ARCOM for calling out inappropriate use in Social Media. Appropriate or not?

SGT(P) Llamas, I founded the award to be worthy of the occasion because it is commendation award. She earned accommodation for her actions of taking initiative in the absence of orders. That is what NCOs are supposed to do!. Can you imagine how many young women read the post with discuss but felt powerless to act? Let's assume it viewed by several others Soldiers who were probably leaders or moreover females. But none of them took the necessary action, so yes she is not a bystander at least not at this moment. She led by example, and I would hope other will follow her lead. Good on you Battle (1SG). Hooah!!!

What about every other NCO that also does that? I have seen a lot of NCOs do what she had done with no award, females and males alike. You say you hope people follow her lead, but what about the soldiers already doing that before her? You think this gives female soldiers more power? I doubt it. I am glad, however, to see that it is a female 1SG, but still doesn't deserve that award unless they are going to give it to everyone else that had done what she did and yes there are people out there.

I believe we are somewhat stressing the same point that is people should recognize those who take action when others remain silence. For example, taking into perspective what she did goes beyond what anyone else have done to my knowledge. The thought to look these Soldiers up on AKO and find their command leadership and address them as to their Soldiers action is worth recognition. I know most people would say that what a 1SG should do, but do know of any that has besides her?

I believe those that came before her and stepped up call alarm to mistreatment others deserves to be mention as well. But let’s not get mad at the person who someone outside her control identified her for an award. I feel the other Soldiers you mention because someone should shine light on them especially if they were young Soldiers (rank). I love empowering young Soldier because it shows leadership. In closing, if know of someone else worthy of being recognized fill out DA 638 and recommend them. I believe leadership welcome Soldiers with value.

Sir, you have a keen insight into the seagoing services. I'm still fighting to get a half dozen CGAMs issued for a project that concluded more than a year ago. I've heard every excuse, and every dodge in the world for not doing the right thing. It's mind numbing. It's almost like somebody at the top of the food chain is going to be required to cut the medal off their own chest to award it to a junior member. I don't get it.

I'm not in favor of having a cookiejar on the chief's desk where you can pick up your award as you walk by, but clearly the CG awards process is both stingy and more than a little convoluted. We need a system that is a little less stingy, and a little more user friendly.

Master Chief rant complete ;-)

Roger that, I got out with 11 collateral duties (as a PO3) and was denied a NAM for an exit award (what I got was nothing, not even a handshake). I'm looking at the Army Reserves though...

PO3 Glade, I hear you!! I had several strong performers leave my last unit without anything either. I was pretty offended that an O3 would question an E8 making an award recommendation. I figured by the time I was a senior chief, if I said, a lieutenant should know that it ought to happen.....but it's the new Guard now.

You hit the nail on the head "used PROPERLY". To deny an award or approve an award in an arbitrary manner devalues the whole process. The it becomes about something other than recognizing the performance of the member.

I truly don't understand how or why things do or don't happen. During my last T10 recall, the unit had three successive OICs (Two MCPOs & one SCPO). The first two received MSMs as parting gifts. Both well earned; absolutely deserved for extraordinary service. The final OIC, same outstanding performance but his MSM recommendation was downgraded to a CGCM. The retiring XPO (SCPO) same thing, an MSM reduced to CGCM. I was asked by the command to help draft the packages since I was the OPS Boss and had access to all of the unit's accomplishments. There was no question that all concerned should have received the MSM. However, every O4 and above who departed from the group/sector who could find any convoluted way to attach themselves to our special project took an MSM with them.

I'm with you sir. I enjoy drafting packages for my people, and even those folks who outside my chain of command. In the almost eight years I was on AD between 9/11 and 2011, I drafted/submitted around 80 awards (MSM, CGCM, CGAM, MOVSM, LOC, CGMUC, CGMTC). I have very good success rate and am happy to say that about 95% of those submitted were approved. The best part of being at the top is reading those awards at Colors/Quarters and seeing my subordinates recognized for their performance.

As to the matter at hand, I have been given a host of excuses for awards that remain outstanding. The unit continue to support OCONUS military operations for two years after I left finally being completely decommissioned last fall. I've been told that the chiefs who followed me didn't submit well developed package; AD DivOs declined to endorse reservists for awards; department heads/OIC & XPO all PCSed taking whatever knowledge of the issues with them; new sector awards board policy excluded chiefs from participating so only Os many of whom had no idea about the unit/mission to determine what an award looks like; and the best one of all, "I don't know what you're talking about. It must have gotten lost. Besides, it's too late to do anything about now anyway."

In fairness, I have made some small progress over the last couple of months in getting several CGAMs into the system. I'm waiting to see how well they are received.

Master Chief rant complete! Out.

I agree Sir, Letter of Appreciation or Certification of Achievement or etc., but some of the new Army are receiving awards for social media corrections

I received a NAM at retirement for trimming the hedges at the admin building we inherited from a decommissioned Squadron. So there's that. Not a fan of chest candy.

Maybe it was a Navy COM. I can't remember. It was a bullshit here is your consolation prize for 21 years of service. Her receiving an ARCOM and it making headlines is equal to Michelle Obama hash tagging bring back our girls. Them girls are still gone.

What she did was right. ARCOM worthy? Maybe a bullet statement for a body of work with SHARP but not the sole reason for the ARCOM.

I completely agree and understand...I got a frickin' AAM as an ETS award and she gets an ARCOM for being a blue falcon.

An ARCOM, really though? You got Soldiers putting in work down range that don't even get an ARCOM, lol.

I took that into account before I made my post. Being that I have been down range 3 times already and will be back soon. I know that we also have Soldiers who do nothing more then go to the gym/MWR/school down range and get ARCOMs, or get ARCOMs as PCS/ETS awards without going above and beyond during their tenure. You have Soldiers who are getting ARCOMs for their ability to memorize (SOM/NCO boards). This Sr. NCO didn't just memorize a policy or teach a class she when out of her way to make a difference for the greater good of the Army as a whole. She enforced Army policy's and standards. She displayed the professionalism, leadership, & competence that the NCO Creed & Soldiers Creeds talk about. She lived the Army Values. She exercised initiative by taking appropriate action in the absence of orders, all without compromising her integrity or moral courage.

There are so many different things in just that small bit of time that so many different other folks tend to "overlook" simply because it is happening over the internet and not in their face.

I don't even see that sir. More like a 4856 if she did this during the duty day.

Yeah, you're prolly right. I do think of they would have given her an AAM initially, there wouldn't be so much push back. Interesting to see where we're at as an Army right now...actually, it's quite sad. But I better keep my mouth shut before I say too much. I'll wait til' my ETS date of 18 FEB...

right!

Aman sister