ARCOM downgrade?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Jun 2019 05:28:36 -0400

If our section leader put us in for ARCOMs and the other soldier getting recommended for one already has an AAM but I do not have any awards would his get accepted and mine get downgraded. Same amount of work was done

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Jun 20 at 2019 5:43 AM

CW5 Jack Cardwell — Thu, 20 Jun 2019 05:43:25 -0400

Beyond your control. They both could be down graded.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jun 20 at 2019 7:28 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Thu, 20 Jun 2019 07:28:34 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member one or both may be downgraded. One or both may be approved without incident. It's up to the approval authority for the 638, for an ARCOM, this is the Brigade Commander. The amount of "work" measured or perceived is not compared in BTUs per square inch or mega joules per liter. It's subjective, especially if you are talking an award at the end of an assignment in conjunction with PCS. It's based on the strength of the four bullets and the endorsement of the Company and Battalion Commander.

Agree with CW5 Jack Cardwell , beyond your control.

Response by SFC Michael D. made Jun 20 at 2019 8:04 AM

SFC Michael D. — Thu, 20 Jun 2019 08:04:23 -0400

If the person putting you in for the award knows how to write an award with an excellent justification the award shouldn't be rejected, possible down grade but not rejected. Usually depends on the strength of the write up and the endorcements. Also, it doesn't matter if the other Soldier already has an ARCOM, that's why the Oak Leaf Cluster was invented. I had an ARCOM prior to having an AAM. But back in my day the AAM was inventeded after the ARCOM.

http://www.armywriter.com/award.htm

Army Award and Decoration Examples

...write an Army Achievement, Commendation, or Bronze Star Medal? Example medal templates demonstrate the required documents and format. See the Citation page for examples of narrative and citation exampless.

Response by SFC Scott Higgins made Jun 21 at 2019 11:41 AM

SFC Scott Higgins — Fri, 21 Jun 2019 11:41:21 -0400

Awards are very subjective. The other soldier having an award doesn't mean his will be accepted and yours downgraded. It could work the other way, depending on the circumstances and/or it could have absolutely zero impact at all. Be grateful that your section leader thought enough of your work to put you in for an ARCOM. Quite a few wouldn't take the time. That being said, hold you head high, be proud of the recognition, even if the "award" doesn't come through. Thank you for your service!