Posted on Mar 20, 2020
Other than HRC, who should I petition for an exception to policy in awarding the Basic Army Instructor Badge?
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I recently submitted an inquiry to HRC Awards and Decorations Branch, asking how to go about submitting a petition for exception to policy in awarding the Basic Army Instructor Badge to all former Instructor/Writers, whom to contact with such a request, and what supporting documentation should be sufficient. As a former Instructor/Writer (SQI 8) for the U.S. Army Armor School from April 2009 to November 2012, I would personally love to be awarded the badge, but unfortunately the current earliest cutoff date for the badges is 7 June 2013. I know for a fact that I, at the VERY least, accomplished the minimum requirements to earn the BAIB, as I'm certain any prior Instructor/Writers have. My intended petition would be strictly for retroactively awarding the BAIB only, as the requirements for the Senior and Master level badges are far more stringent and would be too difficult to prove, plus I wouldn't want to dillute the prestige of those ones so much by blanket awarding them. My suggestion is for the BAIB to be awarded to all SQI 8 qualified Soldiers, provided they were not relieved for cause from their instructor position, and that documentation used as proof for submission be DD 214 (if discharged/retired like me), ERB/SRB, NCOERs from the time of assignment, certificates showing completion of Instructor Training Course or Army Basic Instructor Course, certificates showing instructor certification at the unit level, award certificates for achievement from the time of assignment, etc.
My question would be...does anyone here already know of a POC other than HRC that it would be prudent to send my proposal to? Also, how many people here on Rallypoint would get behind such a petition? I truly feel that any instructor, past or present, deserves recognition for the countless hours poured into leading, training and mentoring young Soldiers. I understand that some may say the service itself is enough, or that we don't all need badges to know what we did. I agree in a way, yet Drill Sergeants, Recruiters and Career Counselors all get badges for doing their jobs too, as well as Special Duty Pay, which Instructor/Writers don't get. Please let me know,what do you all think?
My question would be...does anyone here already know of a POC other than HRC that it would be prudent to send my proposal to? Also, how many people here on Rallypoint would get behind such a petition? I truly feel that any instructor, past or present, deserves recognition for the countless hours poured into leading, training and mentoring young Soldiers. I understand that some may say the service itself is enough, or that we don't all need badges to know what we did. I agree in a way, yet Drill Sergeants, Recruiters and Career Counselors all get badges for doing their jobs too, as well as Special Duty Pay, which Instructor/Writers don't get. Please let me know,what do you all think?
Posted in these groups: 
Instructor
Badges
Instructor Badges
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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Why would you be authorized an exception to the policy? When the policy of the award was written, somewhere along the line the policy makers analysed whether or not to make an award retroactive and decided against it. So, you would have to show how you or your situation was so exceptional as to warrant an exception and still keep within the spirit and intent of the policy.
I think what you are asking for would be a policy change to make it retroactive. Who and what time period should be covered are the first two things determined when creating an award. I don't see HRC going back and changing their mind just because someone asks them to re-look at the same question over that they've already answered
I think what you are asking for would be a policy change to make it retroactive. Who and what time period should be covered are the first two things determined when creating an award. I don't see HRC going back and changing their mind just because someone asks them to re-look at the same question over that they've already answered
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SFC Jeremy Boyd
SFC (Join to see) perhaps an ETP wasn't clearly explaining my goal. I believe your statement of a policy change more clearly expressed it, thank you. As to the point you made about the prior analysis of the badge, after researching TR 600-21 and the requirements under the Instructor Development and Recognition Program, I see very little, if any, differences in qualification, certification and evaluation procedure than when I was an instructor. From what I can see, I can't find any reason that the badge couldn't be retroactively awarded.
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SFC (Join to see)
SFC Jeremy Boyd you don't see a reason but HRC has already determined a reason not to. Just like HRC declined to make the CAB any more retroactive than the start of GWOT. There are lots of reasons they may have declined to make it retroactive, not the least of which would be the massive amount of work that would be placed on HRC by decades of retroactive awards and DD215s
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SFC Jeremy Boyd
SFC (Join to see) I do understand where you are coming from. At this point, being a retiree whose current job is closed for two weeks amid this COVID-19 situation and also in-seat college classes relegated to online meetups, this is a bit of a pet/passion project cooked up in my mind after many hours home alone. It is just something I'd like to try and would feel better having at least tried, even if it goes nowhere. We miss 100% of the shots we don't take! I greatly appreciate your input, because it makes the time go by faster and helps generate interest and debate. Thank you.
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I know it is unfair, but that is how it was originally written. I am in a similar position as you, I am actually about as or more irritated than you are about the situation.
My case is a little bit different than yours. I spent a full 3 year tour as an Active Duty Junior ROTC Instructor, and when I was selected it was deemed unnecessary for me to attend the Instructor Course. Interestingly enough my fellow Instructors were already school qualified Instructors or Drill Sergeants.
It is also interesting to note that a couple of years ago (in 2018) they started tightening up on the standards and requirements, in some areas reducing some of the requirements, and increasing evaluation requirements. See TRADOC Reg 600-21. https://adminpubs.tradoc.army.mil/regulations/TR600-21.pdf
My case is a little bit different than yours. I spent a full 3 year tour as an Active Duty Junior ROTC Instructor, and when I was selected it was deemed unnecessary for me to attend the Instructor Course. Interestingly enough my fellow Instructors were already school qualified Instructors or Drill Sergeants.
It is also interesting to note that a couple of years ago (in 2018) they started tightening up on the standards and requirements, in some areas reducing some of the requirements, and increasing evaluation requirements. See TRADOC Reg 600-21. https://adminpubs.tradoc.army.mil/regulations/TR600-21.pdf
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SSG Kevin Pendelton
question did you not wear the othe bad when you was instructor i did its the follow me with the light blue leather backing I'm actually proud to have worn it i was an instructor on Malone 5/6 249 and 240 range
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I thank everyone that took the time to read my question and give me feedback. I received a reply email today from HRC Awards and Decorations Branch, and they informed me that I must submit my request to TRADOC, as they are the proponents for the badge and are the ones who determine the criteria. Wish me luck!
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SFC Alvin Jackson
I am the instructor of the year for the US Army Chemical school and I also taught at the Instrutor Training School and went from what we called at that time from associate to senior instructor. I spent almost 5 years as an instructor, I do believe I would make that master instructor since I was considered that, on our local post. Please contact me, SFC Jeremy Boyd, if you can. In the picture is a MSM I got as the Instructor of the Year. The other item is a plague that shows I would have been their Master Instructor, this was in the early to mid 80’s.
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