Is there a difference between the Navy Commendation Medal & the ARCOM?

2018-08-15T21:27:02-04:00

My best friend from highschool is a former FAST Marine, reminds me every day. Anyways, I went to visit him the other day out of state and we were looking at each others pictures from our AD days. He noticed my ARCOM I got in Iraq and when I told him what it was he was in disbelief that an E3 would get a Commendation medal. So, is there a difference? Seems to be a bigger deal to the navy and usmc?

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Aug 15 at 2018 9:29 PM

2018-08-15T21:29:25-04:00

The standards for the award of the Commendation medals are the same. If their command just didn't want to award them that was on the Command.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Aug 15 at 2018 9:40 PM

2018-08-15T21:40:52-04:00

The Marines and Navy issue Achievement Medals for occasions the Army would issue ARCOMS or MSM/Bronze Stars for.. Same awards, technically the same criteria, but a very different awards philosophy..

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Aug 15 at 2018 9:53 PM

2018-08-15T21:53:46-04:00

It is basically the same thing Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) and Navy Commendation Medal.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2018 10:11 PM

2018-08-15T22:11:05-04:00

An E-3 would almost never get a Achievement medal in Navy and lucky in Marine Corps. E-4 to E-6 usually will receive NAM's and NAVCOM usually E-7 and above. Now "V" don't even think about it, needs to be Silver Star write up. See how this works Navy does not give stuff away.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2018 10:12 PM

2018-08-15T22:12:49-04:00

I thought it would be three or more accomplishments from the Navy, the Marine Corps and the US Army and its Reserve components. Correct me if I'm wrong!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2018 10:17 PM

2018-08-15T22:17:08-04:00

Didn’t realize how touchy this subject could be. My entire time in I’ve only worn my dress uniform or variation of such uniform on 3 occasions. OSUT graduation, Class A inspection after deployment, friends wedding. I never paid any attention or thought much of them because we never wore them. I never looked at it from the perspective of branches that wear ribbons/medals quite often compared to the army.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2018 11:57 PM

2018-08-15T23:57:45-04:00

A better question is, why do “we” judge a man based on the medals on his chest

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Aug 16 at 2018 5:37 AM

2018-08-16T05:37:14-04:00

Same award, different name.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2018 9:24 AM

2018-08-16T09:24:11-04:00

well a lot of people here have a lot of opinions. To answer your original question Yes they are the same award just for different branch. Just like AAM is the same as a NAM. I have both but I received mine as an E3 lance corporal and as E4 corporal so it all depends on your unit, the job you did, and who put you in for it. For my Marine Corps awards I got put in by a Master Gunns so nobody was going to tell him what his marine deserved for the job I did and the other by a CWO5 with bursting bombs and nobody was going to tell him what his marine deserved.
But yes I've seen the Army hand out awards like cookies but doesn't mean the Soldier didn't deserve the award if they got recommended for it and it got approved someone with a lot more rank O5 and above believed he deserved it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2018 11:35 AM

2018-08-16T11:35:59-04:00

I agree. It is a huge deal for an USMC SGT I know and his NAM, but my multiple AAMs and ARCOM are virtually unheard of in the USN or USMC for similar achievement/performance. Respect for either though.

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made Aug 17 at 2018 2:32 PM

2018-08-17T14:32:19-04:00

Most Marines I have known would prefer an extra ration of red crayons in lieu of any commendation or achievement medal.