How are you illustrating your Army Commendation Awards on resumes?

SGT Jamell Culbreath — Sun, 28 Sep 2025 14:44:00 -0400

I am looking for proper way to illustrate my Army Commendation Awards on my resume.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 28 at 2025 4:50 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sun, 28 Sep 2025 16:50:38 -0400

I’d guess that over 90% of employers have zero clue what all our military pieces of flair even mean.

Response by COL Randall C. made Sep 28 at 2025 4:57 PM

COL Randall C. — Sun, 28 Sep 2025 16:57:45 -0400

You normally wouldn't spell out that you received an ARCOM (or MSM, AAM, etc.) as an award on the resume. Rather, just like any accomplishment that you would include, extract out the pertinent information and tailor it towards the narrative you're trying to tell.

Hypothetically, if you were in charge of setting up a fuel distribution point during a Division exercise, and leadership recognized you because of how efficiently it was run as well as exceeding the expectations for throughput despite extended operations, you could focus on a number of aspects of that recognition such as organization, efficiency, adaptability, etc.

For example: "Receive recognition by senior leadership for adapting to demanding and changing logistic requirements during a major exercise..."

Remember - Resumes are to get an interview. Interviews are to get the job. Paint the best possible picture in the resume of the individual that is the best fit for the position you are applying for, but be able to explain that picture during an interview.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2025 7:38 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Sep 2025 19:38:50 -0400

I don't illustrate any of my awards on my resume. I illustrate the actions that got me the awards.

Response by LTC Matthew Schlosser made Sep 28 at 2025 10:45 PM

LTC Matthew Schlosser — Sun, 28 Sep 2025 22:45:52 -0400

I use colored pencils to illustrate my awards. It's more refined than crayons.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Sep 29 at 2025 8:30 AM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 08:30:13 -0400

I dont. My employer does not even care that I am board-certified in critical care and emergency nursing, which earned me a $20K bonus every year I held them while in the Army. Civilian employers are even in a smaller world than an army MOS.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2025 2:24 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 14:24:30 -0400

recognized for.... Situation, Task, Action, Result. make sure you can tie it to a requirement of the position you are applying for.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2025 3:32 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 15:32:31 -0400

A resume is not a Military Bio.
I suggest annotate the duty position, the actual duties, responsibilities, and rank.

Unless your military award made the news and the president pinned it on you personally I wouldn't mention it.

Response by SGT Lorenzo Nieto made Oct 9 at 2025 7:06 AM

SGT Lorenzo Nieto — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 07:06:06 -0400

If you did that back in the day you would never get a job, most people don’t care today just give your experience.

Response by SGT Lorenzo Nieto made Oct 13 at 2025 7:13 AM

SGT Lorenzo Nieto — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 07:13:05 -0400

In my time you did not if you did you would never get the job

Response by SGT Lorenzo Nieto made Oct 31 at 2025 7:18 AM

SGT Lorenzo Nieto — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 07:18:14 -0400

In my day you didn’t tell anyone unfortunately it was something you kept to your self.