[boston_clone]

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/...

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...

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[gonzoflip]

That misrepresents the process, which is why I continue to clarify.

[boston_clone]

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.

[typesarecool]

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.