https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-my-award-an-msm-or-an-arcom-if-the-brigade-commander-signed-it-saying-to-downgrade-it-but-the-approved-award-says-msm <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I have a DA Form 638 written for an MSM. The brigade commander signed it saying to downgrade it. However, the &quot;Approved Award&quot; says MSM. It has an order number and is signed by the Deputy G1. I have never seen this happen before, and my S1 clerks have been split in their answers. Sat, 20 Mar 2021 20:36:17 -0400 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-my-award-an-msm-or-an-arcom-if-the-brigade-commander-signed-it-saying-to-downgrade-it-but-the-approved-award-says-msm <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I have a DA Form 638 written for an MSM. The brigade commander signed it saying to downgrade it. However, the &quot;Approved Award&quot; says MSM. It has an order number and is signed by the Deputy G1. I have never seen this happen before, and my S1 clerks have been split in their answers. SSG Private RallyPoint Member Sat, 20 Mar 2021 20:36:17 -0400 2021-03-20T20:36:17-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-my-award-an-msm-or-an-arcom-if-the-brigade-commander-signed-it-saying-to-downgrade-it-but-the-approved-award-says-msm?n=6840355&urlhash=6840355 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Congrats on your MSM! CPT Private RallyPoint Member Sat, 20 Mar 2021 21:28:50 -0400 2021-03-20T21:28:50-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-my-award-an-msm-or-an-arcom-if-the-brigade-commander-signed-it-saying-to-downgrade-it-but-the-approved-award-says-msm?n=6840374&urlhash=6840374 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div><a class="dark-link bold-link" role="profile-hover" data-qtip-container="body" data-id="1118927" data-source-page-controller="question_response_contents" href="/profiles/1118927-25q-multichannel-transmission-systems-operator-maintainer">SSG Private RallyPoint Member</a> Were you not issued an actual medal with paperwork? If not request a one time issue and see what you receive. CSM Charles Hayden Sat, 20 Mar 2021 21:37:36 -0400 2021-03-20T21:37:36-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-my-award-an-msm-or-an-arcom-if-the-brigade-commander-signed-it-saying-to-downgrade-it-but-the-approved-award-says-msm?n=6840380&urlhash=6840380 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>No matter what the Chain of Command recommends, the award much go all the way to the approving authority. So if the final authority says MSM then it’s an MSM. SGM Jeff Bullard Sat, 20 Mar 2021 21:39:33 -0400 2021-03-20T21:39:33-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-my-award-an-msm-or-an-arcom-if-the-brigade-commander-signed-it-saying-to-downgrade-it-but-the-approved-award-says-msm?n=6840401&urlhash=6840401 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>What&#39;s disappointing about this whole story is that your S1 section is split on the the answer.<br />There&#39;s only one answer here, what does it say on block 26 d. of the DA 638, and what does AR 600-8-22 say about that?<br /><br />TL;DR, unless the CG has delegated, in writing, authority for BDE CDRs to disapprove an MSM and approve downgrade award of ARCOM without forwarding, (and I have never heard of a CG doing that), then MSMs go to the CG for approval or downgrade to ARCOM.<br /><br />If block 26 d. says approved, and that person&#39;s first name is &quot;general&quot;, then it&#39;s approved as an MSM. SGM Jeff Mccloud Sat, 20 Mar 2021 22:02:28 -0400 2021-03-20T22:02:28-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-my-award-an-msm-or-an-arcom-if-the-brigade-commander-signed-it-saying-to-downgrade-it-but-the-approved-award-says-msm?n=6840419&urlhash=6840419 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>If the brigade commander is not the approving authority, he can recommend a downgrade but does not have the final say, only the approving authority has the final say. SSG Private RallyPoint Member Sat, 20 Mar 2021 22:23:18 -0400 2021-03-20T22:23:18-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-my-award-an-msm-or-an-arcom-if-the-brigade-commander-signed-it-saying-to-downgrade-it-but-the-approved-award-says-msm?n=6840425&urlhash=6840425 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It’s an MSM. The approving authority for the award is the only one who can downgrade it. Unless that authority delegated their authority to the lower lever. Bottom line is you were awarded an MSM. Congrats! SFC Private RallyPoint Member Sat, 20 Mar 2021 22:28:45 -0400 2021-03-20T22:28:45-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-my-award-an-msm-or-an-arcom-if-the-brigade-commander-signed-it-saying-to-downgrade-it-but-the-approved-award-says-msm?n=6840444&urlhash=6840444 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>If the order is for an MSM, you have an MSM. SFC Private RallyPoint Member Sat, 20 Mar 2021 22:52:33 -0400 2021-03-20T22:52:33-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-my-award-an-msm-or-an-arcom-if-the-brigade-commander-signed-it-saying-to-downgrade-it-but-the-approved-award-says-msm?n=6840462&urlhash=6840462 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>If I’m not mistaking the final approval of an MSM is not an 0-5. But, I guess it’s possible that has been changed since I was on active duty. SSG Jer Green Sat, 20 Mar 2021 23:21:05 -0400 2021-03-20T23:21:05-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-my-award-an-msm-or-an-arcom-if-the-brigade-commander-signed-it-saying-to-downgrade-it-but-the-approved-award-says-msm?n=6840465&urlhash=6840465 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I meant, is not an 0-6. SSG Jer Green Sat, 20 Mar 2021 23:22:29 -0400 2021-03-20T23:22:29-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-my-award-an-msm-or-an-arcom-if-the-brigade-commander-signed-it-saying-to-downgrade-it-but-the-approved-award-says-msm?n=6840629&urlhash=6840629 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>If you were given an MSM certificate with a Order number then it’s approved. It’s up to the approval authority, which is a two star. If the