No retirement award?

SSG Robert Spear — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 15:48:04 -0500

How common is it for an NCO in good standing to not receive a retirement award from their (Reserve) Unit? I retired (20+ years) at the end of 2016, and was told that an award would be forthcoming. To this day I've gotten nothing except my retirement certificate from USARC. Not even one of those cool folded flags.

Response by SrA John Monette made Nov 15 at 2018 3:50 PM

SrA John Monette — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 15:50:53 -0500

SSG Robert Spear you were expecting an award at your retirement? the days of the gold watch for retirees are over

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2018 4:24 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 16:24:26 -0500

More then likely you have gotten everything you will from your old unit. Our local process is for the command to submit the award for retiring soldiers at least six months out from their end of service date. Doing all the paperwork that early allows for the award to be presented during the SM last BA. But, I have seen it take two years for an award to get processed. I would suggest you reach out to your old unit's 1SG or SGM and see what you come up with.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2018 5:23 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 17:23:12 -0500

Sometimes it happens. Perhaps lost or never submitted due to laziness. I have run across it a few times and fixed it when I found it. It would be a rare thing for a soldier to not justify retirement recognition. Just my opinion.

Response by SrA John Monette made Nov 15 at 2018 5:32 PM

SrA John Monette — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 17:32:09 -0500

SSG Robert Spear one of my contacts just got his certificates and a folded flag TWO YEARS after he retired. keep your eyes peeled

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Nov 15 at 2018 6:16 PM

SSgt Dan Montague — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 18:16:48 -0500

I feel you. Did 20 years active and didn't get crap. I was suppose to have awards follow me to my last unit then receive them upon retiring.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Nov 15 at 2018 6:34 PM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 18:34:58 -0500

SSG Robert Spear follow up. Call and ask what the status is

Response by SSG Robert Spear made Nov 15 at 2018 6:53 PM

SSG Robert Spear — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 18:53:12 -0500

Thank you all for the great responses. I feel awkward asking my old unit about it, but I think I'll reach out to them.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2018 7:45 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 19:45:53 -0500

I came back from Afghanistan, my unit was deploying, was put in another unit in the same building, I opted to retire after 23 years, all I got was my retirement orders on weekend, and the address at Knox to turn my gear in.

Response by SFC Thomas Nichols made Nov 15 at 2018 9:42 PM

SFC Thomas Nichols — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 21:42:29 -0500

Happens in the RA too... well, happened once that I know of.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2018 8:13 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Nov 2018 08:13:19 -0500

That SSG Spear is piss poor leadership.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2018 8:47 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Nov 2018 08:47:36 -0500

Very common. In active and reserve components a PCS or retirement award can get hung up at any level from recommender to approver.
All of these problems start from the recommender not submitting six months out for presentation prior to departure:
Your recommender might have never finished it or never submitted it.
It might have been returned for corrections and forgotten.
It might have been lost at BDE level pending review.
It might have been approved and never sent back.
It might have been approved and sent back to someone at the unit who got there after you left and they don't have your contact information.
Contact your last unit, AND contact the BDE S1 for that unit.

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Nov 16 at 2018 9:12 PM

MAJ Raúl Rovira — Fri, 16 Nov 2018 21:12:23 -0500

This is not the way to say "Thank you for your service".

Sometimes the paperwork gets lost, and sometimes the recommender is in Lalaland.

Response by SGM Gregory Tarancon IV made Nov 17 at 2018 7:27 AM

SGM Gregory Tarancon IV — Sat, 17 Nov 2018 07:27:42 -0500

SSG Spear, Sadly what you have experienced happens regularly throughout all three components. SGM Jeff Mccloud has already listed most of the main reasons. I am glad to see that you are going to reach out to your unit. A word of advice; as you compose the letter be mindful that it might have been an oversight, so be professional. Also, most retirement awards traditionally cover the last 10 years of your career. I would not expect your unit to know what you did over the last 10-years so I would attached a couple of NCOERs or a summary in bullet form of your accomplishments over the last 10 years.

Response by SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS made Nov 17 at 2018 7:52 AM

SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS — Sat, 17 Nov 2018 07:52:56 -0500

SSG Robert Spear, if you contact a retirement counselor at the nearest active duty installation, they will obtain the appropriate retirement recognition, flag, certificate, certificate for spouse, etc.

Pertaining to the Retirement Award, sadly, my experience with the USAR is this is a common occurence. Professionalism, honor, duty, selfless service, integrity are but a few of the qualities you demonstrated throughout your 20 year career.

Many other posts have related you should contact your former units Unit Administrator. This would be a good start. Manage your career even in retirement. Don't shy away from reminding someone of your dedicated service to our Republic.

Good luck and thank you for your service,

Joe

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2018 3:23 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Nov 2018 15:23:53 -0500

Not very common. Do you know if the 638 ever made it up to the approving authority?

Response by SFC Jeremy Boyd made Apr 28 at 2019 4:23 PM

SFC Jeremy Boyd — Sun, 28 Apr 2019 16:23:03 -0400

SSG Spear I am in the same boat with you. I retired officially on October 1st 2018, and although I did receive my retirement certificate, flag and Presidential Certificate of Appreciation, I have yet to receive a retirement award. Hell, if I hadn't written it and submitted it to my 1SG for review and forwarding I highly doubt the process would have ever started. I've followed up and received no word on mine, but if you are more than two years out from the service to be awarded you can attempt the Title 10 USC 1130 process. That enables you to submit the award request through your Member of Congress (typically your state's district House Representative). HRC has the information for initiating the process if you're interested.

Response by SGT Keith Lawson made Jun 30 at 2019 12:35 AM

SGT Keith Lawson — Sun, 30 Jun 2019 00:35:35 -0400

I am currently also waiting for my Award also?

Response by SGT Keith Lawson made Jun 30 at 2019 12:36 AM

SGT Keith Lawson — Sun, 30 Jun 2019 00:36:52 -0400

I had barely received my retirement orders for my brand new Identification card....

Response by SSG Scott Morgan made Dec 8 at 2019 11:12 PM

SSG Scott Morgan — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 23:12:12 -0500

I medically retired with 15 years of service. I SPENT 2, 2 year deployments in Iraq, and 1, 1 year deployment. I didnt recieve a retirement award. I just found out that another soldier that I served with just retired today medically with 14 years survice. He received an ARCOM. So I guess it based on who you know.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2019 10:24 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Dec 2019 22:24:49 -0500

Thank for your 20 years of service SSG,

Sad to see that reserves dropped the ball like that.... just know that your service was and is appreciated

Response by SGT Shawn James Corter made Nov 18 at 2020 8:06 AM

SGT Shawn James Corter — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 08:06:41 -0500

SSG Spear, I was in the same boat. I didn't get my retirement award either, even after I submitted the bullets to my 1st Line for my MSM. It is apparent that they didn't have the desire to push it to the CG to sign off, which shows how much they cared for their Soldiers.

Response by SSG Kurt Brandon made Dec 6 at 2021 10:15 PM

SSG Kurt Brandon — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 22:15:25 -0500

The same. Except, I got a letter of appreciation after 22 years. Pretty disappointed

Response by SSG Kurt Brandon made Dec 6 at 2021 10:19 PM

SSG Kurt Brandon — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 22:19:44 -0500

I feel the same. 22 years and I got a letter of appreciation. Disappointing