Earning a Meritorious Service Medal on retirement, did it reflect your last position, the last 10 years of your career or your whole career?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 12:26:22 -0400

I understand some of you may have received a higher award or no award but I'm asking for guidance on writing my own MSM. My G3 wants me to mostly reflect my last position when my last position is mostly been doing online courses due to Covid. The admin to the General in my unit is also a First sergeant. She said to put bullet points on my DD 638 reflecting the last 10 years.

My situation was I was mobilized to Operation Noble Eagle 3 ( 2003-2004) for one year at Dugway Proving Ground as a Platoon Leader of a QRF. I deployed to Iraq in 2004-2005 to OIF 3/4 as a 1LT, to Afghanistan as a CPT. Most of my time as a Major was as an OC/T. I was part of a team evaluating Battalion Staff. I did complete CGSOC in 2016. I did work for 5th army army North for 2 months helping out on Canadian exercise Maple Resolve. In 2018, I was picked up as a double slotted deputy commander of a brigade. I helped the brigade during Maple resolve 2019. My current position as the G9 of a one Star Command also has me as the head of the Force Protection since I am a Lieutenant Colonel in a Major slot. My position has been mostly a figurehead since I have been gone most of the time because I live in Canada and have not been able to do more than a 25 day A.T. last year. I came to my unit 3 weeks ago for a few days to sign my retirement paperwork. I am going to retire on 1 November of this year.

I want your feedback on how you were able to frame your retirement bullets. I already wrote my bullets in this order and my G3 wants me to change them. What do you think?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2021 12:41 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 12:41:22 -0400

My DD638 is written I can send my bullets to those who want to see it.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Apr 10 at 2021 1:00 PM

SFC Stephen King — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 13:00:09 -0400

No, specifically to my experience awards have become trivial. I say this from a insightful perspective I watched people get awards in 20 yrs for doing there job. Yet, my Father should have been awarded more. I have 3 MSMs but I feel my my good conduct medals are more important to me.

Response by LTC Vincent Moore made Apr 10 at 2021 1:57 PM

LTC Vincent Moore — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 13:57:46 -0400

10 years back is the limit as I understand it, may even be in regs. I was also told to focus on last duty assignment which sometimes makes sense from the standpoint that you probably haven’t received an award yet for achievements at you most recent job, but for me, I was coming back stateside from Germany for 1 year plus 1 day to retire and spent much of that year in ACAP, medical appointments and terminal leave. My first write up I did a whole career summary because there were many things early in my career that I was underawarded for because I didn’t understand the system, but that was sent back for a rewrite limited to 10 years. Ultimately I got an MSM, but probably mostly because I had 1 MSM already and an ARCOM for a retirement...well they might as well just keep it. Turned out to be just between me and the Army since there was 0 fanfare as I ran out the door in the middle of the pandemic.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2021 2:13 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 14:13:10 -0400

Don't you as an officer deserve at least a Legion of Merit, for meritorious service for a career? Why are your commanders so lazy? Hell, why should you be writing your own commendation?

Response by MSG Gary Eckert made Apr 10 at 2021 3:25 PM

MSG Gary Eckert — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 15:25:26 -0400

While the time limit for retirement awards is the previous ten years, when they released the most recent awards regulation the clarified that provision to say that using the current assignment is the norm and the extended period should only be used if the current assignment didn’t warrant an award. Even if you have been working online, you should still concentrate on those duties before expanding to 10 years.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 10 at 2021 3:37 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 15:37:55 -0400

What did you do with ARNORTH?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 10 at 2021 3:46 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 15:46:36 -0400

U did not answer my question.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2021 5:15 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 17:15:40 -0400

Someone else also asked, but why not a Legion of Merit? While they may downgrade to MSM, LOM is often the appropriate recognition for an officer with your level of responsibility.

Since they are making you write your own, I recommend an LOM. Make them downgrade it.

Response by CMSgt David Bridge made Apr 10 at 2021 5:26 PM

CMSgt David Bridge — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 17:26:59 -0400

Last job - recent accomplishments. Serving 20 years got you a paycheck. I HATE it when leadership gives an award that isn’t earned.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2021 5:27 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 17:27:21 -0400

I have worked with many seniors on their retirement awards and I start at the last 10 years and work back if more is needed. It is a retirement award and the fact they are jumping through hoops is disappointing for a command.

Response by LTC Trent Klug made Apr 10 at 2021 6:33 PM

LTC Trent Klug — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 18:33:36 -0400

Congratulations on your upcoming retirement!
In Oregon, the LOM is reserved for those who had a successful battalion command.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2021 8:57 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 20:57:31 -0400

Sir - none. No award was recommend upon my retirement.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Apr 10 at 2021 9:01 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 21:01:14 -0400

Thank you my friend LTC Private RallyPoint Member for posting your background and your concerns.
1st I have not received my own retirement award yet - after 13 years since retiring :-)
The MSM is suitable for retirement IMHO. I was awarded the MSM four times.
To me, my national defense service awards are the most significant. I was awarded a Good Conduct medal but that was an automatic award.

1. I recommend complete sentences in bullet form. Try to develop the thought in a complete sentence. If required you could use more than one sentence per bullet.

