The Eligibility Thread (inflation, enemy, soldiers, weapon)
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I guess Terry Lakin is a little more decorated than some have claimed in this thread.
For an O-5 at a time when have been fighting two wars for almost a decade, Lakin's decorations are mediocre at best. Most combat arms O-3s are more highly decorated than he is.
For an O-5 at a time when have been fighting two wars for almost a decade, Lakin's decorations are mediocre at best. Most combat arms O-3s are more highly decorated than he is.
There seems to be a word missing in your statement, (When have been?)I am surprised that someone as perfect as you think you are would make such a mistake.
What do you have to back this statement up or is this more opinion?
What do you have to back this statement up or is this more opinion?
Unlike you, I am not a rank amateur arguing about something I have no experience with. I am a West Point graduate, and have at least 400 friends and classmates who have made or surpassed the rank of LTC. I left the service as a Captain, and served my entire career in peacetime, and Lakin's Bronze Star is the only decoration he wears that I do not... while I wear the Humanitarian Service Ribbon which he does not also possess.
Unlike you, I am not a rank amateur arguing about something I have no experience with. I am a West Point graduate, and have at least 400 friends and classmates who have made or surpassed the rank of LTC. I left the service as a Captain, and served my entire career in peacetime, and Lakin's Bronze Star is the only decoration he wears that I do not... while I wear the Humanitarian Service Ribbon which he does not also possess.
Lakin's decorations are completely unimpressive.
So all you have is your opinion to offer as proof of your claim?
A Bronze Star awarded for valor actually has a "V" device. Without that device, it is merely a meritorious service ribbon, though one given when a person is formally in a war zone.
Seriously? I didn't know that. (Veteran, but not from the US.) Well, Lakin just dropped another notch - although (and I' desperately trying to be fair here) I guess most surgeons aren't given many possibilities to demonstrate valor, unless things go seriously wrong.
Seriously? I didn't know that. (Veteran, but not from the US.) Well, Lakin just dropped another notch - although (and I' desperately trying to be fair here) I guess most surgeons aren't given many possibilities to demonstrate valor, unless things go seriously wrong.
Well... and that's another thing.
He is a "Flight Surgeon," not a surgeon. He doesn't do surgery in the "operating room" sense. Rather than a medical specialty, it is a general practitioner role that primarily performs routine, periodic medical examinations of aviation personnel.
It is not where military medicine assigns their best and brightest.
As to the opportunity to "demonstrate valor," as a military doctor he is formally a non-combatant under the Geneva Convention.
As to the opportunity to "demonstrate valor," as a military doctor he is formally a non-combatant under the Geneva Convention.
Granted, but there is ample precedence for decorating medical personnel showing courage even if they're not engaging the enemy directly - as in, looking for and tending to the wounded under fire or when they themselves were wounded.
Granted, but there is ample precedence for decorating medical personnel showing courage even if they're not engaging the enemy directly - as in, looking for and tending to the wounded under fire or when they themselves were wounded.
Loud and clear. I was actually agreeing with you.
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