Originally Posted by
Daf Hucker
Surely that depends on what the medal is issued for. By your definition you'd only get a medal if you were on the ground in the operational area (would you need to be shot at to qualify?).
If on the other hand is that you provided operational effect in support of an operation, then surely that should be recognised. Traditionally, this is done with a medal.
I fought GW1 in AFOps in Whitehall, wearing a suit. I thus provided 'Operational Effect', by briefing PM, SofS, CDS, CAS and a few others during proceedings. Indeed, SofS used a sentence of mine in a speech to the House of Commons.
However, pi$$ed off though I am after all those 12-hour night shifts and getting no medal, I did no more than someone flogging himself to shreds in a UK Supply Depot shovelling the essential kit out to the front line.
I defer on the RPAS aspect ... that is indeed a conundrum. But I do know, having a mate from the business, that it's rather stressful at times [a.k.a. actually killing people].