Lt. Gen. Richard Newton, former assistant vice chief of staff, U.S. Air Force

As the combat mission in Afghanistan comes to a close, the awards process is up for review.

The Defense Department is reviewing the way troops are honored with awards and decorations. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel called for a holistic effort after he scrapped a new medal last year. It stirred controversy because it would have honored drone pilots and others not directly in the line of fire.

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