Posted on Feb 6, 2014
Do you think this would be a good way to recognize people who stayed in for the long-haul?
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In the most recent edition of Army Times, a Sergeant First Class puts forth the case to create a "Retirement Award" for those who serve twenty or more years. <div><br></div><div>Do you think this would be a good way to recognize people who stayed in for the long-haul? Or do you think it just another award for "checking the block" like the Army Service Ribbon?</div>
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 32
Though I have not read the article you are referring to---here is my initial thought:

First of all, it would be an enlisted award only, similar to the good conduct medal, which is an award that is already geared towards those who distinguish himself/herself from among his/her fellow soldiers by their exemplary conduct, efficiency, and fidelity throughout a specified period of continuous enlisted active Federal military service. Presents the question in my mind---So now you want ETS award and a cherry on top to make you feel better for volunteering more time? Technically, 20 years is the minimum time required to qualify for retirement, perhaps a letter from the President would be more fitting for this occasion. I don't see the justification for a new award for something that falls within the normal limits of many career paths or choices to remain in service in order to accumulate the correct number of years (3) at their highest held rank in order to secure their higher pension rate.
That being said, it would make more sense to have to earned all of your good conduct medals as a pre-requisite for any other distinguishing award (In this hypothetical context). If they really thought this out before submitting an article to the Army Times, then they should have mulled this over. It seems redundant. Why would anyone want to generate an award that could automatically be obtained without some sort of distinguishing action? There are literally people who stay in and hide out in the military that don't exude the character and leadership qualities that are required to lead our nation's best and brightest Soldiers.
I am not suggesting to ignore their long term commitment or degrade any one person's views, however I maybe missing something on this one. Please let me know if you think it would be justified because I certainly don't feel a consensus building for the genesis of a new "retirement" specific award.
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CW2 (Join to see)
=) I agree with what you are saying but It says a lot for someone to pull off the required 20 years during times of downsizing the Military... I know quite a few people that made it to 16-17 years and did not make a list somewhere and in turn they where given a pink slip.
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Sir,
There is a Retirement Award already in place. Mine is deposited into my checking the beginning of each month. I thank you and every tax paying citizen for that award. This is not to say that my unit did not provide me anything, but somewhere there is a watch that I will never take out of the box it came in and maybe my daughter will have some use for the medals and awards, when they are throwing dirt on my coffin…but I would not bet money on it?
There is a Retirement Award already in place. Mine is deposited into my checking the beginning of each month. I thank you and every tax paying citizen for that award. This is not to say that my unit did not provide me anything, but somewhere there is a watch that I will never take out of the box it came in and maybe my daughter will have some use for the medals and awards, when they are throwing dirt on my coffin…but I would not bet money on it?
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I didn't know there was a petition. It wasn't publicized enough. I agree there should be a medal. Especally now that someone can retire in the single digit years.
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I think giving a universal award for retirement cheapens the accomplishment for some and advances it for others. That is, the character of service of 20 years is vastly different for members and a universal award in my opinion levels a playing field that doesn't need to be. Soldiers are generally given ETS/Retirement awards based on their service and I believe that is sufficient.
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I think that it is a move in the right direction to level the award playing field. When you look at the awards that are presented as ETS/Retirement Awards, Officer v NCO v Lower Enlisted, it is certainly not fair. The regulation allows for recommending as high as 2 above the highest award attained for longevity ETS and retirement yet enlisted always receive the ARCOM (unless retire with over 20 years or with rank MSG or E9). Most enlisted that I have heard discuss this are in support as most officers are not (in my footprint). This is typical to the first point that I made (award distribution v rank).
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I just can not understand the purpose of it. When I retire next year I will probably receive a retirement award, letter from the President, retirement flag, etc. Is the retirement award going on my uniform? Doubt it. To be honest I can not see a time where, after retirement, I would be wearing the uniform. It would be the same with a retirement medal. Heck, even if I retired and got called back on Active Duty I wouldn't put that medal on. It would just result in a lot of "you poor bastard" conversations.
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SFC Gary (Bigsarge) Portier USARMY RET.
SFC who do you ask for this flag? Seems to me it would be automatic.
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I personally find the concept of a retirement medal ridiculous, especially with its proposed order of precedence. Congrats, you've made it 20 years, that doesn't mean you have made a greater achievement than someone who's earned a DSC or Silver Star. I find the entire idea disgraceful if for no other reason than that.
If anything we should be reducing "flair," not adding to it.
If anything we should be reducing "flair," not adding to it.
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hell yeah is a good idea, on this day and age where you get awards based on who you know, a quota set by the brigade commander, etc, you will know when you see it that it's actually earned, not gifted
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<p>Capt Charters:</p><p><br></p><p>It definitely speaks volumes and immediately lets your peers know where you are in your career. </p>
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Honestly I love adding to my Blues! Im not trying to knock the idea but we do get good conduct and service stripes that go on the uniform for the years of service, so others will know how long you have been in. But it does look cool!
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With the rest of the "freebie" metals the Army hands out I don't see a purpose behind developing a "US Service Retirement Metal" (or whatever name they would give it). As stated before, you get letters, and other things when you retire. If the military was to just give away more metals, you would see PVT's coming out of basic with 3 or 4 rows of ribbons before they even hit their first unit and retirees trying to figure out how to fit their fruit salad on their uniform without the metals going over their shoulder.
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It's to late for me now but I would be all for it. It should have happened long ago. I was Retired Last month with 31 years 10 months AC n RC and I left with a scanned set of orders only.
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SFC (Join to see)
Actual I do believe that you can still be submitted for an award. Most commands want to see these submitted at least 180 days prior to separation! Hope you receive one Big Sarge.
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MSA/MSM Already Exists in the Navy. Got mine from Commander Naval Security Group. Also unless things are changed when you retire you get a LOA signed by SECDEF at 20 and the President if you do 30. I did 21 my LOA was signed by Bill Clinton probably because I retired off his Flag Ship, USS Arkansas CGN-41.
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I like the idea. isn't some thing given to a Soldier after 30 years of Service? I think MSM should be automatic.
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I actually do not disagree with his recommendation for this to be an award and I do not view it as a check the block. Obviously this isn't being implemented yet, but as I see it, in the Army of the near future, it is going to be an accomplishment to have 20 years of service. This will especially hold true if we implement new retirement procedures for years less than 20. The Army is downsizing as we all now, and in the near future, if you are not progressing up, you are egressing out.
I do not know if I necessarily agree with the placement on the rack although the idea of closing out the rack makes sense, however, what do we do when awards are presented post military career for actions in service? I think this award would deserve placement not necessarily at the bottom, but not necessarily at the top. If you received standards awards it should be placed above them, but if you received awards with v device etc, than it should go below. Might complicate things a bit for people who can't navigate a reg. in no circumstances though should this be placed above MoH.
In the end it's all food for thought. I give the NCO credit for coming up with an idea to recognize people with a specific award. Other items that we give retirees do not denote retirement, without a placard or explanation, but with this award on the rack, everyone would know your achievement without question.
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I always looked at my retirement medal as the $$ that is going to be hitting my bank account while I am sitting on the beach somewhere, not working.
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I will just be like receiving a coin. Not worth anything but braggin rights.
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