Infanteer said:I suspect the Operational Service Medal (Expedition) will be retroactively issued for all Op REASSURANCE deployments as well as for the upcoming participation in this NATO Brigade. It fits the criteria of the award and, with the 30 day threshold, will be better applicable than the 6 month requirement for the SSM(NATO).
I think it is entirely fair and worthwhile in issuing this. Operational service decorations are not issued for any specific degree of risk - I'd venture that a majority of the UN/NATO medals worn by service members involve tours without getting shot at (I have one myself). This deployment represents fulfilling an important service in support of our national policies, just as much as a Cyprus or 4 CMBG tour (both which were appropriately recognized with medals). As well, I think it is good for morale and recognition for our soldiers in light of the lack of deployments since 2014 - as a buddy of mine said, we're better off without a whole bunch of guys looking like bus drivers in nice suits. The way some of you talk, you'd only be happy if nobody had a medal unless they were shot at or blown up.
As well, I think this mission will be a good opportunity for the Army. I can speak from a position of authority in saying that a good percentage of soldiers releasing in the last few years is due to lack of opportunity to deploy somewhere and see something beyond Wainwright or Petawawa. A six month deployment allowing soldiers to participate in some excellent NATO training opportunities while also seeing a different part of the world will be good for our troops.
Nope, I think that this is an excellent opportunity for the army- arguably, moreso than the latter part of Afghanistan, as we desperately need to reconstitute our capacity for conventional warfare. We got too used to a third rate enemy. I don't actually have an issue with a medal being awarded, hence my pondering of the SSM-Nato. It fits essentially the same purpose and risks as our erstwhile NATO commitments. I have a very modest rack that I earned, and am not competitive over it. Obviously the combat arms cannot refrain from dick measuring, so there will me medal angst over this. Whether it's SSM-Nato, or OSM-Exp, or whatever, all good with me.