Pentagon set to announce new award for military drone operators; troops could be upgraded to Medals of Honor

 

The Pentagon is set to announce a new award for military drone operators, part of a medal overhaul set to involve the review of 1,100 military decorations issued for possible upgrades to the Medal of Honor, according to reports.
The proposed changes — first reported by USA Today — are part of a review of how the military services bestow medals.
The review was ordered in 2014 by then-Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. The measures need to be approved by current secretary Ash Carter.
The potential upgrades to Medal of Honor, the government's highest military decoration, are the most controversial aspect of the reforms — and would require the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps to

re-examine Service Cross and Silver Star nominations awarded since the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks, USA Today reports.

The Navy and Marine Corps oppose a review of awarded medals, stating that the system would undermine commanders' decisions, according to USA Today.
Officials say there's no indication troops were inappropriately given awards. But commanders increasingly approved higher awards as the wars dragged on, so some earlier recipients may be owed the more prestigious Medal of Honor.
The proposed changes could be announced Thursday.
The government has struggled to reach a consensus on how to recognize service by drone pilots and cyber warriors.
The Pentagon in 2013 unveiled plans for a valor award, the Distinguished Warfare Medal, designed to honor drone pilots and off-site troops — but the honor was dubbed the "Nintendo medal" and criticized due to its rank above battlefield honors such as the Bronze Star.
The medal was scrapped, and instead, a device was added for existing medals specifically honoring drone pilots.