WASHINGTON (AFNS) —
Air Force officials announced nomination criteria for the new Remote Combat Effects Campaign Medal following the official establishment of the decoration May 22.
The new medal, established by then-Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson, is part of a continuing effort to recognize U.S. Air Force military members in a non-deployed status who directly participated in a Department of Defense combat operation from a remote location.
“Our remote operations community makes vital contributions to our national security and the security of our allies,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein. “These Airmen play a crucial role in every campaign we undertake, and this medal is for them.”
The RCECM will be awarded to Airmen serving in remotely piloted aircraft, cyber, space and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance career fields, who create direct combat effects from remote locations and lead to strategic outcomes or the delivery of lethal force. In some circumstances, Airmen from other career fields may be considered for the RCECM, which will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Service members may be awarded the RCECM for actions completed on or after Sept. 11, 2001, while also serving under the following conditions:
1) Was assigned or attached to a unit directly in support of a DoD combat operation as approved by the chief of staff of the Air Force (listed below)
2) Was serving in a remotely piloted aircraft; cyber; space or intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance career field
3) Personally provided hands-on employment of a weapon system that has direct and immediate impact on combat operations
4) Was not physically exposed to hostile actions or at risk of exposure to hostile action
Qualifying DoD combat operations:
• Enduring Freedom, Sept. 11, 2001 – to be determined
• Iraqi Freedom, March 29, 2003 – Aug. 31, 2010
• New Dawn, Sept. 1, 2010 – Dec. 31, 2011
• Nomad Shadow, Nov. 5, 2007 – TBD
• Freedom’s Sentinel, Jan. 1, 2015 – TBD
• Inherent Resolve, June 15, 2014 – TBD
• Odyssey Lightning, Aug. 1, 2016 – Dec. 19, 2016
• Pacific Eagle – Philippines, Oct. 5, 2017 – TBD
Airmen who have received a DoD or Air Force campaign or expeditionary medal or ribbon for the same period of service are not eligible to receive the RCECM.
For more information and full eligibility criteria or submission procedures, visit myPers at mypers.af.mil and enter “RCECM” in the search window. A fact sheet and graphic is also available on the Air Force’s Personnel Center website.
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
Another ribbon/medal created by the AF for the AF for doing their basic job. Of all the US Armed Forces, the AF by far has more ribbons and awards for “feel good” reasons. Just look at their General Officers and see how much chest candy they wear.
Amen! This is the worse example of that continuing and apparently expanding equivalent of kindergarten graduation or participation trophies for little kids soccer. Unfortunately the Army is on the same trajectory with badges for everything from skinned knees to Master Laundry Folding Expert badge. I’m convinced Ru Paul is heading of the Army Uniform Board.
This is the Air Force coming to grips with the use of remotely controlled weapons.
Playing basically video games is never going to be a worthy military endeavour, no matter how far technology advances.
Medals are given out to people that display bravery, that sacrifice, that go above and beyond their duty, that overcome impossible odds. Medals have always been a way to ensure that heroism is acknowledged. By handing them out like everyday items, by valueing the mundane and mediocre with the same acknowledgement, you are devalueing all other medals.
It suits a post heroic society but it is everything but positive.
Let them unlock achievements instead. I have a few ideas:
Insane Discipline: “Be on time twice in a row!”
The greatest generation: “Operate a computer 6 hours before taking a break!”
Or more serious ones:
Double Tap: “Hit the rescue party and kill at least 5 enemy first responders.”
Late to the party: “Kill the relatives of the bride whose wedding party you struck after waiting at least 24h.”
So a REMF medal?
“Medals are given out to people that display bravery, that sacrifice, that go above and beyond their duty, that overcome impossible odds.”
Clearly someone who hasn’t seen the entire COC get an end-of-deployment Bronze Star.
Right, cause if you aren’t kicking in doors, then you aren’t really important anyway.
Y’all sound like a bunch of crying children cause someone else is getting recognized and you didn’t. Just remember, when you are back stateside sitting at work, doing absolutely nothing to contribute to war effort in anyway, there are people working remotely everyday to uphold the air superiority everyone the ground enjoys, and many seem to forget. How bout “good job and a thank you” cause haven’t had to worry about a threat from above since the Korean War? Everyone hates the Air Force, until things get real.
^ This x1000
Some of these “kids playing video games” will probably have more confirmed kills in one enlistment than the chest-pounding grunts will accumulate over an entire career, if at all.
The real world impact of the missions they undertake is undeniable, and no less important just because they aren’t in the trenches.
GANDIS and Phillip both stated my thoughts as well.
No one cares about their ribbons, just as no one cares about your opinion of the USAFs awards and decorations policy.
Meh, want to poke fun at this but whatevs… If this makes them feel more high speed and keeps them tight on task, have your lil ribbon. I’m sure we all can giggle at a couple of the bars sittin on the chest of our snazzy clothes. Everybody gets a ribbon these days, so why not; well except for the one up above that deserves it the most…
More power to them. Let them have all the awards they want. Whatever keeps those bombs dropping. I for one love the freaking Air Force. If the day ever came where our JTAC looked at us and told us no help was available I would be one sad sad little man. Keep up the good work.
I like this alot, however I am well stock on this type of jacket due to magpul
Ahh that was for the “Prima Lochi” but yes medals… rabble rabble
So… what gap does this fill? Don’t we have R devices to go on existing awards now? What purpose does this serve?
First, I love the comments comparing Air Force remote pilots/operators and comparing them to playing video games. Umm, doesn’t the Army have an actual video game unit??
Second, yes, we have too many medals and too many people that were never in combat but still receive combat medals at the end of their deployments.
Third, I flew over 200 combat missions on tanker aircraft during my 20 years and qualified for multiple Air Medals because of that. Every 20 missions qualified for a medal. For quite a while they were awarding Air Medals to RPA pilots who were flying their aircraft from their stateside locations. At least this medal will keep them from receiving the same medal as those whose butts were actually flying over the combat zone.