O6 commander recommended downgrade and now it’s going to the approval authority the award will likely be downgraded to an ARCOM. LTC Jason Mackay Sun, 21 Mar 2021 02:13:49 -0400 2021-03-21T02:13:49-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-my-award-an-msm-or-an-arcom-if-the-brigade-commander-signed-it-saying-to-downgrade-it-but-the-approved-award-says-msm?n=6840645&urlhash=6840645 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Go with the order SFC Melvin Brandenburg Sun, 21 Mar 2021 02:35:54 -0400 2021-03-21T02:35:54-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-my-award-an-msm-or-an-arcom-if-the-brigade-commander-signed-it-saying-to-downgrade-it-but-the-approved-award-says-msm?n=6840662&urlhash=6840662 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The Approving Authority is the GO in your chain. Your BDE CDR recommended downgrade. So, if your CG marked Approved and they signed it, then you now have an MSM. MSG Private RallyPoint Member Sun, 21 Mar 2021 03:03:49 -0400 2021-03-21T03:03:49-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-my-award-an-msm-or-an-arcom-if-the-brigade-commander-signed-it-saying-to-downgrade-it-but-the-approved-award-says-msm?n=6841082&urlhash=6841082 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>What grade do BDE commanders have currently? I know when I started with the 199th Inf BDE back in 1966, it was BG*. While still in country it was downgraded to COL. The 199th is at Benning now, replaced the 197th, I&#39;d guess. What grade is the Commander now?<br /><br />*After BG Bond was KIA, MAJ Ronnie Reams Sun, 21 Mar 2021 08:57:03 -0400 2021-03-21T08:57:03-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-my-award-an-msm-or-an-arcom-if-the-brigade-commander-signed-it-saying-to-downgrade-it-but-the-approved-award-says-msm?n=6841185&urlhash=6841185 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Brigade commanders are not the approving authority for MSM’s SSG Private RallyPoint Member Sun, 21 Mar 2021 09:39:02 -0400 2021-03-21T09:39:02-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-my-award-an-msm-or-an-arcom-if-the-brigade-commander-signed-it-saying-to-downgrade-it-but-the-approved-award-says-msm?n=6842139&urlhash=6842139 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The Bde commander makes a recommendation. The approving official does not have to follow that recommendation. SGM Jeffrey Hall Sun, 21 Mar 2021 16:32:29 -0400 2021-03-21T16:32:29-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-my-award-an-msm-or-an-arcom-if-the-brigade-commander-signed-it-saying-to-downgrade-it-but-the-approved-award-says-msm?n=6842419&urlhash=6842419 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It depends on who the “approval authority” is in the reg. I doubt that it’s your brigade commander unless he’s a general of some level. It’s most likely a division commander level approval and if you have orders saying you have an MSM, you have an MSM. Your brigade commander made a recommendation which appears to have been overruled by the approval authority. Having said this, I should point out that if your brigade commander goes directly to the approval authority and argues for his position, the approval could be rescinded. I received two MSMs, both of which were approved by general officers. In wartime the approval authority can be delegated to a subordinate commander. Your S1 should probably check with G1, or maybe you should just tread lightly until you PCS, ETS or retire. Authority to wear the award is whatever is documented in your military personnel records or on your DD 214. MSG Terry Lingle Sun, 21 Mar 2021 19:11:12 -0400 2021-03-21T19:11:12-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-my-award-an-msm-or-an-arcom-if-the-brigade-commander-signed-it-saying-to-downgrade-it-but-the-approved-award-says-msm?n=6842998&urlhash=6842998 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It&#39;s an ARCOM. Better to hear it from me here and not when you go in front of a board while wearing the wrong award. When I was in MSMs were approved by a General. It may have changed though, but still, I think you know the answer. SFC Dennis Rodriguez Mon, 22 Mar 2021 00:25:56 -0400 2021-03-22T00:25:56-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-my-award-an-msm-or-an-arcom-if-the-brigade-commander-signed-it-saying-to-downgrade-it-but-the-approved-award-says-msm?n=6844495&urlhash=6844495 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>What does the award order say, who signed it, and what were you presented with? CW3 Kevin Storm Mon, 22 Mar 2021 14:34:05 -0400 2021-03-22T14:34:05-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-my-award-an-msm-or-an-arcom-if-the-brigade-commander-signed-it-saying-to-downgrade-it-but-the-approved-award-says-msm?n=6845379&urlhash=6845379 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Please stop confusing this soldier. Regardless what the intermediate commander recommends... it’s what the approving authority approves. In this case, it’s crystal clear, it’s an MSM. 1SG Private RallyPoint Member Mon, 22 Mar 2021 21:38:02 -0400 2021-03-22T21:38:02-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-my-award-an-msm-or-an-arcom-if-the-brigade-commander-signed-it-saying-to-downgrade-it-but-the-approved-award-says-msm?n=6862687&urlhash=6862687 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>A DA 638 with all the correct approving authorities signatures is the final answer to your question. CSM Jim Corrin Mon, 29 Mar 2021 10:50:27 -0400 2021-03-29T10:50:27-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/is-my-award-an-msm-or-an-arcom-if-the-brigade-commander-signed-it-saying-to-downgrade-it-but-the-approved-award-says-msm?n=7015480&urlhash=7015480 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Years later you will ask yourself what was important. Awards on your uniform aren&#39;t worth a burnt bridge or sour relationship with the 1-Shop. When you go to retire, every &quot;thank you&quot; to those guys will pay off big time. Don&#39;t get caught in the now when someting larger is at stake. CPT Cavett Ishihara Mon, 31 May 2021 10:28:38 -0400 2021-05-31T10:28:38-04:00 2021-03-20T20:36:17-04:00