Brit General proposes medal to acknowledge Courageous Restraint

[HeyJoe]

So the survivors of those killed when couragous restraint is exercised and bad guys are allowed to detonate an explosive (say at a checkpoint) get a Purple Heart, flag and a Courageous Restraint medal. Some consolation and something those with evil intent could use against coalition forces.

 

[phrogdriver]

All right. That's just D-U-M, dumb.

If "courageous restraint" is called for, and is successful, then it should already rate some kind of award or reward.

I can't see the value in making a separate award for NOT taking action. Seems like an invitation for truck bombers.

I thought the British were against American-style awards proliferation.

 

[BlkPny]

These are the people that gave us Monty Python.

 

[nittany03]

These are the people that gave us Monty Python.

Monty Python was funny.

 

[Hozer]

 

[HueyCobra8151]

Key word: Courage. Plenty of medals out there for that, in various degrees of awesomeness.

Zzzzzzzzzz.

 

[KBayDog]

Key word: Courage.

It puts the "ape" in "ape-ricot."

 

[A4sForever]

I remember a plow-back generated patch that summed up the concept of 'courageous restraint' quite nicely in the ol' days:

 

[picklesuit]

Do we give the same medal to the Sailors who transit the SOH and get pestered by Iranians?

 

[OUSOONER]

Do we give the same medal to the Sailors who transit the SOH and get pestered by Iranians?

I guess my on-wing should have to get one then.

 

[Scoob]

Do we give the same medal to the Sailors who transit the SOH and get pestered by Iranians?

Excellent point, but technically, that restraint is only "disciplined" not "courageous".

 

[eas7888]

I don't understand how one could adequately define "Courageous Restraint." As was mentioned before, restraint is a matter of discipline. It's something that is practiced, taught, ingrained into soldiers from the time they learn to fire a rifle. IDENTIFY your target, select an appropriate level of force, engage your target. If you are unable to identify or engage your target (for whatever reason), then you exercise restraint and do not fire your weapon.

This is another case of trying to reward soldiers for doing their job. If I wanted to award soldiers for doing their job, I'll give them a damn certificate of completion. "Congratulations, you completed a tour of duty in ________________ without killing innocent civilians. You have an IQ level higher than a cockroach."

 

[HercDriver]

This seems crazy.

Now if it was a Medal of Discretion, which is the better part of valor, I would go with it.

 

[snake020]

Cowardice award

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/05/12/military.restraint.medal/index.html?hpt=T2

As if we don't have enough medals going out, now we want to give one for NOT doing what our boys are trained to do when they go to war? Are we going to give out perfect attendance medals next?

These are the generals leading NATO? This is outrageous.

 

[ryan1234]

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/05/12/military.restraint.medal/index.html?hpt=T2

As if we don't have enough medals going out, now we want to give one for NOT doing what our boys are trained to do when they go to war? Are we going to give out perfect attendance medals next?

These are the generals leading NATO? This is outrageous.

"That should produce a great deal of posthumous awards"