How can I determine the effective date of an award?

The date should be on the award certificate itself. It should say "FROM 12 FEBRUARY 2019 TO 12 OCTOBER 2019" then below it should say "THIS XXTH DAY OF MONTH YEAR".

You should also be able to find it on the back of your 638 next to the S1 signature.

What kind of processes are you looking for?

That should be on your 201 file awards promotions schools will be posted there on your 2012

The award date will be listed on the certificate itself. S-1 will also be able to verify the award date and also the date it was entered into your record.

We used to get a certificate for, and noting the reasons for an award, PLUS a copy of the Orders for it. Not sure what they do these days.

AR 600-8-22

There are already several responses correctly telling you that the effective date of an award is the date of the order awarding it. I'm just curious why anyone would be concerned about the "effective date" of an award. Awards are always awarded after the act or period of service -- even "impact" awards where the approving authority presents the award immediately after the act still need to have the paperwork before they are recorded. But the simple fact is that the "effective date" of an award is virtually meaningless. Either you have an award or you don't.

Perhaps if we knew what significance the "effective date" has in this case someone might be able to give you a more useful answer.

The only case I can even conceive of the "effective date" being an issue would be if someone was retroactively accused of 'stolen valor' for an old photo wearing an award that wasn't given until a later date.

If you are thinking that the effective date of your AAM somehow impacts when you could or couldn't get another award - it doesn't.

The order for the award with your name on it should include an award date. Otherwise the date of the order. This may all be electronic now, so check with your personnel office.