How about this? New award established for senior Pentagon leaders.

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 18:43:46 -0400

A special award has been established to recognize the contributions of senior-level military and civilian officials assigned to Army headquarters at the Pentagon.

Called the Army Leadership Award, the honor is designed to recognize "the demonstrated superior accomplishments and leadership that contributed to the efficiency, efficacy and overall improvement in the operations of the Army or its elements," according to an implementing instruction (DA Memo 672-4) issued April 20.

The award will be presented upon an official's retirement or conclusion of service at Army headquarters.

The ALA will be awarded at the discretion and approval of the secretary of the Army, but eligibility is limited to a small cadre of senior leaders, as follows:

Military: Army chief of staff, Army vice chief of staff and sergeant major of the Army.

Civilian: Presidentially appointed and Senate-confirmed officials who serve as secretary of the Army, undersecretary of the Army, the five assistant secretaries of the Army and general counsel of the Army.

The award will consist of a miniature reproduction of the departing official's positional flag, framed and affixed with a small, engraved plaque stating "U.S. Army Leadership Award," and the recipient's name, title and period of qualifying service.

Nominations for the award will consist of a one-page narrative to be submitted on a DA Form 1256 (Incentive Award Nomination and Approval).

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2015 6:46 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 18:46:17 -0400

I could have sworn there is already an award that is strictly just for those senior officers.

Response by SMSgt Tony Barnes made Sep 3 at 2015 6:58 PM

SMSgt Tony Barnes — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 18:58:19 -0400

I though a paycheck every two weeks was the award for doing your job.

Response by SGT Scott Bell made Sep 3 at 2015 7:00 PM

SGT Scott Bell — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 19:00:43 -0400

no way

Response by SGT David Nicholas made Sep 3 at 2015 7:08 PM

SGT David Nicholas — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 19:08:03 -0400

Just what they need ! More accolades.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Sep 3 at 2015 7:10 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 19:10:54 -0400

Sounds like another BS award for political hacks.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 3 at 2015 7:33 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 19:33:49 -0400

They need that like we need cardboard tanks.

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Sep 3 at 2015 7:59 PM

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 19:59:06 -0400

I guess that these bastards need some shinny shit to put up on their wall? WTF-OVER!

Response by CPO Joseph Grant made Sep 3 at 2015 8:10 PM

CPO Joseph Grant — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 20:10:07 -0400

Arent there enough silly trinkets handed out already? How many man hours and how much money went into this bullshit? Why not just give people ribbons for successfully tying their shoes. I really hate stupidity.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Sep 3 at 2015 8:38 PM

COL Jon Thompson — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 20:38:36 -0400

I think this is so the Army staff does not have to take a collection to get the retiring Chief of Staff or Secretary of the Army their going away gift. I think it is funny that this requires a one page nomination. I wonder who sits on the awards board for this. Seems like we have big problems to worry about other than if these people get a going away gift.

Response by Sgt William Biggs made Sep 3 at 2015 10:07 PM

Sgt William Biggs — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 22:07:33 -0400

Sounds like an easier way to award the equivalent of a Legion of Merit or other end of service award. Whatever, people deserve the kudos after successfully completing a long career. Just completing a career has best many a service member!

Response by COL Charles Williams made Sep 4 at 2015 12:06 AM

COL Charles Williams — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 00:06:35 -0400

Great, just what we needed... another award.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Sep 4 at 2015 2:32 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 02:32:18 -0400

Sounds like another "Lifer" award. Everybody likes a little recognition but usually you arrived at your senior position with plenty of other awards. I'd say this is just another one for surviving the competition that is Military Advancement to the Big League that is the Pentagon.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Sep 4 at 2015 4:47 AM

PO1 John Miller — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 04:47:20 -0400

The Army just wants to one up the Navy and their new Recruit Training Honor Graduate ribbon!

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Sep 4 at 2015 6:49 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 06:49:25 -0400

Called the Army Leadership Award, the honor is designed to recognize "the demonstrated superior accomplishments and leadership that contributed to the efficiency, efficacy and overall improvement in the operations of the Army or its elements," according to an implementing instruction (DA Memo 672-4) issued April 20.
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I would be better if they actually did what the award is saying they are doing. There is not a lot of efficiency, efficacy and improvement coming to the Army from Washington DC.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Sep 4 at 2015 8:10 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 08:10:51 -0400

Okay guess I'll be the one rocking the boat here on this thread.

Personally, I don't see it as a bad thing. When I first saw this thread (prior to reading the full description) my thought was about their ETS, PCS or retirement award but seeing that it is just a plaque to hang on their wall, I do not see what the big deal is. How many of use got some sort of gift from our units when we left? I think these positions as outlined in the article deserve a little extra thanks. Sure we can sit here all day long and say a paycheck is enough or state the fact that they get some sort of award for their uniform but let's face it, the military positions outlined are not exactly the easiest assignments in the military.

I would have a bigger problem if this award was something to add to their fruit salad which already goes up and over their shoulder. I would agree we have bigger issues to deal with at, in, around, and outside the Pentagon other than arts and crafts hour to design this plaque but at the end of the day, it will look nice in their next office.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Sep 4 at 2015 1:32 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 13:32:58 -0400

So in the military, this is only available to 3 people? And they will get it every time. Am I missing something here?

