AF Achievement Medal while on State Active Duty?

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Aug 2019 14:21:10 -0400

Air National Guard question! When airmen are on “State Active Duty” (SAD) for an emergency response are they eligible for an Air Force Achievement Medal? I have heard mixed answers anecdotally. I am reading AFI 36-2803 and have not found a clear answer yet.

Response by LTC John Mohor made Aug 5 at 2019 2:29 PM

LTC John Mohor — Mon, 05 Aug 2019 14:29:31 -0400

1st Lt. Bill Peterson I personally would think that if you can take care of your Airman then do it and get the higher award if possible. Seeing as how the Air Force integrated the three components of the Air Force so much more seamlessly it’s bettef to have federally recognized awards awarded whenever possible so it can go with the Airman throughout his/ her career. State level awards have to come off for DA photos as well as transfers to the Reserve or active component. If it doesn’t specifically bar it from being awarded and didn’t specifically relate to the “powers to arrest” an individual like the main reason for Title 32 than put the award recommendation together likes its Title 10 standard operations. Good luck keep taking care of your Airmen!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2019 3:34 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Aug 2019 15:34:01 -0400

Certainly authorized. Being on federal active duty is not a prerequisite. I am not in the USAF, but I would imagine the rules are congruent with Army Guard and Reserve.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Aug 5 at 2019 4:04 PM

CPL Gary Pifer — Mon, 05 Aug 2019 16:04:50 -0400

After everyone gets their medals, they can go and tell their stories at the VA hospital. I am sure the disabled Veterans will be impressed. After that they can all puff out their chests and stroll a VA National Cemetery. I remember holding an E-4 's head as we were rushing him to the ER at Fort Carson. He was very sick from some bios and Chems ( mustard) the Iraqis used against the Colorado Guard ...I kept telling him he wasn't going to die over and over...The med hold unit at Carson lost a few to what ever they had...blood borne...some were sent back to Walter Reed.. some died..I don't know if he died.
Many in my Guard unit suffered brain trauma from IED's. Fun loving reservists who killed a lot of people.. Wow 10 hour notice....and an Airman stepped up!! Real life sucks.

Response by MSgt Neil Greenfield made Aug 5 at 2019 5:04 PM

MSgt Neil Greenfield — Mon, 05 Aug 2019 17:04:47 -0400

Even if you're on SAD, you're still subject to the UCMJ and still have to adhere to USAF uniform and grooming regulations. There's an old adage I adhere to most of the time:
"It's better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission."
Let someone else figure out if it's authorized. They can approve or disapprove the award. Too many times, actions, or activities just don't get done because we're all waiting for someone to say "yes, you can do that". To me, using your own self-initiative is critical as a leader. And being a leader means making sure that those under your charge are recognized and awarded when the time comes.
Not to undermine state awards, but I'm sure that your airmen would appreciate federal awards more.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2019 5:37 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Aug 2019 17:37:15 -0400

Duty status doesn't determine award eligibility. For example, you can award an airman for events that occur during their "civilian time" (i.e. not on orders or IDT status) if the airman's action brings credit to the Air Force. There are several great examples of this: 1. Airman's Medal for voluntarily risking life/limb while not involved in combat, 2. Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal for community volunteer hours, 3. AFAM or AFCOM for lifesaving interventions performed on a civilian.

Response by SPC Angela Burnham made Aug 5 at 2019 6:19 PM

SPC Angela Burnham — Mon, 05 Aug 2019 18:19:48 -0400

When I was deployed for SAD I was told no. State only awards for non-federal missions. Even though we were technically organized under the 53rd TC of the U.S. Army when on state orders, if the state is paying the bill, then they also issue the orders for awards. HOWEVER, this was in NY several years ago. Things could absolutely be different now.

Response by MSgt Peter Vatistas made Aug 8 at 2019 9:04 PM

MSgt Peter Vatistas — Thu, 08 Aug 2019 21:04:07 -0400

There is nothing stopping MAJCOM from awarding an Achiement Medal to someone while they are title 32, and we did that MANY times in my unit. The only stumbling point is that YOUR command needs to follow thru with the award application!

Response by MSgt Jon P. (Pat) Hogan made Aug 17 at 2019 2:03 PM

MSgt Jon P. (Pat) Hogan — Sat, 17 Aug 2019 14:03:39 -0400

I received an Army Achevement Medal and a Humanitarian Service Medal for a Title 32 Deployment to Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina...so “yes.”

Response by SSgt Teri Pranger made Nov 10 at 2019 8:38 AM

SSgt Teri Pranger — Sun, 10 Nov 2019 08:38:01 -0500

As a former adminstration assistant (3s and 3d fields) yes the achievement medal can be awarded during "state duty".