Not so fast...
So you think that leg you lost when your Hummer crashed on a training run should earn you some sort of award or recognition? Better think again.
How about that Post-traumatic Stress Syndrome of yours? I wouldn't count on it.
It seems that there are certain criteria that one (or one's family if it be the case) must meet in order to be awarded the prestigious and injury-related Purple Heart.
As I was doing a little research for a short story I recently wrote, I came across this list of Do's and Don't's when it comes to receiving a Purple Heart. As you all know, the Purple Heart is an award given to soldiers injured (or killed) in the line of duty. What some of you, myself included, may not know is that there are certain circumstances under which the award can/will be given out. Below is a list I cut and pasted from AR 600-8-22, 25 February 1995 and Public Law 104-106, 10 February 1996.
First is a list of injuries that justify the award:
(4) Examples of enemy-related injuries which clearly justify award of the Purple Heart are as follows:
(a) Injury caused by enemy bullet, shrapnel, or other projectile created by enemy action.
(b) Injury caused by enemy placed mine or trap.
(c) Injury caused by enemy released chemical, biological, or nuclear agent.
(d) Injury caused by vehicle or aircraft accident resulting from enemy fire.
(e) Concussion injuries caused as a result of enemy generated explosions.
(5) Examples of injuries or wounds which clearly do not qualify for award of the Purple Heart are as follows:
(a) Frostbite or trench foot injuries.
(b) Heat stroke.
(c) Food poisoning not caused by enemy agents.
(d) Chemical, biological, or nuclear agents not released by the enemy.
(e) Battle fatigue.
(f) Disease not directly caused by enemy agents.
(g) Accidents, to include explosive, aircraft, vehicular, and other accidental wounding not related to or caused by enemy action.
(h) Self-inflicted wounds, except when in the heat of battle, and not involving gross negligence.
(i) Post traumatic stress disorders.
(j) Jump injuries not caused by enemy action.
Now, I know very little about military combat and the history of modern warfare (post 1900), but it seems to me that any injury, no matter when or where, that occurs to a soldier in the United States army, navy, marines, etc. should be "rewarded" with a Purple Heart. Of you are called into, or enroll in, combat service, I think that the United States then has an obligation to keep you safe, both in battle and out of it. In training drills or in the trenches, an injury is an injury. I think a key question would be: "If Mr/s. X were not in the military, would he/she have suffered this injury?" I am sure that most of the time the answer to this is No. Because of that, I think that all injuries incurred while in the role of a soldier (battle, training, traveling, etc.) should "clearly justify award" of the Purple Heart.
Hell, these people are risking life and limb, we should at least be able to slap a tiny little pin on their chests.
How about that Post-traumatic Stress Syndrome of yours? I wouldn't count on it.
It seems that there are certain criteria that one (or one's family if it be the case) must meet in order to be awarded the prestigious and injury-related Purple Heart.
As I was doing a little research for a short story I recently wrote, I came across this list of Do's and Don't's when it comes to receiving a Purple Heart. As you all know, the Purple Heart is an award given to soldiers injured (or killed) in the line of duty. What some of you, myself included, may not know is that there are certain circumstances under which the award can/will be given out. Below is a list I cut and pasted from AR 600-8-22, 25 February 1995 and Public Law 104-106, 10 February 1996.
First is a list of injuries that justify the award:
(4) Examples of enemy-related injuries which clearly justify award of the Purple Heart are as follows:
(a) Injury caused by enemy bullet, shrapnel, or other projectile created by enemy action.
(b) Injury caused by enemy placed mine or trap.
(c) Injury caused by enemy released chemical, biological, or nuclear agent.
(d) Injury caused by vehicle or aircraft accident resulting from enemy fire.
(e) Concussion injuries caused as a result of enemy generated explosions.
Next is a list of injuries that do not qualify for the award:
(5) Examples of injuries or wounds which clearly do not qualify for award of the Purple Heart are as follows:
(a) Frostbite or trench foot injuries.
(b) Heat stroke.
(c) Food poisoning not caused by enemy agents.
(d) Chemical, biological, or nuclear agents not released by the enemy.
(e) Battle fatigue.
(f) Disease not directly caused by enemy agents.
(g) Accidents, to include explosive, aircraft, vehicular, and other accidental wounding not related to or caused by enemy action.
(h) Self-inflicted wounds, except when in the heat of battle, and not involving gross negligence.
(i) Post traumatic stress disorders.
(j) Jump injuries not caused by enemy action.
Now, I know very little about military combat and the history of modern warfare (post 1900), but it seems to me that any injury, no matter when or where, that occurs to a soldier in the United States army, navy, marines, etc. should be "rewarded" with a Purple Heart. Of you are called into, or enroll in, combat service, I think that the United States then has an obligation to keep you safe, both in battle and out of it. In training drills or in the trenches, an injury is an injury. I think a key question would be: "If Mr/s. X were not in the military, would he/she have suffered this injury?" I am sure that most of the time the answer to this is No. Because of that, I think that all injuries incurred while in the role of a soldier (battle, training, traveling, etc.) should "clearly justify award" of the Purple Heart.
Hell, these people are risking life and limb, we should at least be able to slap a tiny little pin on their chests.
posted by Spec at 2:35 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
I disagree--I think the whole idea of getting a pin for being injured is sorta silly. BUT . . . I DO like the idea of a Girl-Scout-type badge system (wait--that's what they have!) where they have a specific badge for each type of injury. Perhaps a toilet bowl for "Friendly Food Poisoning" or a bare foot with stink rays for "Trench Rot". Hilarious!
As a nonveteran of the armed forces, I humbly suggest an award for NOT getting injured in the line of duty. Maybe another one for not killing anybody. And a really really special merit badge for going AWOL and then getting elected president.
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