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Sep 4 at 2015 1:39 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 13:39:48 -0400

Makes sense to me. Look at how their strategies have settled the unrest around the globe.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Sep 4 at 2015 1:48 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 13:48:28 -0400

So I guess the Bronze Star with Valor for showing up on time wasn't good enough and the Silver Star with the crossed spoon and fork couldn't do it either? Why don't we just give em all the MOH as a retirement award?

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Sep 4 at 2015 2:06 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 14:06:48 -0400

It reminds me of a cartoon a I saw once where a General is describing what their fruit salad was for. "I got this one for this, that one for this, this one for kissing so-and so butt" Now there is an award for an assignment. Really guys, really?

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 5 at 2015 12:18 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Sat, 05 Sep 2015 12:18:30 -0400

More members of the "I Love Me" club in DC.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2015 12:35 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 00:35:40 -0400

See! Who says the Defense Department doesn't have it's priorities in order? Everything DoD Wide must be perfect if senior leaders have so much free time they can invent whole new awards? If only we already had some sort of pre-existing award for service that was Meritorious...

I guess adding a device to your chest for another award of the MSM just isn't good enough for some. Enjoy your new rack candy.

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Sep 17 at 2015 10:06 AM

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 10:06:14 -0400

Yep, they all need a good pat on the back for doing what they get paid to do.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2015 10:07 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 10:07:18 -0400

To me this just sound like some kind of 'domestic self-praising'.
People in high places create ways to celebrate their own self proclaimed awesomeness.
Besides if you have made it to these extreme senior leadership, do you need an award or is the recognition not enough?

I cannot support it.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2015 10:24 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 10:24:27 -0400

I don't think so at all. I think this is treatment of a symptom of the watering down of awards. For example an achievement medal is awarded to E-3 and E-4s in some commands who "did their job" during their tour. That never used to be the case. I just saw an O-3 given a Meritorious Service Medal for also pretty much just doing his job. In my opinion that's completely unprecidented but then I found out from several Air Force officers that it is somewhat normal, albeit not standard.

Giving awards to people way more junior than truly merit them without there being a valid reason (some meritorious action) ends up resulting in an escalation. Basically if we've gotten to the point where there isn't an award high enough for people that have done more than those already receiving the highest award, we're doing something wrong. Making more doesn't fix the actual problem, better evaluation and scrutinizing of awards does.

Ever seen an E-4 with 6 rows of ribbons? I have, and he wasn't even one who was reaching high year tenure.

Response by SGT Scott Bell made Sep 17 at 2015 10:26 AM

SGT Scott Bell — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 10:26:12 -0400

No way

Response by SGT David T. made Sep 17 at 2015 10:29 AM

SGT David T. — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 10:29:14 -0400

Given the amount of headaches that they deal with at that level I can see this.

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Sep 17 at 2015 5:51 PM

COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 17:51:23 -0400

Short answer. No, there should not be a special award to recognize the contributions of senior level military and civilian officials. Awards should be based upon achievement, not duty position. Just because a person is placed into a senior position does not mean they did well in that position.

Response by SSG Michael Hathaway made Sep 18 at 2015 3:46 AM

SSG Michael Hathaway — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 03:46:11 -0400

Haha, this is too much. How much time and money was wasted for researching and implementing this? Also, why do the higher up needs this new medal that obviously only they are qualified for. I don't believe in awarding a medal that is only available to a very small percentage of people.

If a stacked officer, like the ones I often see walking around with huge rows of ribbons, can list me every single ribbon on their rack, without looking at it and in order of precedence, then maybe they could get something extra. Not trying to sound disrespectful, its just something that I have remember on my ASU's, so why not them too?

Response by CPT Jim Schwebach made Sep 18 at 2015 8:02 PM

CPT Jim Schwebach — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 20:02:01 -0400

Did I read this abomination correctly? The Secretary Of the Army is the approving authority and among those personnel authorized to receive the award is the Secretary Of the Army. And the award is a miniature flag in a shadow box with a plaque? Is the date on the authorizing document April 1st, 2015?

Surely this was not done with a straight face!

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Mar 31 at 2016 1:31 PM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 13:31:51 -0400

"...the demonstrated superior accomplishments and leadership that contributed to the efficiency, efficacy and overall improvement in the operations of the Army or its elements,..."

Sounds like they are contributing by leaving office, congrats senior leadership, job well done, now leave.

Response by CWO2 James Mathews made Jul 2 at 2018 2:08 PM

CWO2 James Mathews — Mon, 02 Jul 2018 14:08:04 -0400

I agree that superior performance and going beyond your task to get the job done in order to better the US is acceptable. However, as Sgt. Major Tony Barnes has iterated, "a paycheck is an award for doing your job." In my view, any award with the seeming value of the award discussed (Army Leadership Award) should only be granted with the approval of an award committee, each member of which should be selected to have no political-military, financial, or personal contact with the awardee. Now, I fully understand how difficult that might be, however, in the past, we have seen individuals in high office make awards that did not appear to fit with the awardee's accomplishments. Making awards to those who do not deserve such only damages the work throughout the Pentagon. The failure to determine who really deserves the award damages it much further. I think that the effort to control the granting of awards in the military and for those serving the military in a civilian status should be strengthened and reviewed very carefully for possible improvement, and revision to ensure the right personage gets the proper award when fully deserving of recognition.

Respectfully Submitted;
James L. Mathews

Response by SSG Tom Montgomery made Sep 27 at 2019 11:08 PM

SSG Tom Montgomery — Fri, 27 Sep 2019 23:08:24 -0400

These people do a great job but a special award for a few high ranking, Pentagon Birds is beyond ridiculous.