Could This Be My "stressor"

[Ryan H.]

I was awarded Combat Aircrew Wings after my first deployment to Iraq. They are the equivelant to a Combat Action Ribbon, but the VA does not recognize that. It seems that since only a handfull of people get these they just turn a blind eye to it. I would like an opinion on this because I am taking this MCO and my Original award certificate into my C&P this Sat.

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MCO P1000.6G

COMBAT AIRCREW INSIGNIA

1. The Combat Aircrew Insignia may be authorized for those aircrewmen

qualified under para- graph 3309, who have participated in aerial flight

during combat, and those enlisted personnel who qualify for nontechnical

aircrew positions and serve in such positions in aerial combat.

2. Unit commanders may designate as combat aircrewmen, and authorize the

wearing of the Combat Aircrew Insignia, those enlisted personnel who

satisfactorily meet the prerequisites listed below. Make an appropriate entry

(to include any authorization for combat stars earned under paragraph 3310.4)

in the Marine’s record per current instruction.

3. The prerequisites for designation as a combat aircrewmen follow:

a. The Marine must be a volunteer for combat aircrew duty.

b. The Marine must be qualified per physical and psychological

requirements of the Manual of the Medical Department.

c. The Marine must be a regularly assigned member of a flight crew in an

aircraft participating in combat operations.

d. The Marine must be a graduate of an established course of instruction

and/or OJT qualifying the Marine for a position in the flight crew of a Marine

aircraft.

4. Combat aircrewmen who have qualified to wear combat stars may wear the

Combat Aircrew Insignia on a permanent basis. A maximum of three combat stars

may be awarded for display on the Combat Aircrew Insignia. The criteria for

earning individual combat stars (which are authorized by unit commanders) are

as follows:

a. Engagement of an enemy aircraft.

b. Engagement of an enemy vessel with bombs, rockets, torpedoes, guns or

missiles.

c. Participation in offensive or defensive operations against enemy

fortified positions.

5. A Marine who is qualified to wear both the Naval Aircrew Insignia and the

Combat Aircrew Insignia has the option of wearing the one of his choice.

Requests for verification of combat aircrew status must include sufficient

documentation to substantiate compliance with the prerequisites. Address all

inquiries concerning this insignia to the CMC (ASM).

6. The combat aircrew designation will be canceled by the unit commander

whenever the flight status of the Marine is terminated because he is no longer

physically, psychologically or technically qualified for combat aircrew

duty,or because he is transferred to a billet in which duty involving flying

is not required. Unless the Marine has qualified for permanent retention

under paragraph 3310.4, the authorization to wear the Combat Aircrew Insignia

is revoked upon cancellation of the designation.

[Ryan H.]

I have found a couple of reports that show the VA accepting this award as an accepted combat award but i cant find it anywhere on the VA site. It is an award that is only awarded to those who saw "action." It would be no problem writing what i saw because i remember it daly. I just dont know how to "prove it" I mean i was on flight orders and flew many hours in Iraq. I transported many wounded and deceased americans during my time there. I recieved inderect fire to our FOB on a weekly basis and took alot of small arms fire while flying. How do I actually prove this. I am not in contact with anyone i served with, and i dont know if they would write anything to help me out in the first place.

[Philip Rogers]

Do you have any stars?? As I read it(and I may be wrong) a marine can wear it while assigned to that duty, per the unit commander but w/o stars does not become a permanent award. Do you have orders awarding you the Combat Air Crew Wings and if so do they cite any particular action/event??? jmo

pr

[Ryan H.]

Yes I was awarded the wings with 3 gold combat stars. I was authorized to wear them permanently.

[Berta]

"would be no problem writing what i saw because i remember it daly. I just dont know how to "prove it"

If you give the VA enough details in the stressor letter then JSCURR will attempt to verify it.

I suggest you try to find your unit on line-that could help too-

has the VA actually said they could not verify your stressors yet?

but you recently got C & P for PTSD?

I mean-has the VA actually denied your claim already due to lack of verifiable stressors?

If so had you clearly told them like they are 10 years old (I am serious) exactly what those duties involved?

If a VA rater sees a DD 214 MOS_ as I mentioned here before many times-

that MOS on the DD 214 might not even come close to reflecting what your MOS was-

"I am currenty rated at 0% but I had a GAF score of 60 given when I had my first VA C&P's while exiting active duty. That was almost 3 years, a marriage , 5 jobs and many long nights ago."

Or do you mean they denied at that time and you have continued with the PTSD claim?

Did they attempt to verify your stressors then?

[Ryan H.]

This is what the citation says.

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In accordance with the reference, you are here by awarded the Combat Aircrew Insignia with three stars for participation in multiple combat missions as a Crew Chief aboard a Ch-46e Sea Knight aircraft in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. All missions were flown over terrain where hostile fire from enemy Iraqi forces was actually recieved or was reasonably expected. By your resourcefullness and your outstanding performance of duty while exposed to hostile fire or the threat of hostile fire, you contributed materially to the sucess of the United States Military and National Objectives in the liberation of the Iraqi people. These actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps.

[Berta]

If that is the exact citation you got- I cannot see what VA's problem is here-

Does VA have a copy of that?

I am a civilian so I can only assume that this is an individual citation to you.And that the 3 stars each denote a campaign or battle like the stars on my husband's ribbon-Vietnam