Is a tracking system or RFID embedded panel issued by the unit appropriate for awards?

2015-12-29T11:03:53-05:00

The Battalion or Brigade S1 who is worth a darn needs to take the time to go through his/her Soldier's records and not only review what's in there to see that they are correct and accurate as to dates, but then needs to start looking at the longevity type awards too.
Army (Regular w/ no Reserve time) are easier, because we usually just have to look at things like the good conduct medal. For the Reserves, we have the Army Reserve Medal, the State Awards which are usually equivalent to the GCM, long service medals to States, etc. Most States have a very good checklist and their OTAG can provide it to assist.
Now that we have quality checked all of the awards; all need to be permed and placed into the hands of the member so they have a clue as to how to put their uniform together at official functions.
I really wish there were a better and cleaner method out there of displaying our ribbons than what we're using. The AUS ribbons at Military Clothing Sales and other AAFES outlets are VERY 20th Century. There is also nothing to stop me from going in and buying say a Silver Star for my uniform even though I never earned one. The stolen valor act is still pretty toothless, and catches very few cheaters. I'm thinking our answer may be technology -- print a high quality "ribbon rack" through the Battalion or Brigade level "1's" which has a tracking code or RFID embeded in it. That ensures quality control (i.e. Soldier gets the awards in the right order) and cuts down on cases of stolen valor.
What do you think?
Leaders -- is a tracking system or RFID embeded panel replacement issued by the unit for awards appropriate? How often would it need to be replaced? Sensitive item?
Human Resources Professionals -- Is this viable or a bridge too far? Would we need to bring say a GS9 on board to manage this program?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2015 11:05 AM

2015-12-29T11:05:29-05:00

I always thought about this. Good post.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2015 11:06 AM

2015-12-29T11:06:29-05:00

Stolen Valor would have to become a much bigger issue in order to justify spending the money required to prevent it.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Dec 29 at 2015 11:21 AM

2015-12-29T11:21:35-05:00

You can buy almost any ribbon online. Most are available through civilian distributors.

As for "wear & tear," it really depends on the ribbon before you start seeing fraying on the edges. Your highest and lowest awards are going to see the most wear (they are on the outside of your rack). As an example, my Navcom, and my Sea Service (iirc). Depending on usage, I would be looking at replacing them 2x a year. We're taking $2 item, tops. Do we need a GS9 to manage a $2 item? Even the medal (anodized) is only $15.00.

All you are going to do is drive regular users away from the base, and normal supply channels, because "bureaucracy" cannot keep up with the certificates which have already been awarded.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2015 11:38 AM

2015-12-29T11:38:01-05:00

I honestly think that this is a solution in search of a problem, SFC Jeff Granger. "PX Warriors" are very easy to catch in the event that they are stupid enough to wear store-bought stuff in uniform.
I think that your solution, while simple, would be expensive and would expose once again that battalion S-1 shops are not squared away when it comes to updating records. I think that this would rapidly turn into a self-licking ice cream cone.
I have been in the Army a minute, and have quite a few awards and decorations, and I have never found it difficult to maintain awareness if what I should be wearing.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2015 12:27 PM

2015-12-29T12:27:41-05:00

Isn't that what the personnel file is for, let alone the DD214? I mean, it's pretty obvious if there's something on one's uniform that isn't in the jacket. The reverse problem, where someone "thinks" they have something that isn't in the records, isn't an "easy" fix, but it can be fixed. You could stop the fakers by simply discontinuing sales of awards in the PX, online, at thrift stores, from Uncle Ed's closet...wait a minute, that wouldn't work either. In my humble experience, anyone with the gall to put on things they've not earned is quickly found out by those that have...and that's probably the best and only enforcement needed. I respect where you're coming from, but again...it seems very expensive and cumbersome to be viable.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2015 1:49 PM

