Medal petition for injured servicemen & women

[Kaiser]

Hello everyone,

I would like to ask you all to sign this petition on behalf of the injured and killed servicemen and women.  Here is the petition statement and also the link.

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to introduce a
     new medal for service men and women injured or killed whilst
     serving on operational duties.

     It is time that the injuries & deaths suffered by our armed
     forces are recognised in the shape of a medal which recognises
     the sacrafice made by a service man or woman whilst carrying
     out operational duties.

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/injuredmedal/


Cheers

Kaiser

[Chris Houston]

What is the current criteria for medals?

[Tony]

Like the US Purple Heart?  None of my military friends or family think much of the idea.  I'm ex Army. as are my sons.  Admittedly a different Army to the one you're talking about, but it runs on very similar lines.  

And Chris?  There are decorations for gallantry, various levels up to the Victoria Cross;  there are campaign medals to show that a person has served in a war zone; there are general service and long service medals.

[nearlythere]

Like the US Purple Heart?  None of my military friends or family think much of the idea.  I'm ex Army. as are my sons.  Admittedly a different Army to the one you're talking about, but it runs on very similar lines.  

And Chris?  There are decorations for gallantry, various levels up to the Victoria Cross;  there are campaign medals to show that a person has served in a war zone; there are general service and long service medals.

I believe the yanks get one for flying over the Atlantic.

[Chris Houston]

While I am sure the intentions are honourable, I'm not convinved this is the right criteria for reward (getting injured or killed).  Being brave or heroic, avoiding unnecessary suffering, bringing wars to a quicker end, saving others, bring smart and things like that should be rewarded, and it may follow that by being brave or herioc one gets injured in the process, but to reward the actual act of being injured seems a little bit weird, does the admin guy who falls down the stairs deserve a medal if it is in a war zone, does a soldier who does something daft and get's shot deserve a medal, or should it go to those who are brave and heroic........

[wee brian]

Chief fire officers get knighthoods just for turning up to work.

[Tony]

As our Yank mates would say, different strokes for different folks.  They have a very different view of decorations and medals.  I'll stick to the system we inherited from Britain.  

My military service ribbons do look good on my pale blue uniform shirt.  No campaign ribbons, what I do now puts me in far more danger than I saw in the Army (I was your admin guy Chris, not even in the war zone).  Hmm, perhaps we should get a sort of 'campaign medal' after a certain number of live incidents?  I might contact my local MP...

[Mr. P]

Chief fire officers get knighthoods just for turning up to work.

Turning up to what? (Sorry, that W word again!).
Apparently the US get one for 24 hrs in battle/risk theatre. Or even just flying by a zone!

[Chris Houston]

I think I deserve a medal for moderating this board!  

(joking, I do love it really!)

[skevans]

The current system for medal applications in this country is stringent and based on accurately reflecting the efforts of the individual.

When it comes to campaign medals there is a requirement for the serviceman to be deployed wihin a certain geographical area, calculated by risk, for a minimum number of continuous days. Normally set these days at 28.

[steve walker]

A campaign medal says that you have served in a combat area. A gallantry medal is an honour given to you because you did something extraordinary. Do we need to add another category, probably not.

[skevans]

I agree Steve.