear that exists when you’re in a combat zone, no doubt. But 90% of those in a combat zone are never put in a position where they’re witnessing death or where their life is on the line anyway. That 90% have never had to kill anyone.
Whereas 90% of drone operators have killed people in “combat”.
They kill a lot of fucking people -and killing isn’t an easy thing to do...regardless of the method being used. Read “on Killing” by LT Col Dave Grossman he goes into a lot of depth of the psychology of killing someone. Pretty damn interesting.
Lastly-I think it’d be worse facing your wife and kids after a day of killing then it would be going back to the FOB
If we are talking Air Medal-ish types of awards, than your 90% figure is pretty far off in some communities. Most of our Medevac and Apache pilots who have deployed have killed someone or loaded someone dying into the back of their aircraft. Depending on the deployment, I would guess 25-50% have been shot at. Air Assault ring route guys might get closer to your 90% figure.
I understand the PTSD thing. Our unit transitioned from Apaches to Medevac H-60s, so we have guys in our unit who have done both. Some could handle the killing. Some could handle the blood and guts of medevac. Some couldn't. We get guys who have never left the FOB with PTSD. Resiliency is not their strong point. But are these PTSD awards or put-yourself-in-physical-danger awards? Traditionally they have been considered the latter. It's easy to see why we don't give out mental health Purple Hearts. So we give Air Medals with R devices.
The going home thing. Maybe the mental transition IS difficult for the remote pilot. Is it more difficult than going back to a CHU and getting rocketed or mortared? Ehhh. Probably not. Probably only someone who has experienced this both in person and remotely could say for sure which is worse. I've got to put my money that doing it up close and personal is going to be worse. But again, PTSD award or put-yourself-in-danger award?
I'm not heartless and I am not saying remote pilots don't deserve something. I'm just of the opinion it shouldn't be the same something for those who put themselves in danger. The "R" seems to be a decent attempt to fix that. It's the "Air Medal" part that doesn't sit as well with me.
I’m not talking about medals. I don’t think they should get air medals, I think something separate is appropriate...and has already been deemed so.If we are talking Air Medal-ish types of awards, than your 90% figure is pretty far off in some communities. Most of our Medevac and Apache pilots who have deployed have killed someone or loaded someone dying into the back of their aircraft. Depending on the deployment, I would guess 25-50% have been shot at. Air Assault ring route guys might get closer to your 90% figure.
I understand the PTSD thing. Our unit transitioned from Apaches to Medevac H-60s, so we have guys in our unit who have done both. Some could handle the killing. Some could handle the blood and guts of medevac. Some couldn't. We get guys who have never left the FOB with PTSD. Resiliency is not their strong point. But are these PTSD awards or put-yourself-in-physical-danger awards? Traditionally they have been considered the latter. It's easy to see why we don't give out mental health Purple Hearts. So we give Air Medals with R devices.
The going home thing. Maybe the mental transition IS difficult for the remote pilot. Is it more difficult than going back to a CHU and getting rocketed or mortared? Ehhh. Probably not. Probably only someone who has experienced this both in person and remotely could say for sure which is worse. I've got to put my money that doing it up close and personal is going to be worse. But again, PTSD award or put-yourself-in-danger award?
I'm not heartless and I am not saying remote pilots don't deserve something. I'm just of the opinion it shouldn't be the same something for those who put themselves in danger. The "R" seems to be a decent attempt to fix that. It's the "Air Medal" part that doesn't sit as well with me.
Why? They’re unrestricted line officers. A SWO who sits in an admin office on a ship gets a device, as does a VQ NFO in the back of a plane. I don’t disagree about a medal...but if we’re giving IDC an intel warfare devices than these dudes should certainly get some. How many people have you killed? I’ll bet it’s far less than them.it’s bad enough they’ve got thier own wings now.
Uh . . . no, nice try though.A SWO who sits in an admin office on a ship gets a device, as does a VQ NFO in the back of a plane.
Uh . . . no, nice try though.
You’re an idiot. SWO’s earn their warfare device just like you do, as do VQ NFO’s. If you think your 1310 designator makes you “more” special that the two examples you cited, then, I say again, you’re an idiot.What’s your point? “NO ...NICE TRY” how about an intelligent response.
They’re not pilots, so what. But they’re doing more shit than most of us...especially VQ NFOs
You’re an idiot. SWO’s earn their warfare device just like you do, as do VQ NFO’s. If you think your 1310 designator makes you “more” special that the two examples you cited, then, I say again, you’re an idiot.
I’m not talking about medals. I don’t think they should get air medals, I think something separate is appropriate...and has already been deemed so.
Meaning the question has been answered and silly to argue.
I’m talking about the viewpoint that what they’re doing is diminutive and without affects to both the benefit of the military and harmful to themselves
Why? They’re unrestricted line officers. A SWO who sits in an admin office on a ship gets a device, as does a VQ NFO in the back of a plane. I don’t disagree about a medal...but if we’re giving IDC an intel warfare devices than these dudes should certainly get some. How many people have you killed? I’ll bet it’s far less than them.
Their wings aren’t the same as yours-so who seriously gives a flying fuck!If you’re aircrew and fly an aircraft you should have wings. If you sit at a station on the deck, you shouldn’t. Wings = Fly. It’s pretty simple.
The Navy and more specifically the USAF’s penchant for everyone having Boy Scout badges is starting bleed into the Corps and it’s not required. Same deal for MARSOC. Not required and I’ve literally heard those guys say one of the only reasons they have it is to have credibility when working amongst other services.
Since you want to bring body counts into the equation... why does that qualify one to wear wings? I know plenty of Marines who have killed the enemy but do not have a warfare device.