Posted on Mar 20, 2021
Is my award an MSM or an ARCOM if the Brigade Commander signed it saying to downgrade it, but the "Approved Award" says MSM?
17.5K
126
27
17
17
0
I have a DA Form 638 written for an MSM. The brigade commander signed it saying to downgrade it. However, the "Approved Award" 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.
Awards
S1 Personnel NCO
Career Counselor
Career Advice
Recognition
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 21
20
20
0
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.
(20)
(0)
1SG Marc Jensen
That is certainly what is supposed to happen; the latest work around is "delegated downgrade" and how my retirement award never went before the Approving Authority.
(0)
(0)
17
17
0
What's disappointing about this whole story is that your S1 section is split on the the answer.
There'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?
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.
If block 26 d. says approved, and that person's first name is "general", then it's approved as an MSM.
There'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?
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.
If block 26 d. says approved, and that person's first name is "general", then it's approved as an MSM.
(17)
(0)
6
6
0
SSG (Join to see) Were you not issued an actual medal with paperwork? If not request a one time issue and see what you receive.
(6)
(0)
SSG (Join to see)
CSM, I received a certificate that says ARCOM, but I do not believe I have ever received an actual medal with my DA Form 638.
(2)
(0)
CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
SSG (Join to see) You are ‘up’. Please share the results with Rally Point.
(0)
(0)
LTC Jason Mackay
SSG (Join to see) what does the back of the 638 say for the approval authority? Did the two star sign the ARCOM? Does your two star delegate down grade authority?
(1)
(0)
5
5
0
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.
(5)
(0)
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.
(4)
(0)
4
4
0
4
4
0
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!
(4)
(0)
2
2
0
The Bde commander makes a recommendation. The approving official does not have to follow that recommendation.
(2)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google