She has three new medals on her chest:

Purple Heart
POW Medal
Bronze Star


You get major promotion points for any medals you have - she should have no problem being promoted to Specialist next time around :)

yeah....yeah....
now let's leave her alone to get her life back.

Ditto what mmcat said.:D :)

Unless the Army's changed, they still use traditional promotion boards rather than the Air Force's WAPS (Weighted Airman Promotion System). Besides,, promotion to E-4 is fully qualified based on time in service, with the occasional 'below the zone' promotions for hard chargers.

Considering her injuries, she may be medically retired.

On the other hand, I was listening to a local late night radio talk show last night listening to some guy complaining that awarding the Bronze Star Medal to PFC Lynch 'cheapens' the award. Not likely, IMHO; I would have agreed if it was a Distinguished Service Cross or a Silver Star, but you can earn a Bronze Star for both combat actions (distinguished with a V device) or outstanding performance.

I heard today that she is going back to college and wants to be a teacher, so it looks like the retirement thought was on the money. After what she'd been through, I'm not that surprised.

I think I heard that the governor or someone gave her free college tuition in Virginia. That is great. She deserves all the props we can give her.

I know I am going to be yelled at, but I have talk to people who were there when she was rescuded(sp) and that her gun was so dirty and mis-treated (was not taken care of) that they are not surpised that she was not court-mashallaled

Im sorry, she did not fire her gun to the late minute. Her gun could not fire.

She (in my eyes) was not a hero becuase she was caught or lost. YEs she is a hero for going over there. Not for for being caught. Yes, she is brave. I admit that. But what did she do that any other military personal over there do that made her some much better. WHy is she getting the awards when the 15 MEU rescuced here.

She was not shot down out of a plane, or was not doing a secret mission. She was caught, its like getting hit in tag and every one think you are so specail. No!

Yes, I am happy she was resuced. She is an america. and she did go over to help the IRaqi people. But a "hero's welcome" and parades, and the scholarships lining up for her. Oh My brother (and the 15 MEU) is so mad at her. that what the media said that she did (and did not do)


I knew I am bursting poeples bubble, and that I will get crap for this. But I don't care. This is what I believe

Chris

She went through a rough time. And I am glad that she has been given encouragement and the opportunity to continue her education. And I hope she will follow through on that. I would feel the same for anybody who has gone through such a situation, no matter how or why they were caught.

I believe the weapons jammed because of the sand. It's nearly impossible to keep your weapon clean in the desert like that.

Quote:

She (in my eyes) was not a hero becuase she was caught or lost. YEs she is a hero for going over there. Not for for being caught. Yes, she is brave. I admit that. But what did she do that any other military personal over there do that made her some much better. WHy is she getting the awards when the 15 MEU rescuced here.

If there is any gripe to be had here, it should be that the people who rescued her were not given any sort of commendation. Not that she was.



I'm just curious here; but why would she be more of a hero if she was doing a secret mission or was shot down out of a plane? The military pilots I'm friends with all agree that it's much safer to be flying than to be a ground troop.



I find it difficult to believe anyone would be mad at her for something that's not of her doing. I don't believe she ever asked for the media attention. And what is she supposed to do, turn down a scholarship offer?

By the way, what would YOU do, Rainbowbright, if you were told that you could have a full college scholarship, parades and military commendations in exchange for going through what Jessica Lynch went through? Would you do it???