2. In general previous awards have a bearing so it makes sense to list your awards - especially any for valor or meritorious service - in that order. Hopefully you have at least one ARCOM. From your displayed ribbons you have been awarded the ARCOM.

3. The 10 year rule for award is applicable to retirement awards. Since you are USAR, I would not limit my highlights to the past 10 years.
4. I would mention significant aspects of your deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. ONE should also be mentioned especially if you did something significant in that mobilization.
5. It is okay to use information that was used for a prior award. I would review the award citations for ARCOM, AAM, etc.

Thank you my friend SGT Private RallyPoint Member for mentioning me.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Apr 10 at 2021 10:43 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 22:43:04 -0400

The last ones I did for Soldiers before retiring covered the last ten years of their service.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2021 10:48 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 22:48:01 -0400

Mine covered the last 10 years which was at the same unit and position

Response by LTC John Mohor made Apr 10 at 2021 11:13 PM

LTC John Mohor — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 23:13:17 -0400

Stephen congrats on reaching retirement. Keep it to the last 10 years. Personally I had enough heart burn having to write my OER Support Forms with recommended senior rater comments for officers I rated. On LOMs most commands seem to have unwritten rules about Soldiers having to be commanders of Battalions or CSMs of Battalions or higher in order to get a LOM.
I only knew of one very deserving AGR MSG getting an LOM. I recommended three LOM retirement recommendation only one worked. The others are never downgraded they direct rewriting and submitting as the next lower award. I provided the information and requested a subordinate to write a recommendation and submit my retirement award. Fortunately he was a well learned former S-1 that even knew how to get Governor, State Legislature, and Former Presidents and Presidents letters congratulating me upon retirement for my retirement ceremony. Unfortunately it’s more the exception than the rule in the USAR. You’ve done a fine job serving your country in the Army Reserve. Just do your best to plan a nice retirement ceremony for your friends and family it’s your last opportunity to thank the folks publicly that helped you along the way in your reserve career. I was able to get friends from college and representatives from each unit I served in somehow to attend that last Sunday BA along with family. Even my mentors, Senior Army Instructor LTC Joe Byrd High School JROTC was there along with my Dad. It’s a memory I cherish.

Response by Maj Maria Avellaneda made Apr 11 at 2021 1:48 AM

Maj Maria Avellaneda — Sun, 11 Apr 2021 01:48:25 -0400

I agree with SPC King .Awards have little real meaning. In some Commands they have a table of awards for different things not necessarily excellent behavior or going above and beyond. Many people that are truly deserving of awards don’t get them because nobody wants to write them and follow t rough.

Response by 1SG John Highfill made Apr 11 at 2021 8:17 AM

1SG John Highfill — Sun, 11 Apr 2021 08:17:53 -0400

Be thankful your getting one I retired from the Reserves with 2 MSM as a First Sergeant never had a negative bullet on a NCOER . I never got a retirement award . It’s a bitter pill

Response by Capt Chris McVeigh made Apr 11 at 2021 9:54 PM

Capt Chris McVeigh — Sun, 11 Apr 2021 21:54:55 -0400

I'm sorry...they are asking you to write your own award? (hopefully just informational bullets that they will turn into the actual award). That aside, retirement awards I've seen have always discussed more than the current tour of duty.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2021 10:26 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Apr 2021 22:26:22 -0400

Ten years! You must be kidding.

Response by SMSgt Bob Wilson made Apr 12 at 2021 1:19 AM

SMSgt Bob Wilson — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 01:19:39 -0400

You supposed to get one for retirement? Wow.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Apr 12 at 2021 10:47 AM

SSG Edward Tilton — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 10:47:24 -0400

Perfect Attendance

Response by GySgt Kenneth Pepper made Apr 12 at 2021 11:21 AM

GySgt Kenneth Pepper — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 11:21:50 -0400

According to my last CO there is a list of appropriate end of tour awards based on rank alone.
I saw the Post-it note on the MSM recommendation from my Maintenance Officer (LtCol) to the Commanding officer (also a LtCol): "E-7 end of tour = NCM, not MSM"
I don't think he even read it.
Two bullet points out of many:
- Personally managed the effort to upgrade the CH-53D model to a stronger engine, which allowed 3 aircraft squadrons to enter the Afghanistan rotation.
- Supervised the recovery and return of 2 NMC aircraft, 2 spare engines and millions of dollars of spare part and tools from Al Asad Air Base back to MCB Hawaii.
Not to mention a successful tour as a recruiter.

Response by COL Robert Gilbert made Apr 16 at 2021 11:26 PM

COL Robert Gilbert — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 23:26:34 -0400

I always follow a guideline that was passed down to me over the years. If a person is retiring and a MSM is to be awarded, go back 10 years. If the soldier is not retiring, it would be based on the current assignment.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2021 7:47 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 May 2021 07:47:59 -0400

Really? Write your own narrative? I retired with twenty years, two deployments, DS/DS and Somalia. I basically was given a slap in the face. I did my job and did it very well. I guess I see how the chain of command really felt about me. That’s ok and I’m not sniveling. What I am saying is if your chain of command isn’t writing it and submitting it, then something is wrong. In the military, it’s a thankless job. I get more appreciation from my fellow vets than I ever did in the Army. Move on sir, look forward, not back.