Award for talking a fellow Service Member out of killing themselves?

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 05:15:07 -0400

Last September I talked one of my good friends who was in the Navy at the time out of killing himself. Someone in his COC (O-5) called me thanking me and would like to "Recognize me for my actions". I haven't heard anything since, and just curious if this is something I should let go?

Response by PO3 David Fries made Apr 22 at 2016 6:10 AM

PO3 David Fries — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 06:10:26 -0400

I say leave it alone. It would be nice to get a LOA or something, but it would be bad in bad taste to go asking about an award.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Apr 22 at 2016 6:35 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 06:35:58 -0400

You should let this go! Your act was a humanitarian act and in support of what sounds like a dear friend. To promote what you did you expose his pain. Your act stared as selfless, keep it that way.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Apr 22 at 2016 6:41 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 06:41:24 -0400

I never got the chance to this, but I did talk a fellow service member out of going AWOL. He actually listened.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2016 7:02 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 07:02:31 -0400

Never do a good deed with the motivation of getting something as a reward for doing it. Do it because it is the right thing to do, and you have the strength and integrity to do it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2016 7:54 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 07:54:57 -0400

I cannot take credit for saving someone's life, but I was given a Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal following my last deployment for volunteering many hours at the Wings of Hope Chapel in Manas, Kyrgyzstan. The paperwork never came through, so I cannot wear the medal. I was not motivated by the idea of the award, just killing time on an enjoyable deployment, so it does not bother me. I leave the medal in my 'I love me' case and have a story to tell when asked.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Apr 22 at 2016 10:32 AM

Capt Mark Strobl — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 10:32:22 -0400

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member - You're friend has lived to fight another day. Therein lies your award.

Response by CSM Michael Poll made Apr 22 at 2016 1:59 PM

CSM Michael Poll — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 13:59:50 -0400

Just my personal feeling, but your reward is that you saved your friends life, This is very admirable! I salute you for your calm demeanor in talking him down, not many people could have done that!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2016 2:33 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 14:33:33 -0400

all these comments have one thing in common, your reward is that another will live, you did you your duty, lived up to the code thats all you need, thank you for what you did, i hope your friend is getting the help they need, and be proud of yourself for being there, it sounds like you are a true friend

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2016 3:16 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 15:16:54 -0400

You did good SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member leave it there

Response by SSG Dennis Grossmann made Apr 22 at 2016 3:51 PM

SSG Dennis Grossmann — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 15:51:57 -0400

If they reward you, accept it. If they don't, always remember from the point you talked him out of it, good, bad, whatever, is all because of you. Awards are nice, but the piece of mind in knowing that you saved a life should suffice.
Congratulations for not looking the other way and showing actual concern for your brother in arms.

Response by SPC Brian Mason made Apr 23 at 2016 7:10 PM

SPC Brian Mason — Sat, 23 Apr 2016 19:10:06 -0400

I wouldn't want recognition like that for saving another soldier's life. However, as a Medic, I got the CMB before I even knew what one was. I was nervous and felt weird about it until my platoon LT, who awarded me, educated me about the Badge and its history. It relates to my MOS. I'm glad I had the opportunity to serve my country in that aspect in that MOS. I wouldn't choose any other one.

Response by SSG Jeremy Kohlwes made Apr 23 at 2016 10:55 PM

SSG Jeremy Kohlwes — Sat, 23 Apr 2016 22:55:44 -0400

Let it go. The fact that a fellow service member is still alive because of you is plenty of reward. I'm sure he won't forget it.

Response by SrA Leah Murchie made Apr 23 at 2016 11:02 PM

SrA Leah Murchie — Sat, 23 Apr 2016 23:02:08 -0400

No and I will tell you why because people need to be made aware and looking for the signs in one another. Suicide is on the rise. This would be a great way to help bring this more to the light. If it even saves one more person its worth it.

Response by SFC Timothy Bourgeois made Apr 24 at 2016 1:25 PM

SFC Timothy Bourgeois — Sun, 24 Apr 2016 13:25:28 -0400

Watching out for your fellow service member is a minimum expect ion for everyone that takes the oath of enlistment. Take care of your buddies, sometimes we're e only family that understands. Don't do it for a medal, do it for your buddy

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2016 2:03 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Apr 2016 14:03:20 -0400

You really want an award for that? And you haven't heard back from the COC ????? Have your heard from your friend? Is he still alive.... ? Hope so, That's your reward...

Response by PO3 Jay Glass made Apr 24 at 2016 2:25 PM

PO3 Jay Glass — Sun, 24 Apr 2016 14:25:39 -0400

You got your reward. You can still talk to your friend.

Response by Sgt Jamie Grippin made Apr 24 at 2016 7:09 PM

Sgt Jamie Grippin — Sun, 24 Apr 2016 19:09:23 -0400

let it go

Response by CPO Randy Francis made Apr 25 at 2016 12:19 PM

CPO Randy Francis — Mon, 25 Apr 2016 12:19:51 -0400

Is this a joke? You saved a friend's life and you want command recognition for it? I guess this is a millennial thing - equivalent to all of those participation trophies you kids were handed over the years. Be happy your friend and fellow soldier is alive and stop whining about recognition for talking him out of ending his life.

Response by SFC Carlos Gamino made Apr 25 at 2016 4:43 PM

SFC Carlos Gamino — Mon, 25 Apr 2016 16:43:38 -0400

Your reward is to able to see and talk to your friend and not to talk about him.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2016 6:38 PM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Apr 2016 18:38:25 -0400

Let me be clear for those that only read the title... I am NOT wanting an award... Again NOT is the key word. My command and his former command have told me numerous times that I was going to get "recognized for my actions" and curious if I should let it go. Please read before posting

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Apr 29 at 2016 2:55 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 14:55:22 -0400

The real award here is that your buddy is still alive. If you get something shiny on your chest, that is simply gravy.