Dirty Patricia said:
I think that is the feeling of most of us that support the CAB. It is not to gloat or snub our noses at other soldiers. It is purely to recognize those that have participated in combat. Unfortunately we have all faced professional jealousy at many levels since returning. I think that runs deeply among those that don't support the award.
That's interesting in and of itself.
Some of those who have expressed opinions of non-support, haven't done so out of "professional jealousy". Given that one of the CFs finer traits has always rather been "quiet professionalism" ... that seems to be disappearing these days.
Some have wondered if it's going to be applicable retroactively, and to what date. There are problems with it's implementation that they are going to have to sort out and deal with. That's why a lot of people have problems with it and it's seemingly being made "for" this mission.
We've had pers shooting and being shot at, and fighting back before Afghanistan. It's happened in the Balkans ... and it's happened under the blue beret. Were they wars? No, but ... a lot of people did some pretty fine mixing 'er up under fire with opposition who'd wish to see them dead at that specific point in time. Does one have to be shooting back bullets -- or will throwing grenades back suffice (because that's occured too)??
Does it have to be during a "War" to make it combat?? Because, if so ... Canada isn't officially at war right now either. It's going to be awarded for an "incident" of combat as I understand it ... not for "pro-longed periods of combat" ... I'm just wondering if say ... our boys from Medak will be getting it -- and if not -- why not??
What about some folks at a certain airfield in Africa circa 1993 who found themselves fighting on a two-way range? There are others of course ... All of this needs to be sorted out and settled before we implement anything.
I have nothing against the CAB. As long as it's applicable to all who've done it, vice only a select operation. Some of the above events that I've mentioned certainly didn't start out as Combat, but boys & girls ended up in it anyway ... even if only for one incident on their operation (UN or other). If one incident is the qualifier ... it seems to me that they'd have earned it as well.
We can't simply write off their contributions, nor their date with combat.
Just a few thoughts from me.
[Edit to change name of topic]