Posted on Jul 10, 2015
How does the community feel about the Purple Heart today?
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Just wanted to hear the thoughts on the Purple Heart and how easy it seems they give them out. For those who have been awarded them in the past. Is it insulting to you the way it is being handled now?
Awards
Purple Heart
Honor
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 4
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I'm not exactly sure how they are being awarded now but a few of my buddies received them due to TBI. My friends were completely different after the blast or in many cases blasts. So in that regards its not insulting at all. I would hope that soldiers would have enough respect for the award to turn it down if it was for something not life threatening.
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I believe that this particular issue is raised during every "Combat Period" since WW II. This is, however, the first time that the country has been at war that every Purple Heart is documented and played up online and, in some cases, on local radio and television.
Maybe the problem is that we live in an information era, which means that, for right or for wrong, a lot of statistics are out there, and for not only civilians to use. Could it be that some Commanders feel that their units need to have a certain number of Purple Heart nominees / recipients to keep up with other commands? When the Unit looks better, more awards for example, doesn't it make the Commander look better for his / her next Promotion Board?
I'm not saying it's true, but it is a hypothesis that could possibly explain the feelings expressed in your question, SSgt Kenneth Vance.
P.S. I do love conspiracy theories........
Maybe the problem is that we live in an information era, which means that, for right or for wrong, a lot of statistics are out there, and for not only civilians to use. Could it be that some Commanders feel that their units need to have a certain number of Purple Heart nominees / recipients to keep up with other commands? When the Unit looks better, more awards for example, doesn't it make the Commander look better for his / her next Promotion Board?
I'm not saying it's true, but it is a hypothesis that could possibly explain the feelings expressed in your question, SSgt Kenneth Vance.
P.S. I do love conspiracy theories........
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SSgt (Join to see)
SGT Robert Gresham, your response is very insightful and I do find it interesting. To add to It could my generation and the ones to come be making it worse with the constant need for the "participation award?
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PVT Robert Gresham
I think it is only natural to want something, especially if that "something" will also further your goals. It is most assuredly up to the chain-of-command to step up and say whether an award is warranted or not. The whole crux of the matter is whether Commanders look better on Officer reviews when more soldiers under their command receive higher awards.
I just honestly don't know the answer to the question. Although, I have seen O-2s and O-3s who have taken almost verbatim "bullets" from the old NCOERs of enlisted members, from their section, and used them to describe what the Officer did when applying for other positions, or writing resumes.
I just honestly don't know the answer to the question. Although, I have seen O-2s and O-3s who have taken almost verbatim "bullets" from the old NCOERs of enlisted members, from their section, and used them to describe what the Officer did when applying for other positions, or writing resumes.
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SSgt (Join to see), I'm not sure where you're getting this information from. I know plenty of wounded warriors who have gotten Purple Hearts.
And if what you say IS true, it isn't a new thing. Look at Secretary of State John Kerry's own Purple Heart for an example.
And if what you say IS true, it isn't a new thing. Look at Secretary of State John Kerry's own Purple Heart for an example.
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SSgt (Join to see)
To me it would seem that it is. It appears that the requirements for the medal have been relaxed allowing more of them to be presented. I hold a high regard for this award but after witnessing it being presented to an individual who broke a thumb during an operation that was being conducted makes me wonder about the award and really our society. I wounder if the relaxed standards come from societies need for the "participation award" and the one incident I have listed is not isolated I have seen a couple like it since I've been in. I guess it just leaves me wondering if it has been happening all across the board or if I have just had some bad encounters.
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Capt Seid Waddell
SSgt (Join to see), my question was whether or not this is new. There have always been those that milked the system.
"Two injuries – a small bruise on his right arm and a minor injury to his buttocks – won Kerry his Third Purple Heart and a trip home. However, the vets say, the wound to his buttocks was self-inflicted and should never have received Purple Heart consideration."
OTOH there was a soldier in Viet Nam on Monkey Mountain that got a Purple Heart for a gunshot wound but he refused to wear the medal. There were rumors of a back story about the incident, but I never heard how it came out.
John Kerry's 'self-inflicted' Purple Heart, Bronze Star
http://www.wnd.com/2004/08/26004/
"Two injuries – a small bruise on his right arm and a minor injury to his buttocks – won Kerry his Third Purple Heart and a trip home. However, the vets say, the wound to his buttocks was self-inflicted and should never have received Purple Heart consideration."
OTOH there was a soldier in Viet Nam on Monkey Mountain that got a Purple Heart for a gunshot wound but he refused to wear the medal. There were rumors of a back story about the incident, but I never heard how it came out.
John Kerry's 'self-inflicted' Purple Heart, Bronze Star
http://www.wnd.com/2004/08/26004/
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SSgt (Join to see)
Capt Seid Waddell, to add to the question is it something that we are starting to see more of. That is to say have the number of "system milkers" increased as the younger generations have come into the military? I do have the up most respect for the men and women who have earned there Purple Hart and would give any one of them the shirt off my back if It could help them. Personal tho I get a very nasty sick feeling in my stomach when I come across ones who have less than stellar surcomstainces surrounding there award.
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Capt Seid Waddell
SSgt (Join to see), I agree. However, I have no way to know how common it is today to milk the system, and if it is worse than it has been in earlier wars.
In my day it was one award that nobody wanted; it was for zigging when you should have been zagging. That being said, it is still the red badge of courage.
In my day it was one award that nobody wanted; it was for zigging when you should have been zagging. That being said, it is still the red badge of courage.
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