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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 >1 y 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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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.
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1LT (Join to see)
SSgt Christophe Murphy I should also say that they were all required to provide MOS branch brass. I'm other words, when awarded their MOS on graduation day, they removed one US brass to replace it with branch MOS that they purchased.
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MAJ Ronnie Reams
!99th CG authorized the 24th and 93rd EVACs to authorize and award Purple Hearts in 1966.
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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.
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1LT (Join to see)
SGT Lorenzo Nieto Welcome home. I regret you were not properly recognized for your achievements, accomplishments, and sacrifices to our Nation.
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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...
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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.
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