Who Now For Pres??? McCain???

Originally Posted by Deadcenter45

For 23 combat missions (an estimated 20 hours over enemy territory), the U.S. Navy awarded McCain a Silver Star, a Legion of Merit for Valor, a Distinguished Flying Cross, three Bronze Stars, two Commendation medals plus two Purple Hearts and a dozen service medals.

"McCain had roughly 20 hours in combat," explains Bill Bell, a veteran of Vietnam and former chief of the U.S. Office for POW/MIA Affairs -- the first official U.S. representative in Vietnam since the 1973 fall of Saigon. "Since McCain got 28 medals," Bell continues, "that equals out to about a medal-and-a-half for each hour he spent in combat. There were infantry guys -- grunts on the ground -- who had more than 7,000 hours in combat and I can tell you that there were times and situations where I'm sure a prison cell would have looked pretty good to them by comparison. The question really is how many guys got that number of medals for not being shot down."

source: http://www.vietnamveteransagainstjohnmccain.com/

No matter what you do in the military you will never receive a medal if your superiors don't recommend it for you and after that it's still a competition. The higher ranks and those with longer service are usually considered before lower ranks. I'm not saying it's right but that's how it is.

A Captain that I work with was suposed to get some medals for thwarting an ambush on themselves and a supply convoy during OIF but somehow a Major and Lt. Col in his rank structure who were not even in theatre received "his" medals. Needless to say there is a lot of politics in the military (especially in the Officer Corps.) This all happened when he was a field officer in the Army though.

I agree. I am all about getting awards for subordinates but I made a decision that I would never worry about getting another decoration, personally. Lots of people get screwed and there is no way to complain about it with out looking like a douche.

i remember watching the whole John Kerry swiftboat thing and i just got the feeling (feeling, mind you) "I bet those junior officers were hooking each other up at the rapid rate - Kerry just happened to run for president and was stupid enough to tout his war record".

I have read some of the stories about mccain and his performance, at least as a POW, was truly commendable. that said, i'm sure there were politics out the wazoo. As noted that just goes with the territory. i think it's sad that people are going to try to smear his war service. I wholeheartedly support smearing him for everything else possible. But unless you've got 110% proof someone lied or fabricated, you are treading on sacred ground, even if it's McCain.

Originally Posted by wild_wild_wes

But McCain was the son of an Admiral, lol

His granddad was also an Admiral IIRC

Originally Posted by Striker5

I wholeheartedly support smearing him for everything else possible. But unless you've got 110% proof someone lied or fabricated, you are treading on sacred ground, even if it's McCain.

Couldn't agree more. I've got PLENTY I disagree with him on, as far as his service though, that is beyond reproach.

Originally Posted by MerQ

No matter what you do in the military you will never receive a medal if your superiors don't recommend it for you and after that it's still a competition. The higher ranks and those with longer service are usually considered before lower ranks. I'm not saying it's right but that's how it is.

A Captain that I work with was suposed to get some medals for thwarting an ambush on themselves and a supply convoy during OIF but somehow a Major and Lt. Col in his rank structure who were not even in theatre received "his" medals. Needless to say there is a lot of politics in the military (especially in the Officer Corps.) This all happened when he was a field officer in the Army though.

Thanks for the incite. Sounds just like my life working for a large corporation, it terms of the politics, taking credit for others work, and under-cutting deserving rewards by superiors.

Rush had a good line today: "Obama is telling his base to get fired up, and McCain is telling his base to calm down!"

lol.

Originally Posted by scottp999

Thanks for the incite. Sounds just like my life working for a large corporation, it terms of the politics, taking credit for others work, and under-cutting deserving rewards by superiors.

I don't mean to make it sound bad. I love what I do and serving my country but like many "industries of service" it can be a thankless job. It comes with the territory and I personally have never needed awards to justify doing my job.

Originally Posted by Deadduck

...an Obama presidency scares the hell out of me.

Me too brother.

Originally Posted by Kalash

Me too brother.

And don't forget, besides this woefully inexperienced junior Senator, we'll prolly also have a Democrat Congress. Just think how they will bitch-slap the Messiah around...

So let me get this straight:

Conservatives adore Fred Thompson, but he lacks fire, falls flat and drops out.

John McCain's star begins to rise. Conservatives grumble.

Said conservatives who weren't already in love with Mitt Romney commence doing so. In droves.

McCain continues his ascent. Conservatives bubble, froth and rage.

Romney, conservative darling du jour, can't sniff McCain and summarily bails from the race, leaving McCain and...oh yeah, Mike Huckabee, who suddenley looks really good to conservatives jilted by Thompson and Romney.

And today, less than a week after Romney withdraws, Fred Thompson endorses...(drum roll)...John McCain!

I love this stuff.