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So, I’d like to recommend some people for the Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM). I asked my leadership and they told me ok, write it up and we’ll go over it and send it up. They really want me to do this on my own. So I looked in AR 600-8-22 and the Code of Federal Regulations. I can’t find anywhere how to submit the award just the criteria you need to meet to be awarded it.
Is it a narrative; does it go on a DA 638, is there something else? I don’t know what I don’t know and could really use some help.
Is it a narrative; does it go on a DA 638, is there something else? I don’t know what I don’t know and could really use some help.
Awards
Medals
AR 600-8-22
Help
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 9
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Lol I admire your enthusiasm but first you'd want to recommend them for an award that they're authorized. The AFSM is a medal not an award for merit. Medals are awarded for campaigns and such. To quote Wikipedi: "The AFSM is a deployed service medal that is presented to those service members who engage in "significant activity" for which no other U.S. campaign or service medal is authorized. " Awards like this are automatically granted when you fulfill the requirements, there is no writeup. Basically, you either warrant the award or you don't, there's no recommending it.
If you think a Soldier or Soldiers deserve an award for their meritorious accomplishments then look at recommending an AAM or even ARCOM for them. Your S1 will have a templat for you, and it gets turned in to your S1 for routing and approval. Remember that the approval authority for an AAM is your BN CDR and the approval authority for an ARCOM is your BDE CDR.
If you think a Soldier or Soldiers deserve an award for their meritorious accomplishments then look at recommending an AAM or even ARCOM for them. Your S1 will have a templat for you, and it gets turned in to your S1 for routing and approval. Remember that the approval authority for an AAM is your BN CDR and the approval authority for an ARCOM is your BDE CDR.
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LTC Jason Mackay
SFC (Join to see) - had not considered that aspect...the GO announcing the award should list those it covers.
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MAJ (Join to see)
Good luck and it is possible as the 12CAB here in Germany got their personnel approved under the same reasoning you are working towards.
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CPT (Join to see)
I agree with LTC Jason Mackay. Write up the supporting statements in an MFR format for your commander to sign. A paragraph about what he/she is requesting, a by-name list of those who contributed, then a paragraph for each requirement and how they met that requirement. Followed by contact information and your commander's signature. Keep in mind the AFSM requires 30 days of Covid-specific support; the HSM only requires one day. I believe approval authority has been delegated to the first O-6 in the chain, so if you lay out an appropriate explanation for how the requirements were met, it should be an easy sell.
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Yes DA Form 638 would be the form to use. Now, the interesting part what was the significant action deemed as such by the theatre commander? And you were the one that witnessed the act? And there is no other award that might be applicable?
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I’m not an Army guy. All the folks in this string that provided guidance are Army correct. I did serve on an Army awards board at the MACOM level as a DAC. I always looked for the nominees definite accomplishments that met or exceeded the requirements for the Medal or award. Without a clear statement of those the nomination didn’t get my vote.
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PO1 Dennis Mackie
I am a vietnam vet hospital corpsman served out of northern I corps along the DMZ B/1/3. Unfortunately I am not a big fan of awards since I witnessed with my own eyes upon arrival newly arrived officers of the medical corps called out to receive bronze stars and had just arrived in country. Personnel office informed me that if we don't give out medals the folks won't believe we are doing our jobs. Second I witnessed after treating 14 wounded and of course many dead whose names all appeared in Life magazine were awarded many types of medals when the cause of the wounded and dead was by their own stupidity for using mortar increments in the mortar pit to heat their food thus setting fire to two pallets of 81mm mortars. The XO called all the marines around to come with their entrenching tools when the flames were 30 feet in the air. Those that listened to me telling them to get in their holes are alive today The Life magazine listed the dead as killed in action. I could go on but thought this should give food for thought. Those that deserve I highly respect. Others???
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