Ebola and Dr. Thomas Geisbart. Should he receive a military medal?

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 17:59:51 -0500

Benjamin Franklin: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

I came across this article in the Stars and Stripes about Dr. Geisbart and his contributions in the fight against Ebola. It appears that this has been a selfless pursuit in figuring out how to combat this menace.

It also begs the question as to whether he should have some kind of military recognition for his work. Perhaps a Commendation Medal or some kind of legacy for saving a lot of lives.

And for our Service Members who went there to help. Is there any merit to those individuals getting recognition for potentially contracting this horrific disease.

What is your take? Should these heroes (of a kind) be awarded military honors or not? Comments?

http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/launch.aspx?pbid=3b575186-6a56-49a1-897b-236387c14f19

IMHO - Tackling this disease as it claims thousands of lives is humanitarian and who can deny the need in Africa, where poverty makes Sierra Leone and surrounding countries an important issue.

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Response by LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® made Jan 3 at 2015 6:15 PM

LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 18:15:12 -0500

I think for service members definitely should get some recognition. But for civilians I believe there is another type of award system they may get. I think it is important that we separate civilians and service members in what awards they receive. This way we honor those have served and acknowledge the work civilians have done too.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jan 3 at 2015 7:55 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 19:55:13 -0500

There are instances when someone could be awarded a military award, not so sure I'd recommend it here. A more appropriate award might be the Secretary (of State) Distinguished Service Award.

Ass far as service members, they will typically merit a Humanitarian Service Medal for supporting this type of mission. Their individual contributions might merit an additional award while the unit could merit a unit award as well.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2015 8:04 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 20:04:17 -0500

We provide civilian awards and financial bonuses for many of our civilians. I'd prefer a $2000 bonus to an AAM!

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Jan 3 at 2015 9:47 PM

SSG V. Michelle Woods — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 21:47:57 -0500

In my opinion, no they shouldn't receive a military medal.

As far as merit into civilians getting recognition, please allow the photo to speak. The airmen here is training the healthcare workers on how to work in an Ebola treatment unit. It was stifling humid, almost suffocating just being in this building and wearing the ACUs. But these healthcare workers here...EVERY inch of their bodies are covered in addition to wearing a mask and caring for the sick. Cleaning up their bodily wastes while pouring gallons of your own sweat into a suit in sometimes disgusting conditions and working exhausting shifts...They dont need a medal, they need food and water and supplies.

Believe me, the fight is real especially for them and they deserve much more than a medal.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Jan 3 at 2015 9:58 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 21:58:09 -0500

If they give ARCOM's for web browsing, I hope they can do better......