Has anyone in the Army received an Air Force Achievement Medal?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 01:47:26 -0400

I’m curious what you did or how you were recognized for this award. Also I’m not talking about prior service in another branch but being awarded this while you were in the Army. Had a soldier that said he got one while in Iraq just curious if anyone else has one.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Aug 26 at 2019 2:13 AM

CW4 Craig Urban — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 02:13:26 -0400

How about 6 Army achievement medals. And a meritorious service medal? Good conduct.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2019 2:24 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 02:24:11 -0400

It is possible if you have an Air Force officer in charge of a provincial reconstruction team or base give an award to Army personnel. In my case, since I was working with a navy and army combined staff, I was hoping that my Army Commendation Medal is that my civil affairs director put me in for serving in Afghanistan as PRT Farah Commander's emergency response program officer in my civil Affairs team would be a Navy Commendation Medal instead but it was turned into my local task force and it did not end up being a Navy one. So it all depends who signs the order and who puts it in for you and who actually approved it.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2019 8:10 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 08:10:20 -0400

It is poaaible.
I had several Soldiers receive the Navy Commendation Medal for our period in Iraq with 1 MARDIV, 1 MEF.
The USMC commander recommended the awards and they were processed through their awards system.

Response by SFC Michael D. made Aug 26 at 2019 8:41 AM

SFC Michael D. — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 08:41:15 -0400

I have the Army Acheesement Metal with two silver oak leaf clusters on it. I can't really pinpoint the reason I got them. I think that when the military gives out too many of a type of award, it lessens the value of the award. That is why the Army Achievement Metal was born. Too many Army Acomindation Metals were being given out. That's why my Disabled Vet license plate has the Air Metal on it. You really don't see that many of those hanging around. Bronze Stars are the going thing now. I've seen some people get it that haven't done a damn thing to deserve it. Again lessening the value of another Metal.

Response by MSG Gary Eckert made Aug 26 at 2019 10:14 AM

MSG Gary Eckert — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 10:14:14 -0400

I don't have this one but I have three Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards from when I was stationed at Rhein Main AB. For the Air Force it is worn with their individual awards. In the Army it is worn as a unit award. Since it does not have the frame of laurel leaves like other unit awards, it looked out of place whenever I wore it.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2019 12:12 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 12:12:35 -0400

Thats a good question. Id say maybe
Because you'd need to have AF officers over you which means you'd be attach to the air force which would make a joint operation they have a separate medal for that. However, I was army attached to marines and some of us got combat action ribbons and navy achievement and commendation medals

Response by SPC William Weedman made Sep 27 at 2020 3:44 PM

SPC William Weedman — Sun, 27 Sep 2020 15:44:52 -0400

Met an AF NCO with an AAM. Seems his AF medical unit responded to an Army unit that had been in a mass casualty situation. The Army commander pushed AAMs for everyone in the AF through his CoC for their efforts.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2021 8:56 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 20:56:26 -0500

It is possible to receive a sister service award. However, in my experience, it is not an easy process. From my experience, it required that I be assigned to an Air Force unit and ultimately required a concurrence memo from the HQDA Decorations Branch to be approved.

I received an Air Force Commendation Medal (with "C" device) while assigned to the Air Force as part of the Air Support Operations Center (ASOC) in Afghanistan. I was assigned, by JMD, to the 817th EASOS. I was eligible for a Joint Service medal, but it was downgraded to an Achievement Medal at the CENTCOM level and my command believed I deserved a Commendation Medal instead. As stated above, it was a process.