Is the chain of command allowed to sign an Army Good Conduct Medal disqualification memo after an SM received an ART 15?

2021-05-18T18:28:01-04:00

Current situation:
-SM received ART15 In September 2020 (yes 2020).
-SM is able to acquire his next AGCM on May 25, 2021 (7 days from today).
-Today, (18 May 2021), he’s notified by his chain of command to sign the memo to disqualify him of getting such, because of the events that happened on September 2020 which resulted in ART15(field grade).
-Yes, the SM was guilty for his actions and received punishment, but COC is trying to use that ART15 which happened 8 months ago.

With that being said the question is:
-Is the chain if command allowed to do so?

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made May 18 at 2021 6:31 PM

2021-05-18T18:31:19-04:00

I would refer you to SFC Private RallyPoint Member as he seems to be very knowledgeable regarding Army Regulations!

Response by MSG Gary Eckert made May 18 at 2021 6:56 PM

2021-05-18T18:56:29-04:00

Yes. The Commander may use misconduct or inefficiency as reasons to disapprove the Good Conduct Medal. The memo should include the period of disqualification. For Court Martial the new starting date is the day after the punishment is complete. Many Commanders use this standard for Article 15s, too.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2021 9:02 PM

2021-05-18T21:02:01-04:00

Is this a serious question?
The AGCM is for making it three years of exemplary service, not for just making it three years without getting kicked out...

While AR 600-8-22 does state:
"c. While any record of non-judicial punishment or unfavorable action could be in conflict with recognizing the Soldier's service as exemplary, such record should not be viewed as automatically disqualifying. The commander will analyze the record, giving consideration to the nature of the infraction, the circumstances under which it occurred and when"

That said, a field grade ART 15 is a pretty serious event. A field grade can result in a reduction in grade for up to an E6. And even without a reduction, it can result in a QMP. A field grade is not the result of a minor lapse in judgement.

Short answer, yes, chain of command is allowed to do so, read 4-6 and 4-7 of AR 600-8-22, which was probably in the reference line of the memo you mentioned.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made May 19 at 2021 1:01 AM

2021-05-19T01:01:57-04:00

The AGCM is for three continuous years of good conduct. Getting an article 15 is prima facia evidence (ask a JAG what that means) that the soldier has not met the standard of good conduct and the three year clock should be reset from that date. (If I ran the Army a Battalion Commander could sign a waiver in the case where a soldier received only one Article 15 in the three year period.)

Response by MSgt Gilbert Jones made May 19 at 2021 1:23 PM

2021-05-19T13:23:44-04:00

If you weren't a good guy during those three years that the AGCM covered then you don't deserve the medal. You must be good during the whole period.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2021 2:38 PM

2021-05-19T14:38:58-04:00

Yep. The Commander is authorized to do that. Once his 45 days of punishment ends, his 3 year clock resets.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made May 19 at 2021 5:52 PM

2021-05-19T17:52:22-04:00

I retired without one