Can a peer submit someone for an award for a joint exercise if the senior leadership is already submitting for an award?

SSG Jamil Spruill — Fri, 26 May 2017 05:47:45 -0400

Response by SFC Vernon McNabb made May 26 at 2017 8:14 AM

SFC Vernon McNabb — Fri, 26 May 2017 08:14:14 -0400

From my experience, "No". You can't be awarded twice for the same event.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2017 11:02 AM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 May 2017 11:02:26 -0400

The award can't be for the same things, and it couldn't be a service award for the same period of service.

However, if it was an impact/achievement award covering things not seen or recognized in a service award during the same time period, that may still be acceptable.

A superior, peer, or technically even subordinate can initiate an award, so long as the Command signature chain is proper, and the commander approves it.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made May 26 at 2017 11:24 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Fri, 26 May 2017 11:24:30 -0400

When I went to WLC we were told you can submit anything for anyone, but it doesn't mean it will go anywhere. If there's already one in the works, no need to bother duplicating.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made May 26 at 2017 11:40 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Fri, 26 May 2017 11:40:09 -0400

Why bother? An Awards Board or commander will most likely recognize the duplicate submissions. It might cause both submissions to be disapproved.

Response by SSG Jamil Spruill made May 26 at 2017 11:52 AM

SSG Jamil Spruill — Fri, 26 May 2017 11:52:15 -0400

I understand that double submissions can cause conflicts, this is only in case personnel don't receive anything or serious bullets that deserve to be recognized go unnoticed then I can make sure I bring light to them.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made May 26 at 2017 12:39 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Fri, 26 May 2017 12:39:26 -0400

Anyone can submit a 638 on anyone else, doesn't matter the rank. Just get your fact correct and get all the signatures. Just remember if a person is being submitted for the same thing by someone else, yours might get kick back.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2017 1:24 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 May 2017 13:24:06 -0400

My suggestion is to get with the senior leadership and tell them what you observed. I'm sure they would appreciate the bullet point. As others have mentioned, if you are trying to recognize an event that is separate from the other stuff that is being recommended, then by all means submit.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made May 26 at 2017 1:56 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Fri, 26 May 2017 13:56:28 -0400

Yes, but why would they if leadership is already submitting one?

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Jun 4 at 2017 1:45 PM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Sun, 04 Jun 2017 13:45:00 -0400

Doesn't hurt to submit. If the CO concurs and the recommendation is going to a more senior command, your recommendation may indeed be attached as additional justification for the recommended award.

Response by CW4 Don Kite made Jul 20 at 2018 10:27 PM

CW4 Don Kite — Fri, 20 Jul 2018 22:27:47 -0400

When I was a young E4 back in the day I had an E7 that didn't believe in giving awards for training exercises. So, to prove a point. I wrote one foe him and it went through. With my signature as the recommender. He was surprised and changed his way of thinking. Said that that one lonely AAM ment more to him that all the others he had received.