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Letters

Awards process a fair one

As the head of the Marine Corps’ Military Awards Branch, I would like to clarify the information on our military awards system presented in the May 4 article “More prestigious combat medals go to officers,” so Marine Corps Times readers will have a more accurate picture of how the Marine Corps executes the military awards system.

In numerous portions of the article (including insertion of a bracketed phrase into one of my quotes), the article incorrectly implied that officers earn the “V” on awards under different rules than enlisted Marines, and that this represents an approved “dual use” of the “V.” As I explained to the reporter, for both enlisted and officers, the “V” either designates that the award was for a valorous act in combat, or it serves as a combat distinguishing device on awards for meritorious service or achievement where the Marine was exposed to personal hazards due to direct participation in combat operations. The judicious “dual use” of the “V” appropriately limits it to awards for those officers and enlisted who are being recognized either for valorous acts or for exceptionally meritorious service as a direct participant in combat actions with the enemy.

As I explained in both the interview and my written response to the question of whether rank has any bearing on the level of award, neither rank nor officer/enlisted status are a factor in considering the level of appropriate award for a valorous action. A Marine crossing a kill zone to recover a wounded Marine deserves the same level of award whether a company commander or a squad leader. However, level of responsibility can be a factor in determining the appropriate level of award for meritorious service where the overall impact is greater based on the Marine’s greater responsibility. Senior Marines, both officers and enlisted, fill the billets of greatest responsibility and would be more likely considered for awards of the Bronze Star for meritorious service than junior officers or junior enlisted Marines. That is why a junior officer or junior enlisted Marine who receives the Bronze Star with “V” more likely earned it for valor in combat than for meritorious service, while a designated awarding authority may find it more appropriate to recognize meritorious service by a junior officer or junior enlisted Marine with either an Achievement or Commendation Medal, with or without the “V.”

I am confident our Marine commanders at each level take great care to originate, endorse, and approve combat awards as fairly as possible to ensure their deserving Marines and sailors, whether enlisted or officers, receive the appropriate level of recognition for their valorous actions and meritorious service.

Lee Freund

Head of Military Awards Branch

Marine Corps headquarters

No, we’re not all riflemen

Regarding Sgt. Jade N. Long’s comments in the April 20 Marine Corps Times [“More money not the answer,” Letters]: I strongly disagree with the notion that every Marine really is a rifleman.

1. For starters, and maybe I’m splitting hairs here, the last time I used an M16A2 was as a recruit at the depot. I find it offensive that someone is so quick to oversimplify our mission as infantry Marines. It’s easier said than done.

2. I’m not going to pretend I know what it’s like to be an intel Marine, and I’m certainly not saying their job is unimportant. However, many Marines forget one very important thing about the Corps (despite our relentless efforts to remind all within earshot): If you are not in the infantry, you exist solely to support it. Operations drive intel. It’s great to know where the bad guys are, but that still leaves a door to be kicked down and a house to be searched. It’s not difficult to figure out who is assuming the risk on this end of the deal.

3. I’m fine with Marines leaving the infantry. I don’t want to deal with anyone other than dedicated, selfless Marines. Dwell time for the infantry is different than dwell time for other career fields. We spend our time back from deployments “dwelling” out on the range.

4. If you’re going to go outside the wire in a combat zone, you shouldn’t have a “cushy job in garrison.” That is how Marines get hurt. Most Marines realize us infantry guys have it pretty rough. Most Marines are the first to give us credit for that. But there’s always that group that says otherwise, shouting their battle cry of “Every Marine a rifleman!” — talking the talk, but not walking the walk.

The Corps is a great institution, full of real warriors across the board, but I think it’s clear where the ones who walk the walk are. All Marines are created equally at one of the depots, but not all of them are trained or qualified for combat equally once they get to the fleet.

Sgt. Aaron D. Denning

Camp Pendleton, Calif.

A case for MOS tests

I have been speaking to some of my peers about promotions, and some of them said interesting things. One thing that stood out was the possibility of Marines taking a military occupational specialty test for promotion. I recall a time when the Corps said it was going to do that, but somehow that idea went to the winds.

Some Marines think it is unfair that others who have been out of an MOS for some time still get promoted in that MOS. You can have a Marine who has been in his MOS for the past five years get passed over for promotion, while his peer who has been out of that MOS for the past five years gets promoted. The purpose of promoting in an MOS is to promote the best fully qualified Marine to get that job done — not because somebody scored a 300 on the Physical Fitness Test, has a B-billet and is an expert shooter or a black belt.

It would be great if we competed for promotion against every one of our peers in the entire Corps instead of just our MOS. Those things show our versatility and add to our record, but they don’t make you pass inspections — and they don’t make Marines MOS proficient. Marines who are not proficient in their MOS take away from the section. It hurts the Marines and the unit.

The test was a great idea. They should have stuck with it.

Gunnery Sgt. Ulric J. Jackson

Oceanside, Calif.