Does the Army no longer present the physical medal to the soldier when awarded, only a citation certificate?

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 15:24:25 -0400

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.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2024 3:36 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 15:36:43 -0400

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.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Jun 24 at 2024 3:55 PM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 15:55:37 -0400

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.

Response by SGT Lorenzo Nieto made Jun 25 at 2024 7:17 AM

SGT Lorenzo Nieto — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 07:17:49 -0400

Spent a month in an army hospital after getting out went to my next unit never got nothing I mean no metals no nothing after leaving viet nam I think the government fore got all about me. None the less I did my job if I were to buy them I would be paying $300.00 oh well that’s life.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jun 26 at 2024 8:32 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 08:32:08 -0400

I would guess that being a training command they ran out or on back order of awards and all of the goodies that come with it. I don't think your Son's experience would be an example of Army Policy. Also guessing when the achievement medal was processed it could be pending final signature before the package will be shipped out. I have had that happen in the past where the photo op was done before final signature on the award was done so you end up waiting on S1 to catch up.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Jun 26 at 2024 9:03 AM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 09:03:06 -0400

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.

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Sep 1 at 2024 10:01 PM

SGT Matthew S. — Sun, 01 Sep 2024 22:01:24 -0400

For the majority of my awards, I don't think I was even presented with the ribbon for my Class 'A's; I had to purchase most mine.

Response by PFC Charles Sanford made Oct 9 at 2025 1:52 PM

PFC Charles Sanford — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 13:52:42 -0400

I hold that medal from back in the mid eighties and it was awarded in front of the entire company and it was presented to me by the captain or CO in Army speak...Even though its a minor achievement, It still deserves to be honored with an award ceremony. Mine was for bringing the company up to 97 percent battle ready as a pll clerk...I worked at that without much help and it was recognized...kinda like an atta boy with a little good punch to it...I was honored...