Can someone be retroactively awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Oct 2019 01:52:47 -0400

A buddy of mine is up for the GCM for his last 3 years of clean records. In the past, during the end of his third year he was flagged hence he was denied the GCM. During his next three years until he ETS'ed out of active duty he was also not given the GCM for reasons UNK. He has now completed 3 good years and is being awarded the GCM for his good service. Question: can he get his initial 2 GCM's this time as well?

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Oct 30 at 2019 5:42 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Wed, 30 Oct 2019 05:42:14 -0400

If he had an adverse action, no. If he performed the next three honorably he should be able to. He needs to see his 1SG, and the PAC. Thank you for your service.

Response by MSG Gary Eckert made Oct 30 at 2019 8:46 AM

MSG Gary Eckert — Wed, 30 Oct 2019 08:46:09 -0400

All adverse actions do not disqualify someone from receiving a Good Conduct Medal. If someone is convicted by Court Martial that is an automatic disqualification and his new period starts the day after his CM sentence is complete. Otherwise, the Commander is required to complete a memorandum disapproving the GCM and indicate what dates are being disapproved. It is possible his previous Commander did disapprove the award and if so the disapproval should be part of his Official records. Since the Soldier is still on active duty, his Commander can approve the retroactive award; although, he will need to query HRC to determine whether a previous Commander disapproved the award. Commanders are supposed to look at the Soldier's entire performance during the award period not just what caused him to be flagged.

Response by COL R. Bruce Chisholm made Oct 30 at 2019 9:10 AM

COL R. Bruce Chisholm — Wed, 30 Oct 2019 09:10:28 -0400

The GCM roster in the 1990s was a go/no go action by the company commander. Cdr had to deny an individual or just sign the (computer printout) document to award the medal to all for the month.
After denial, the clock started again and three years later the Soldier would appear for the go/no go roster. Two years, eleven months and 29 days and then an incident? Commander could deny and the three year clock would start over.
Some commanders paid more attention than others.
The result was uneven awards of the GCM.
Your friend appears to have two periods of non qualifying service. If friend's recent three years was honorable service, friend is eligible for GCM first award.

Response by COL R. Bruce Chisholm made Oct 30 at 2019 9:13 AM

COL R. Bruce Chisholm — Wed, 30 Oct 2019 09:13:48 -0400

Btw, friend is active duty? If friend is USAR, friend is working for the ARCAM. (Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal)

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2019 9:31 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Oct 2019 09:31:58 -0400

No for the first, unlikely for the second period where denied for "unknown."
AR 600-8-22, 5 MAR 2019.
4-7 d., e., There "should" have been a commander's memorandum explaining the rationale, and the period of disqualification place in the Soldier's AMHRR, and an eMILPO transaction should have been submitted to establish a new "beginning date..."
1-14, ...each recommendation must be entered administratively into military channels within 2 years...
1-16, request for reconsideration or appeal of a disapproved award must be places in official channels within 1 year...
1-17 (1) Individuals on whom favorable personnel actions have been suspended are neither recommended for, nor receive an award... (however, see 4-6 d.)
4-6 c., ....record of non-judicial punishment or unfavorable action should not be viewed as automatically disqualifying...
4-6 d., "Suspension of favorable personnel action does not automatically terminate the eligibility period."
4-7 b., c., ...bar to reenlistment under AR 601-280, or whose retention is not warranted under the standards of AR 380-67 are not eligible...
4-11. Retroactive award will be processed by unit commander "provided evidence is available to establish qualification."

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Oct 30 at 2019 3:05 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Wed, 30 Oct 2019 15:05:17 -0400

Don't know what the rules say, but I know what happened with me.

I ETSed from Active Duty, and about a year later I get a phone call from my old 1SG. Turns out they were sitting on my GCM medal for a while and wanted to know where to mail it to. I met the criteria and turned out, was awarded it. My unit lost my ETS award (AAM), and at the time I wasn't all that concerned about tracking that award, so I certainly wasn't focusing in on a GCM. I probably noticed it on my DD214, then forgot all about it until 1SG wanted to give me the physical medal. I know there are mechanisms in place to retroactively correct earned awards, but I don't know what they are. I'm sure Google can help with that.