Posted on Jul 27, 2015
Awards: How do we get it right in terms of recognizing performance?
12.5K
56
32
6
6
0
What is the appropriate way to acknowledge Soldiers accomplishments with awards. I have been in commands that rarely give awards other than mandatory PCS awards and I have been in a command that gave away AAM's every Friday safety brief.
I'd like to believe there is a happy medium. What are some TTP's for preserving the integrity of the medal being awarded, but not allowing our troopers to go unrecognized for work that is above and beyond the scope of their duties.
For leaders: What is your personal stance on medals, awards, and recognition? Did you use recognition techniques that didn't always translate to a soldiers ORB/ERB? Was it effective?
For junior Soldiers: Do you feel cheapened by awards? What would you prefer to recognize your accomplishments and a job well done? Do you feel we recognize too much or too little with awards?
I'd like to believe there is a happy medium. What are some TTP's for preserving the integrity of the medal being awarded, but not allowing our troopers to go unrecognized for work that is above and beyond the scope of their duties.
For leaders: What is your personal stance on medals, awards, and recognition? Did you use recognition techniques that didn't always translate to a soldiers ORB/ERB? Was it effective?
For junior Soldiers: Do you feel cheapened by awards? What would you prefer to recognize your accomplishments and a job well done? Do you feel we recognize too much or too little with awards?
Leadership
Awards
Morale
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 19
7
7
0
I am unfamiliar with the way that the DOA awards system, but I requested that my Skipper gave out Certificates of Commendations and Meritorious Mast anytime I saw the boys going above and beyond what was expected of a Marine of his rank/billet. I also ensured they filled a fleet hometown news release and mailed it myself through the Bn S1. I also kept SOA for each Marine/Navy Corpsman (can't forget about Doc) that fell under me. I updated these monthly with notes from Notebook. I also ensured my Plt/Co was represented and prep'ed for any Bn board that was on the horizon. I also invited my Skipper/Plt Cmdr to go walk with me throughout the week to observe (and to show off) his Company. I had a Skipper one time whose mantra was "Mission First, Marines Always". He believed that awards were to done in a timely fashion, not left sitting in the company office waiting to be presented. I also attended IOC with him as the SNCO Student and still consider him to a very close friend (even though he is now selected for LtCol and about to get his first Bn command) and one of the best true leaders I have ever met. Promotions should take place at morning formation on the first in front of the entire company on the first or the first weekday after the first. Never push off the formation until noon. That man/woman earned thier time in the lime light. Just my thoughts.
Semper Fidelis
Semper Fidelis
(7)
(0)
5
5
0
The senior leaders seem to get plenty of awards, those who are visible to this leadership get awards, the rest of us working our asses off behind the scene usually get nothing. I just wish the system wasn't biased.
(5)
(0)
CW3 (Join to see)
In my shirt career it seems as though it's more about who you know then what you did, which is unfortunate. I know plenty of peers that have had PCS and deployment awards downgraded because of rank while others who may not deserve said award are recommended. This "unwritten rule" mentality needs to go away so soldiers can get the recognition they deserve based on their accomplishments.
(1)
(0)
SGT Kristin Wiley
It's not an unwritten rule, my command posted award guidelines by rank...they get away with it because they wrote is as 'this award is normally appropriate for the work done by this rank'. An O-4 and E-8 spent less than a year at my unit (joint) and got a DMSM, when I leave after 3 1/2 years I would be lucky to get a JSCM.
(0)
(0)
1SG (Join to see)
SGT Kristin Wiley - It's sad, but in this case your are spot on. Awards are given to Soldiers based off many times if you are liked, when others worked hard and should be given the same treatment. Easier said in person" Being Professional and looking across the formation, so leaders that write the awards do an injustice which causes the awards to get downgraded...yes I have seen and fought CMD teams on their position of pay grade
(1)
(0)
SGT Kristin Wiley
1SG (Join to see) I'm glad someone in your position has been fighting the command on providing awards fairly. I wish more leaders would advocate for this.
(0)
(0)
5
5
0
When in doubt, go to the regulation: AR 600-8-22. One of my favorite myths is the use (misuse) by S-1s and commanders of quotas. The regulations says, "Limiting awards to a specific number per unit is not authorized."
(5)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
1SG (Join to see) and 1LT (Join to see) I was actually going to quote the same so I figure a sub comment suits more than a new thread. Sir, AR 600-8-22 was recently updated (25 June) and gives clarification on the guidance of impact awards. The reg actually states that impact award "are rare, and are used to recognize actions outside of regularly assigned duties" and that "impact awards should "only be submitted when the act is of such magnitude that it cannot be recognized in any other manner and delay would dimminish it's significance." It is my opinion that in order to preserve the integrity of the award units need to follow the reg and stop giving out awards for things like fixing the shops coffee pot.
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google