Asking someone to submit an ARCOM for crash rescue?

2019-06-04T21:55:52-04:00

Back in April, I was witnessed and responded to a nasty car wreck on the interstate in my local area. Long story short, I hopped out of my vehicle and dragged the driver out of his totaled vehicle and performed triage until ambulances/etc. arrived.
I was able to get footage from highway traffic cams of what happened, as well as a recording of the 911 call my fiancee made (who was with me at the time).
Would it be against protocol to ask a buddy in my unit to submit a DA 638 for an ARCOM? Or would it not be kosher? Thanks, just curious, as it's something I've never encountered in my career nor anyone else I've served with.

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Jun 4 at 2019 10:31 PM

2019-06-04T22:31:31-04:00

I mean, they gave some 1SG one for being a snitch on Facebook, so why not?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2019 12:36 AM

2019-06-05T00:36:49-04:00

Yeah, I ran my vehicle upon a curb, jumped out and took down a suspect the police officer was struggling to subdue. Never sought recognition or award, as I saw it was what any citizen would do.
Similarly, you saw a need to be a responsible citizen, and reacted accordingly. There is your reward.
If you need further recognition, submit it yourself, or have your fiance submit it for you. It won't make it more significant, and it won't make you a better person.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2019 1:43 AM

2019-06-05T01:43:24-04:00

I think the issue isn’t receiving an award for doing something above and beyond. The issue is ASKING someone to recognize you for those actions. It takes something away from the original act in my opinion because who’s to say you wouldn’t have done it without the prospect of recognition? It shouldn’t be about the medal. If someone puts you in for it, then great. If not, you still did the right thing in a stressful situation. Just my opinion.

Response by LTC John Wilson made Jun 5 at 2019 3:56 AM

2019-06-05T03:56:26-04:00

First of all, bravo for stepping in and doing the right thing, SPC Michels. I believe, though, that the appropriate award might be the Soldier's Medal, and not the ARCOM. However, to your question, I would not advise that course of action.

Technically, if someone were aware of your deed -- however they found out about it -- they certainly COULD submit a recommendation.

However, I think the fact that you've expressed the humility to at least ask this question means that your good conscience has already answered the question for you (even though part of you yearns for recognition you rightly deserve).

In other words, you COULD ask your friend, but it would be considered bad form to do so.

We all deserve recognition for lots of good things we do, that sometimes we may not receive recognition for...at least not in this life. Do not ever let that stop you from doing the RIGHT thing.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Jun 5 at 2019 10:23 AM

2019-06-05T10:23:51-04:00

Personally I would find it in bad taste. It's akin to being a glory hound to ask for an award. (selfless service)
On the other hand if it was local how is it your Squad Leader or others in the CoC didn't hear about it or none of the crew mentioned it to them.

That's how one of our troops got a Soldiers medal in the 864th, a troop mentioned stopped by the mess hall and asked if I heard about the accident near Tacoma and the good Samaritan going in and pulling someone out of the burning vehicle, "well you know that was Smitty". A little leg work and sure enough it was. Going into a burning vehicle to help someone was clearly above and beyond what was expected.

Not knowing the particulars , threat level to your own safety, level of care rendered, just rendering first aid on scene might not rise to the level of an ARCOM or anything other than a hand shake and thank you. I've responded/ been first on scene to several bad accidents to include fatalities rendered aid and have never thought about asking for recognition because it's what I'm supposed to do as a Soldier, Eagle Scout and good citizen.
Long post , just trying to give some perspective.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2019 3:44 PM

2019-06-05T15:44:08-04:00

I may be the dissenting voice from the crowd here, but...

I don't believe you should let the fact that you have poor leadership or are in a position not to be recommended at this time keep you from receiving an award you rightly deserve. I believe people that say otherwise are the reason the award system is so broken. Officers and senior NCOs never forget to recommend each other for awards when it comes time to return home from a deployment, transfer units, or retire from service. Especially in the National Guard, where we maybe meet once every month or two, your chain of command doesn't have the depth of knowledge of subordinates' lives that our active duty counterparts might. Ultimately whether it is approved/disapproved is decided by a higher authority that weighs the act on its merits.

If you really deserve it, then write it for yourself... but be realistic about what you deserve.
- If there was realistic risk of serious injury to you or loss of your life (not like "oh I could have cut myself on glass"), then it may warrant a Soldier's Medal.
- If you pulled someone out of a vehicle and performed lifesaving intervention (I'm not sure what you mean by "performed triage" because it sounds like there was only one person?), then it may rise to the level of ARCOM.
- If you pulled someone out of a vehicle, called for help, and stayed with the person until help arrived, then I would say it is deserving of an AAM. It sounds like this may be the right category for the act you described.
- Check to see if there are any state awards that cover this as some states have specific awards dedicated to this type of act. In that case, the state award would be most appropriate.

Response by SSG Nathan Blair made Jun 20 at 2019 10:28 PM

2019-06-20T22:28:10-04:00

One of your posters was correct it is the Soldier's Medal that would be submitted on your behalf, a buddy doesn't do this, it would be your chain of command or your post PAO office. You might drop copies of the information off and say, I'm not sure who I am supposed to turn this in to but I was part of something that turned out to be significant and just wanted you to know what happened. That would be in good form and proper.