“The Second Lebanon War of 2006 was the last significant military campaign Israel was involved in (although this is disputed by some who argue that it wasn’t really a war but merely a few half-baked battles at the level of divisions). The war was characterized by an inflation of citations. At the awards ceremony held a year after the battles ended, no fewer than 38 chief-of-staff citations were handed out, in addition to 104 decorations given by sector commands and divisional commanders.

Military wisdom has it that when generals stumble, citations are later handed out liberally to junior officers and ‘grunts.’ When things go according to plan, no exceptional feats of bravery are required, with less need for subsequent citations. This diagnosis conceals a further truth: The citations also serve as a mechanism for the military establishment to cover its rear end when things go wrong. It may not always be true, but senior commanders like to bask in the stardust sprinkled by decorated heroes.”

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