Posted on Jan 17, 2019
Is it common practice to give an award to someone who is ETS’ing? What would be an appropriate award?
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I’d like to recognize the service of one of my soldiers as a parting gift. He’s moving on in life, but has served the unit well. He even went on the MOB, did well and returned without any issues ( apparently something not easily accomplished ). He deserves recognition and I would like to show gratitude. What are your thoughts, what advice would y’all give?
Awards
ETS/EAS
Service
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 11
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SGT (Join to see) I agree with LTC John Mohor. Always consider the nature of the service, the manner of performance, the level of responsibility, personal risk if it applies. Writing bullets...STAR format with the R tied to the award approval authority's mission. Situation, task, action, result. Whatever you do, don't wait. Usually an ARCOM is required to be submitted to the approval chain, error free 60 days prior to the proposed presentation date. AAM is usually 30 days.
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SGT (Join to see)
Yikes, I guess I need to gather my information and present a draft ASAP. I’ve checked his 214 and have verified the SM doesn’t have an ARCOM. That is what I’d like to input him for. However, since I’ve known the individual over the passed year... I don’t think the SM has been in a leadership position to extend that scope of influence. SM’s Ets is March 13th and their rank is SPC.
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LTC Jason Mackay
SGT (Join to see) - rank doesn't matter. Some will swear up and down it does, but it's not supposed to. An ARCOM is appropriate, but what matters is your chain of command's award philosophy. Write the best award you can and get it in on time.
PS the BN S1 usually has the SOP for how the citation is write and how many lines it consists of.
PS the BN S1 usually has the SOP for how the citation is write and how many lines it consists of.
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SGT James Woodruff
SGT (Join to see) - Look up Ar 600-8-22. It covers the Military Awards Program. For future reference, carry a small notebook with your SM's name in it. Making notes on what, and how they do things helps out with drawing up award recommendations as well as counseling/evals.
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Rank and previous awards matter.
A SPC may qualify for an ARCOM as an ETS award, especially if there is an AAM or two previously awarded.
Previous awards help because you can recycle those bullets and narrative.
For an ARCOM to be possible, even with an AAM or 2, the 1SG, CDR, BC, and especially the CSM better already be aware of this Soldier, and their awareness better bring an immediate positive thought and Hooaah to mind when they see the name on the award.
A SPC may qualify for an ARCOM as an ETS award, especially if there is an AAM or two previously awarded.
Previous awards help because you can recycle those bullets and narrative.
For an ARCOM to be possible, even with an AAM or 2, the 1SG, CDR, BC, and especially the CSM better already be aware of this Soldier, and their awareness better bring an immediate positive thought and Hooaah to mind when they see the name on the award.
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SGT James LeFebvre
Not according to AR 600-8-22, but local chains always tend towards a minimum rank for certain awards, which I have always disagreed with.
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1SG (Join to see)
SGT James LeFebvre difference between common practice, as asked, and the AR.
I agree there is a non-stated and sometimes quietly stated grade level for different ranks. In most cases, I agree that the level of responsibility and performance of most LTs, SSGs and SGTs doesn't warrant a MSM. Likewise, I don't believe the performance of every SFC or MAJ warrants an MSM.
You learn to work smart in the system you operate in. I wrote well, protected my reputation, and kept a running ETS/PCS draft 638 as part of my Soldiers' counseling packets, so I was able to get ARCOMs through where historically that rank or position normally received an AAM. Wasn't ever able to get an MSM through where an ARCOM was the norm. The reputation part came in by not trying to submit an award that wasn't fully justified on its bullets and narrative.
I agree there is a non-stated and sometimes quietly stated grade level for different ranks. In most cases, I agree that the level of responsibility and performance of most LTs, SSGs and SGTs doesn't warrant a MSM. Likewise, I don't believe the performance of every SFC or MAJ warrants an MSM.
You learn to work smart in the system you operate in. I wrote well, protected my reputation, and kept a running ETS/PCS draft 638 as part of my Soldiers' counseling packets, so I was able to get ARCOMs through where historically that rank or position normally received an AAM. Wasn't ever able to get an MSM through where an ARCOM was the norm. The reputation part came in by not trying to submit an award that wasn't fully justified on its bullets and narrative.
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SFC Wendell Pruitt
While I 100% agree with your base statement "Rank and previous awards matter." That is not always the case and I use myself as an Example, I arrived in one unit in Germany as a E5 with 2 Arcoms under my belt, over the next 5 years I collected 4 AAMS and another Arcom as well as being Selected to become a Platoon Sgt as an E-6, My Platoon was rated#1 out of 36 in the Command and the 2 Star Commanding General recognized me individually, not once but twice with Star notes and his Coin. Unfortunately For me, My Commander PCS'ed just prior to me, My 1sg pinned CSM and moved My Platoon Leader shifted over to the S2 position and My CSM was slammed into preparing for the INF treaty implementation process. 11 months after I departed I received an ARCOM written up by an Officer I had never served with that said exactly nothing, This in spite of a 3 page letter in my unit file stating I deserved an MSM at minimum... The CSM apologized and recommended I attach a copy of the letter that he provided and go though the process of finding the Old Commander and ask him to ask for an upgrade request ....
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Every unit seems to have its standards. Depending on previous awards received or not at a minimum as long as you can build justified bullets an AAM or possibly an ARCOM if it was a stellar job well above just performing his job. Start writing the bullets than see if it's good enough! Have a trusted LT or senior NCO that could help you in your unit? Seek their assistance as they've seen your Soldiers performance also. If time is of the essence just shoot for an AAM as it's only Battalion Commander Level approval. It's the words that will matter way down the road!
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