Posted on Apr 22, 2016
Award for talking a fellow Service Member out of killing themselves?
11K
92
35
6
5
1
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?
Awards
Suicide
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 21
14
14
0
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.
(14)
(0)
8
8
0
SPC(P) (Join to see) - You're friend has lived to fight another day. Therein lies your award.
(8)
(0)
8
8
0
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.
(8)
(0)
7
7
0
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.
(7)
(0)
SPC(P) (Join to see)
Of course SSG, I wasn't motivated by anything other than saving my buddies life.
(3)
(0)
TSgt (Join to see)
I agree with this comment. People do deserve recognition for their actions, but it should never be anticipated. It is not what is on your chest that makes you a great Soldier, but what is in your heart. Never look down because you did not get any recognition or the same as others, but look forward for what you have and will accomplish! We should all be "Quiet Professionals"
(2)
(0)
6
6
0
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!
(6)
(0)
4
4
0
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
(4)
(0)
SPC(P) (Join to see)
I made sure he got the proper care, I visited him a few times in the hospital before he was medically discharged
(0)
(0)
(0)
(0)
3
3
0
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.
(3)
(0)
3
3
0
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.
(3)
(0)
2
2
0
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.
Congratulations for not looking the other way and showing actual concern for your brother in arms.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google