How long is a reasonable time to wait for a retirement award to be processed?

2021-04-29T00:02:41-04:00

How long is a reasonable time to wait for a retirement award to be processed? I retired in Januray of 2021 with 22.5 years of service. I submitted all my relevant information on October 27th, 2020. After multiple hang up's (not of my making), I'm being told it's still sitting at BDE awaiting approval. It's been 6 months, going on 7 since I sent up my info. I officially retired over 4 months ago. I'm seriously considering telling them to forget it. Please advise.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2021 12:37 AM

2021-04-29T00:37:23-04:00

Depends on the award submitted. For AAMs and ARCOMs, the standard time to submit them is 30-90 days prior. For MSMs, the standard is 180 days prior to being awarded. So, if it's been 4 months since you retired and there has been no resolution, chances are they're probably sitting on it on purpose.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2021 12:40 AM

2021-04-29T00:40:41-04:00

SGT Sam Decker Oh no... don't change your mind... you'll love retirement. If not you can go to work for an organization that is organized and efficient. Can't help you with who to contact...sorry. Enjoy your retirement years... you earned it.
Oh... just thought about this one... they may have farmed that out to the V.A. & they're waiting for you to die... like they do most Veterans.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2021 1:04 AM

2021-04-29T01:04:48-04:00

SGT Sam Decker Not sure but I think RP has been hacked.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2021 1:11 AM

2021-04-29T01:11:40-04:00

SFC James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" I think RP has been hacked... thats why I forwarded the 4 gross pictures below. Couldn't thinkof any other Admin off the top of my head.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Apr 29 at 2021 8:56 AM

2021-04-29T08:56:57-04:00

That word right there... it gets folks. "Reasonable." Unfortunately, not everything in the Army is "reasonable."

So With a final out in January 2021, This award should honestly have been submitted in June 2020, or even earlier. IT shows that you are Reserves, and I have no idea on timelines there. But even for AD with S1s and Commanders working 5 days a week, awards routinely take 3 months from initial submission to "ready for presentation." And that is with lower level (AAM / ARCOM) awards.

Add in that someone had to actually type up the bullets and formalize the award for "initial submission" (As you provided relevant information, NOT the 638), with the time that takes, and also add in that it was (theoretically) an MSM which means additional scrutiny and additional levels of approval, and 6 months is not out of the question for Active Duty working 5 days a week. And I always subtract the entire month of December when it comes to productivity. Very little gets done in December due to holidays, holiday planning, etc. I have to assume (and it is a big assumption) that Reserves can take longer to process (as I have seen them take longer on just about everything).

That being said, it is NOT too early to give a call and check up. It is possible the award WAS finalized, and no one let you know. Or that it was kicked back and they need information from you, but haven't gotten around to calling. Or that they put it on the sideline because you are already retired and no one is breathing down their neck about it. Tossing a quick call at your orderly room isn't out of the question.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Apr 29 at 2021 9:28 AM

2021-04-29T09:28:43-04:00

Depending on the award it takes time to process. I was medically retired in August 2012 and didn’t receive my official award for several months afterwards. It happens. Why tell them to stop the process? The train is already in motion. Just let it run it’s course

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2021 1:35 PM

2021-04-29T13:35:03-04:00

My EOT award got kicked back six times to the frustration of my LT and my NCO's, one of whom was a former 42A. We got it days before we were supposed to return to CONUS, well after the award ceremony. I think the only reason I got it is people in brigade started making some calls down to battalion, since my recommender was in brigade. I was even told (no names given) that some people didn't want to process my award because I was a PFC. Now I'm fairly certain that's against regs, but when has a unit in the Army not violated that?

I also spent some time working as an awards clerk and admin clerk for my unit outside of my MOS, job was to research the awards reg and get with the retention NCO and determine what awards Soldiers were missing and to process AAM's and ARCOM's. Getting things processed was a nightmare at times. Sometimes you would submit something, they would kick it back and tell you what to fix, you'd fix it and then they'd kick it back again and tell you to change it to the way you sent it up originally.

We preach "The Standard" in the military, but when it comes to awards it's unit dependent. Sometimes you get all stars, and sometimes you get lazy dirt bags. Sometimes stuff is held up because of one officers signature, and that officer is on leave or some other such thing and for some reason doesn't answer their emails but will answer their phone, eventually.

I will say, don't give up on it. It might not affect your retirement, but your awards are not just for you. It's for your kids, your grand-kids, and so on. I wish I had my grandfathers awards, unfortunately they've been lost to time and a records fire prevents them from being recovered. So keep at it, it's going to be important to someone down the line.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Apr 29 at 2021 3:10 PM

2021-04-29T15:10:48-04:00

$50 says somewhere in the chain of command is a senior "leader" who doesn't think a SGT should receive an MSM, and is fighting it...

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Apr 29 at 2021 3:18 PM

2021-04-29T15:18:41-04:00

I had to dog my unit for 2o months after I retired. I would call the CSM and ask what the frack are they doing there.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2021 3:45 PM

2021-04-29T15:45:20-04:00

I got a MSM in the mail after punching out. Signed by a former sit-up record holder - 40,000 in 16 hours once. Maj Gen Wayne Rollings, II MEF CG. Didn't solicit for or expect it. Stay on top of it in your case. Gen Rollings was a Mustang and a hard man for sure. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_Rollings

Wayne_Rollings

Response by LTC(P) Christina Moore made Apr 29 at 2021 3:51 PM

2021-04-29T15:51:29-04:00

Oh, goodness. What a question. DO NOT TELL THEM TO FORGET IT! Your service is important, just as important as the next guys and they need to recognize that. Nothing is worse than leaving with a bitter taste. (I completely get it) Do the right thing, use the right process. Call the headquarters and ask to speak to the CSM. Explain to him or her that you respectfully request to get your retirement award expedited. You served your time. It really should have been given to you before your outprocessing. The next thing I would say is if we, as military members, do not matter to each other than who DO we matter to? I am relying on YOU CSM to have THIS Sergeants back. You should long have your award by now.

Your next step is an email to your Commander. If you do not see any movement, you can still go to the IG. The IG is always an option and then, well I hate to suggest thisbeing at the recieving end of these kinds of inquiries but seek out your congress person. Seriously that is what they are there for.

Hope this advice helps and is not met with hate like I am some kind of traitor but taking care of soldiers should always be a number one priority.

Response by 1SG Bill Farmerie made Apr 29 at 2021 4:30 PM

2021-04-29T16:30:36-04:00

You say you submitted your relevant information on October 27th. When did the person recommending the award actually submit it?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 29 at 2021 9:21 PM

2021-04-29T21:21:25-04:00

I know what I say won't amount to a hill of beans. I was told to write my award for retirement. I said eff that. What mattered to me is what I accomplished in my career. That's the end of the story.

Response by SFC David Johnson made Apr 30 at 2021 8:49 AM

2021-04-30T08:49:43-04:00

Your 214 is the only award you NEED! Congratulations and thanks!

Response by CSM Duane Harb made May 3 at 2021 7:37 PM

2021-05-03T19:37:34-04:00

You should have already had it on final out I would get ahold of your servicing RSO and ask the question there