2015-12-29T13:49:13-05:00

Impractical.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2015 1:56 PM

2015-12-29T13:56:56-05:00

Honestly, I believe that it is an NCO's job to verify their records and inspect quality before letting their soldiers out into any setting where it is required that they wear their ASU's. That being said RFID is not a way to go, can you immagine going to a place like deers spending all day so you can have rack built for you. It seems like adding an element of complexity into the mix when there is a 10 minute solution to the problem. Just my thoughts.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2015 4:47 PM

2015-12-29T16:47:08-05:00

You raise two issues here. One is a leader issue regarding awards and the other is a culture issue regarding access and wear of awards. As a Squad Leader, I was taught that it was my duty to have a 'battle book' that included everything on my soldiers (APFT, Ht/Wt, marital status, Awards, duties, etc.). So, during my monthly counseling (yes, it is that important to touch base at least monthly), we reviewed the 5 'M's" (Mail, Money, Meals, Morale and Marital Status). It went as follows:

1. Mail - anything the soldier should have received from the unit or above regarding physicals, promotion boards, schooling, etc.
2. Money - are they getting paid? Is it the right amount?
3. Meals - APFT, Ht/Wt discussion in garrison and meals and sleep in the field. The focus was on health and fitness.
4. Morale - are they doing what challenges them? Do they feel part of a team? When is their next award/recognition (GCM, AFRM, ARCAM, etc.)? Is there something they are doing that should receive special recognition (AAM, ARCOM, certificate, ataboy, etc.)?
5. Marital status - Any changes in their family life? Any challenges with work-life balance? Not a place to push an agenda on relationships but to be supportive in anything the troop or the troop's family needs. Provides some feedback on influence of Family Support Group, need for mentorship as well as challenges the troop is facing away from the military.

As to your point about RFID system or something else more involved for the award system and 'Stolen Valor' solutions, I haven't a clue. My preference would be to take a person claiming to be a former or current service member, who never served or never earned the rank or award, and drop them into Syria, 20 miles from the nearest friendly base, armed with a compass, knife, M1911 pistol, 100 rounds, 3 days water and rations and tell them that if they arrive in one piece, we won't shoot them when they get back. Maybe they can tell ISIS how important their bogus rank and award is before they lose their head.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2015 11:17 PM

2015-12-29T23:17:06-05:00

Isn't the easiest solution to this good involved first line leaders? ERB's already give us the tool to see every ipermed award an SM has, and if the SM shows up wearing something off the wall thats not in their ERB it should be a pretty easy catch, Leader Book apps exist for Apple and Android allowing for on the spot checks of your joes records if the works done to keep records for your team.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Sep 29 at 2018 12:07 PM

2018-09-29T12:07:27-04:00

SFC Jeff Granger going back through soldier records annually was a top down driven audit task. Soldiers had to produce originals to maintain it.

Tracking longevity and service tour awards...happening. The check is the loss roster for PCS awards. I have always seen GCM scrubs conducted periodically. If we actually had a personnel system integrated with the ERP we already have, ARCAMs and GCMs could churn out on the appropriate date.

If a soldier doesn't know how to put together their uniform and awards, their first line Leader needs to be shot.

Are you advocating for a 3 D printer rendering for a soldier's ribbon rack with an RFID? I could see 3D printing as something in the near future once we can get past the chintzy plastic phase and other materials can be leveraged so there is no quality loss. In practice, it will be one more thing that's broken at the S1/G1 that won't be fixed for 3 months like the current CAC and dogtag machines. As for an RFID, are you saying we roam the streets with RFID interrogator to pop Stolen Valor? Intriguing. RFID burners would be yet another thing in the S1 shop to be broken. We'd have to figure out which level would burn RFIDs and build awards. The replacement frequency would be whenever it changes, every two years, and two sets upon ETS and retirement. This would be value added at the NPRC level for replacements to NOK and extreme circumstances.

I would advocate for better tracking of the WIP award submissions, so they don't get lost to minimize the time S1s spend building trackers for Command and Staff. An RFID embedded workflow folder with interrogators at each stop would be helpful. I think we spend more time tracking than adding value to it.

If the GS9 were a maintainer to make sure all the equipment works, ok. If it is to manage the S1, not interested. That's what the S1 does.