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While anecdotal, every single O3 and higher in my company received one after our OEF rotation, despite spending their entire time on KAF and not at COPs or FOBs

While anecdotal, every single O3 and higher in my company received one after our OEF rotation, despite spending their entire time on KAF and not at COPs or FOBs. Here's an excerpt from the Military Times describing changes to awarding criteria: "The policy changes also seek to tighten the criteria for awarding the Bronze Star specifically, a combat award that can be presented without a “V,” and often was throughout the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, for “meritorious” performance. https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2017/03/30/12-military-awards-now-eligible-for-new-c-and-r-devices-and-2-no-longer-rate-a-v/ https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2017/03/30/... And here's some details about Pete's own awards: "The first Bronze Star was awarded to Mr. Hegseth for his assignment in Iraq as a rifle platoon leader in Iraq from September 2005 to July 2006. The citation noted his “professionalism and commitment to excellence” while he was with the 101st Airborne Division. He received the second Bronze Star in 2012 after serving as a counterinsurgency instructor in Afghanistan." https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/dec/6/pete-hegseth-medal-flap-puts-focus-takes-earn-bron/ https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/dec/6/pete-hegseth... Nothing valorous. He was a PL that did his job, then a teacher in Kabul. And the dude is still a christo-fascist with a drinking problem.

gonzoflip 2y ago
OK, so they are not automatically awarded then? EDIT: How about CIBs? are they automatically awarded for officers that never leave the wire?
- boston_clone 2y ago
  I think that's a strawman about my use of the word "automatic"; my point is that it's not indicative of anything special as they were awarded without needing a qualifying event like you'd see with a V device, silver star, LoM, MoH, etc. Him denigrating fellow soldiers and being grossly unqualified to even communicate properly in his role are also concerns, but somewhat off-topic.
  - gonzoflip 2y ago
    It is not a strawman, you literally said the awards are automatic, which is untrue on it's face. The vast majority of HN users are not veterans, and likely would not know that what you said is untrue.
    - boston_clone 2y ago
      What I said in full is: "automatically awarded to O3s / O4s for a deployment", which is pretty clear and backed by both the linked articles and my first-hand experience.
      - typesarecool 2y ago
        My point was that he served in Iraq and has more "real" experience than being a prison guard. This doesn't mean he has enough experience to run the DoD of course, but I wanted to add that because it's misrepresenting a vet who served a deployment.
      - gonzoflip 2y ago
        That misrepresents the process, which is why I continue to clarify.
        boston_clone 2y ago
        Typing a comment isn't the same as providing a source; I've provided two that support my claim. You're welcome to try again, but it's too early for bad faith arguments so you won't get any more replies.
        gonzoflip 2y ago
        >Bad faith You literally misrepresented the truth then provided 2 articles, neither of which backed up you original claim. All because you evidently don't like someone. The only claim I made is that the awards are not automatic, which we both know is true. Regardless, my source that Bronze Stars are not automatically awarded is AR 600–8–22.

gonzoflip 2y ago

OK, so they are not automatically awarded then? EDIT: How about CIBs? are they automatically awarded for officers that never leave the wire?

boston_clone 2y ago
I think that's a strawman about my use of the word "automatic"; my point is that it's not indicative of anything special as they were awarded without needing a qualifying event like you'd see with a V device, silver star, LoM, MoH, etc. Him denigrating fellow soldiers and being grossly unqualified to even communicate properly in his role are also concerns, but somewhat off-topic.
- gonzoflip 2y ago
  It is not a strawman, you literally said the awards are automatic, which is untrue on it's face. The vast majority of HN users are not veterans, and likely would not know that what you said is untrue.
  - boston_clone 2y ago
    What I said in full is: "automatically awarded to O3s / O4s for a deployment", which is pretty clear and backed by both the linked articles and my first-hand experience.
    - typesarecool 2y ago
      My point was that he served in Iraq and has more "real" experience than being a prison guard. This doesn't mean he has enough experience to run the DoD of course, but I wanted to add that because it's misrepresenting a vet who served a deployment.
    - gonzoflip 2y ago
      That misrepresents the process, which is why I continue to clarify.
      - boston_clone 2y ago
        Typing a comment isn't the same as providing a source; I've provided two that support my claim. You're welcome to try again, but it's too early for bad faith arguments so you won't get any more replies.
        gonzoflip 2y ago
        >Bad faith You literally misrepresented the truth then provided 2 articles, neither of which backed up you original claim. All because you evidently don't like someone. The only claim I made is that the awards are not automatic, which we both know is true. Regardless, my source that Bronze Stars are not automatically awarded is AR 600–8–22.