Posted on Mar 23, 2015
Do you think that the COC will not take a recommendation seriously if an E-4 recommends somebody?
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As a Specialist most members of the E-4 Mafia are not often recognized for their achievements. But as far as recommendations go, do you think that the COC will not take a recommendation seriously if an E-4 recommends somebody? I recently recommended an O-4 for the Meritorious Service Medal. What are your thoughts?
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Responses: 11
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SSG(P) (Join to see), you have the thoughtful opinions of four senior NCOs, so I will be the first officer to respond.
Consider the approval authority. General officers retain the approval authority for the MSM. The overwhelming majority of MSM recommendations are going to come from probably E-7 / O-3 and above, at least in the Army. I am not saying that your recommendation will be summarily discarded, but you are in the severe minority and you draw attention to yourself by making this recommendation.
Next, consider the Major's supervisor. Of course AR 600-8-22 is not going to discuss Army culture, but that does not mean there isn't a social aspect to this. If you were a squad leader, and someone started writing awards for your subordinates, do you think that would make you look like you fail to recognize their accomplishments? Here is a far-fetched hypothetical: if you think GEN Odierno does a good job, are you going to recommend him for the Army DSM?
Finally, you have an established pattern of ... rocking the boat. Maybe you're a 10-year Specialist and you've got this whole Army thing figured out. I'm willing to guess you don't. I would like to see you take the proverbial chill pill. Learn the institution you serve, learn the culture, and make change where it's important and where you can.
None of this is to say that an E-4 can never recommend an O-4 for an award. Sometimes supervisors need to be spurred on to do their jobs, but on average, action like yours probably seems presumptuous.
Consider the approval authority. General officers retain the approval authority for the MSM. The overwhelming majority of MSM recommendations are going to come from probably E-7 / O-3 and above, at least in the Army. I am not saying that your recommendation will be summarily discarded, but you are in the severe minority and you draw attention to yourself by making this recommendation.
Next, consider the Major's supervisor. Of course AR 600-8-22 is not going to discuss Army culture, but that does not mean there isn't a social aspect to this. If you were a squad leader, and someone started writing awards for your subordinates, do you think that would make you look like you fail to recognize their accomplishments? Here is a far-fetched hypothetical: if you think GEN Odierno does a good job, are you going to recommend him for the Army DSM?
Finally, you have an established pattern of ... rocking the boat. Maybe you're a 10-year Specialist and you've got this whole Army thing figured out. I'm willing to guess you don't. I would like to see you take the proverbial chill pill. Learn the institution you serve, learn the culture, and make change where it's important and where you can.
None of this is to say that an E-4 can never recommend an O-4 for an award. Sometimes supervisors need to be spurred on to do their jobs, but on average, action like yours probably seems presumptuous.
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Every unit and Chain of Command is different SSG(P) (Join to see), different in their experiences, their values and their beliefs. Everyone will see the efforts and performance of others differently based on their own experiences and will approve or disapprove the awards recommendations.
The Chain of Command that trains with their units and shares hardships will see and understand their Soldiers grow and mature. Part of the growing process is to ensure everyone knows how to complete their administrative duties which includes the knowledge of how to complete a recommendation for an award. During a major joint multi-national training exercise we (the commander & I) encouraged our Soldiers, NCOs and Officers to complete the award recommendation by handwriting the form thus making it a quicker to get the award to the deserving Soldier. This included a SPC (E-4) that wrote a PFC (E-3) an award, that was approved and awarded on site, before we finished the training exercise.
Anybody that has knowledge of the act can make the recommendation.
The Chain of Command that trains with their units and shares hardships will see and understand their Soldiers grow and mature. Part of the growing process is to ensure everyone knows how to complete their administrative duties which includes the knowledge of how to complete a recommendation for an award. During a major joint multi-national training exercise we (the commander & I) encouraged our Soldiers, NCOs and Officers to complete the award recommendation by handwriting the form thus making it a quicker to get the award to the deserving Soldier. This included a SPC (E-4) that wrote a PFC (E-3) an award, that was approved and awarded on site, before we finished the training exercise.
Anybody that has knowledge of the act can make the recommendation.
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SSG(P) (Join to see), in theory anyone can recommend anyone for any award.
Having said that, it would be difficult to believe that a SPC was in a position to observe and record performance of an O-4 that rises to that level.
If you did (not saying you didn't), I would recommend having a conversation through your CoC to an appropriate level for this recognition. It may be an oversight and his recommendation was "misplaced". It may be that something happened that you are not privy to that caused the Major to not be recommended.
Go for it, but make sure your CoC is informed.
Having said that, it would be difficult to believe that a SPC was in a position to observe and record performance of an O-4 that rises to that level.
If you did (not saying you didn't), I would recommend having a conversation through your CoC to an appropriate level for this recognition. It may be an oversight and his recommendation was "misplaced". It may be that something happened that you are not privy to that caused the Major to not be recommended.
Go for it, but make sure your CoC is informed.
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