Can a Soldier refuse an award?

Wow, a deployment. What always the length, what makes them believe they warranted an ARCOM, do they maybe want an MSM. The average award for junior enlisted following a full 3 year assignment is generally an AAM, ARCOM if they distinguished them selves a couple of times during that tour. In order to refuse it, they would need to tell the Commander they don’t want it. That might be an awkward discussion to say the least. You, yourself state they deserved more, what have you done to temper their expectations, or did you fan the flame by telling them you thought they deserved more. Look I am not saying he is petty, nor am I saying you are looking to make friends out of subordinates. I am saying I could go on all day with this one. Teach humility, do not feed vanity. Teach honor and duty, do not suggest more pay. Teach selfless service not look what I have done. He should learn to follow, and you should teach him that. Duty first.

Boo Hoo! I didn't get the award I wanted. Here's my thought, if the nature of your service is predicated on how my bits of colored ribbon you can amass, you are probably in wrong career. Everyone likes to recognized for superior performance, and it is important for leaders to recognize that performance appropriately, but to be recognized and be upset that you didn't get the one you want and arrogant enough to not accept it.... Grow up.

Army kids are so spoiled, in the Corps good luck getting a coin

I get it, I was in a small unit where all the officers and the senior NCO got bronze starts and the rest of the NOC's got AAM's. The funny part is only one officer ever went outside the wall.

Yes, I was medically retired and I refused my EOT award. It was kind of a smack in the face to me I said I did not need another NAM. I felt a navy commendation medal was more appropriate. FYI I already have an JCOM, ARCOM, AAM, and NAM from two deployments: OIF and OEF as a corpsman. I worked as a Naval Hospital and was pulled from a very easy shore duty and deployed twice when so many others would go and hide when a volunteer was asked.

I was injured on my second deployment was medvac out of country and gradually made my way back to my parent command. I went through a MEB/PEB over 18 months and was retired but still continued to bust my butt getting qualified and training junior sailors. Might add I was sailor of the year for my command the in 2006. When they told me I was getting a NAM I refused it I already had a NAM and was in an e-6 billet as an e-5. I stepped up multiple times beyond the line of duty and felt I deserved a Navy Comm which they had awarded to other e-5s and e-6s who literally ran records. When I asked why I only got a navy acheivement medal my chief said "well you got here in 03 and were gone for over 26 months so we really never got to keep an eye on you" my response was "I was deployed to combat zones when your favorite sailors were here petting the pooch and I have been here for 18 months since I was injured and constantly stepped". FYI after I left a female e-5 who he was banging got a Navy Commendation Medal. I retired the morning of the award ceremony got my in car and drove back home to start college a few days later. While on the highway my chief called me and asked me where I was and I stated I was in my car driving back home because I am starting college after the 4th of July and that I am officially retired. He asked if I wanted my NAM I said he can give it to someone else.

Cody, look at it two ways: [1] How does it effect your career opportunities or are you ready to "cut bait" and get out? [2] Tell them you regretfully decline the award for personal reasons. Remember, however, someone else thought you deserved the award for your actions. Your actions speak volumes with either decision.