Lest we forget

[Woots]

Referring back to the comment about the BBC director general being "heroic" for resigning after making a pigs ear of things just reminded me that the word hero is grossly misused on a regular basis in modern-day life. In my organisation HR talk about 'hero specifications' for managers etc. What management B.S!

A hero in my eyes is someone who has put themself in the face of great danger to their own life in an effort to protect or save their friend, colleague, comrade, loved one etc.

I do also think that the word 'hero' is bandied around a little too often in the military these days. Are you a 'hero' in the truest sense of the word if you are at Camp Bastion repairing planes, tanks etc and never seeing active service? I'm not decrying the role of these people - they are highly valued individuals in my eyes and doing a brilliant job for us all, but heroes? not sure, I think should be reserved for a very special act of valour. What does everyone else think?

I was deployed for 4 months in Kandahar fixing Harriers, and while it is still deemed as "active service" it isnt the front line in the truest sense of the word. Okay we came under rocket attacks on quite a few occasions but it certainly was not to the extent of the attacks we got while in Iraq (i was still in school but my sqn was deployed there so its just what my colleagues/mates have told me) apparently while in Iraq the bases were bombed to hell, quite a few of our aircraft were written off so its a good job no one was working on them at the time (probably too busy playing uckers and drinking tea) but there was still some element of danger, although when i was in afghan i felt quite safe, it has happened on occasion that engineers have been sent to FOB's to recover/repair an aircraft and im sure the element of danger is increased vastly. But hero...?? Naaahh, and tbh i think most servicemen, even those that have indeed been heroic wouldnt want to be known as that. In my trade we see deployments not as an act of heroism but more of a chance to get away from issues at home, get a good tan and a chance to pay off some debts.
Hat def goes off to the marines in particular however, the helicopter i work on is used to ferry these boys around various FOBs in afghan etc, and they really are on the front line, they deserve the absolute respect they should receive. In the military there is obv a lot of banter, and if a group of marines were moaning about conditions a group of sailors would prob say "ah dippers shipmate, you choose your trade...shouldve worked harder in school etc" and im sure they'd give just the same treatment to us, but yeah wouldnt say we are all heroes...it just pays the bills for 99.9% of us, save the title for those truly deserving who carry out exceptional things.
:lol:

 

[bigdog]

Referring back to the comment about the BBC director general being "heroic" for resigning after making a pigs ear of things just reminded me that the word hero is grossly misused on a regular basis in modern-day life. In my organisation HR talk about 'hero specifications' for managers etc. What management B.S!

A hero in my eyes is someone who has put themself in the face of great danger to their own life in an effort to protect or save their friend, colleague, comrade, loved one etc.

I do also think that the word 'hero' is bandied around a little too often in the military these days. Are you a 'hero' in the truest sense of the word if you are at Camp Bastion repairing planes, tanks etc and never seeing active service? I'm not decrying the role of these people - they are highly valued individuals in my eyes and doing a brilliant job for us all, but heroes? not sure, I think should be reserved for a very special act of valour. What does everyone else think?

I would very much agree that the word "hero" is thrown about to often.

There was an article recently about a military gal that processed pay stubs for contract services in Afghanistan. She was awarded the bronze star. The bronze star is the 4th highest medal in the US military. Yes her job is just as important as the next as the military is very much a team effort. Even though her job was being done in Afghanistan. She was not in any combat, Didn't save any lives. She was simply doing her job under austere circumstances. An Air Force Meritorious service medal or an Air Force Achievement medal would have been correct. Of course I wouldn't begrudge the soldier that got the medal. It was her supervisor that put her in for the medal.

So yes. When someone who sits behind a desk in a secure facility with regular business duty hours. And goes to a chow hall for Breakfast, Lunch, And Dinner. Has no business getting a medal that is normally reserved for service above and beyond. I.E. A hero.