Is my award an MSM or an ARCOM if the Brigade Commander signed it saying to downgrade it, but the "Approved Award" says MSM?

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.

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.

It'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.

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if your brigade commander goes directly to the approval authority and argues for his position, the approval could be rescinded.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.

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'd guess. What grade is the Commander now?

*After BG Bond was KIA,

Go with the order

Years later you will ask yourself what was important. Awards on your uniform aren't worth a burnt bridge or sour relationship with the 1-Shop. When you go to retire, every "thank you" to those guys will pay off big time. Don't get caught in the now when someting larger is at stake.

A DA 638 with all the correct approving authorities signatures is the final answer to your question.

What does the award order say, who signed it, and what were you presented with?

I meant, is not an 0-6.