Posted on Jun 24, 2024
Does the Army no longer present the physical medal to the soldier when awarded, only a citation certificate?
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My child was awarded an AAM for Distinguished Honor Grad. My child received the citation certificate but did not receive a medal, ribbon, and lapel pin.
I asked, "where is your medal?" The reply was, "I don't know, I think they mail the medal to me."
I had to purchase all of the above. When did that happen? Certificate but no pinned medal by the commander when awarded.
Soldiers are required to purchase their own medals rather than being presented the award?
Help me understand why this is this way.
Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply.
I asked, "where is your medal?" The reply was, "I don't know, I think they mail the medal to me."
I had to purchase all of the above. When did that happen? Certificate but no pinned medal by the commander when awarded.
Soldiers are required to purchase their own medals rather than being presented the award?
Help me understand why this is this way.
Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply.
Posted in these groups: 
Army Achievement Medal
Unit Awards
Army Achievement Medal Unit Awards
Posted 6 mo ago
Responses: 7
Could be they didn't have any on hand at the moment. There could be many reasons as to why a medal wasn't pinned.
I've personally seen award ceremonies where the medal was pinned but taken back after the ceremony due to limited stock. My own MSM from my last deployment was clipped on my collar then taken back by S1.
I've personally seen award ceremonies where the medal was pinned but taken back after the ceremony due to limited stock. My own MSM from my last deployment was clipped on my collar then taken back by S1.
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LTC Jason Mackay
The way it was explained to me is that the first one of that type is awarded to you, you keep it. Subsequent awards are taken back and the Company/S1 have a set of presentation medals. I have never seen this in writing.
My parents were aghast when my retirement award was returned after the ceremony.
My parents were aghast when my retirement award was returned after the ceremony.
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1LT (Join to see)
MSG (Join to see) No, actually, when my child arrived at AIT, a document of graduation requirements included the requirement to purchase Regimental Corps pin, the Rainbow Ribbon (Army Service Ribbon).
These items were issued when I completed AIT. I did not purchase them myself.
These items were issued when I completed AIT. I did not purchase them myself.
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MSG (Join to see)
1LT (Join to see) - Ah. Methinks it could be unit based. I say this because it brings to memory when I was in Basic (1993), we were told that we could either could either be given our marksmanship badges for free OR given our National Defense ribbons for free but not both. In my first AIT (1994), we all had to purchase our RDIs, our Branch Insignia, and our Army Service Ribbon. But then, that company was F Co, 232nd Med BN, which was well known for being douchey to Troops.
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1LT (Join to see)
MSG (Join to see) I am actually SMH. I never purchased a medal, MOS brass, or awarded ribbons.
For my second award, GCM, I was presented with my certificate and knot.
However, when I received my NDSM (1991), we were openly told the government was too cheap to provide it to us, that stock was too low, and that we may want to check local surplus stores or Vietnam Veterans.
For my second award, GCM, I was presented with my certificate and knot.
However, when I received my NDSM (1991), we were openly told the government was too cheap to provide it to us, that stock was too low, and that we may want to check local surplus stores or Vietnam Veterans.
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Gonna go out on a limb here and say there is a good chance the unit is dangerously low or depleted on available stock. There are multiple reasons why a physical medal was not presented but I'd say that's the most likely.
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If'n I was his CO, and had no medal. I would go to the quartermaster store and buy one out of pocket and present it. Prolly less than $5.00.
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