PCS/ETS gift

MSG Martinis Butler — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 06:32:25 -0500

If a leader, Officer, or NCO departs from a unit because they are PCSing or ETSing and has done a great job while being their should the unit get together and purchase a plaque or should they be made to purchase their own going away gift?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2014 6:54 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 06:54:49 -0500

(loud gasp) I shudder to think that SFC Butler, buttttt there could be limits imposed for sure. For instance we have a Cup & Flower type and voluntarily donate $5.00 pr month w/a cap of XX. If that person leaving wants a particular plaque that's over that budget then they can add to the funds, or others can willingly donate more. But I would hope when they come on board that information had already been discussed and they knew they would be coming out of pocket.

Response by CMC Robert Young made Jan 9 at 2014 7:51 AM

CMC Robert Young — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 07:51:01 -0500

In my experience, we (the royal we - anybody who wanted to contribute) pitched in and purchased a plague for the departing member. It has become fashionable in the seagoing services to present an ornamental boat oar which typically cost between $50 and $100. Getting folks onboard for a couple of dollars each usually isn't difficult.

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2014 8:17 AM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 08:17:15 -0500

It's interesting that we only address this for Officers and NCOs. When I was a Squad Leader in Germany, every soldier who PCS'd/ETS'd from our Squad received a gift. We'd just pass the hat. It was generally something small, practical, and always engraved. Steins, flasks, knives, solid brass Zippos, etc. I'm sure some sensitive types will be disturbed that the gifts were usually alcohol or tobacco related. But they can pound sand.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Jan 9 at 2014 9:56 AM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 09:56:32 -0500

Been a part of a couple of different types of programs for "departure gifts"' have done the monthly voluntary donation thing as well as the pass the hat type. Depends on the unit and the individuals involved as to how well each works. I have always felt, since I was a young NCO, that a valued member of the unit, that has done a good job while assigned there, should never leave empty handed. I have had the displeasure of this happening to me personally as a member of the cadre at the NCO Academy at Ft. Stewart; we had a monthly fund that I paid into religously for the first 18 months I was there, it was enough to "buy" my gift, an engraved saber with a nice wooden mounting plaque. But after 2 turnovers of the person in charge of the funds, we were suddenly at a zero balance and unless I contributed again, I would leave empty handed; I did not contribute from that point forward and left empty handed after 2 1/2 years as an SGL and Sr SGL. Even was called into the 1SG's office and was told it could affect my NCOER in loyalty or some ridiculous manner because I "wasn't supporting the unit"; I respectfully informed the 1SG that I had fully supported the fund and had purchased my gift 2 times over and now was being told that oh well; I also informed him, again respectfully, that if there was any hint of this on my NCOER we would be having a discussion with IG. The matter was dropped, and 2 months later when I "PCS'd" back to a line unit on Ft. Stewart, I did so empty handed. I made it a point from then on that noone under my supervision/leadership would ever leave without a token of esteem/appreciation from the unit(PLT/section, etc.) and this continued until I retired last Oct.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2014 10:45 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 10:45:42 -0500

Historically in my units, we have had monthly donations, based on pay grade. $5 for an E-5 per month, etc. with the Platoon Sergeant and Platoon leader making slightly more generous contributions. As it was a donation, no one was forced to put in, but it was encouraged (after all, who REALLY can't afford to put in $5 a month?), and it was no secret that the funds went toward PCS/ETS gifts. We even had creative input toward the gifts/plaques, and if you wanted something different, or more personal, you could put in more funds toward it. If you didn't make any contributions though, the priority for your purchases fell to the bottom of the pile. The system worked out pretty well for all included, and I didn't notice any dissatisfaction. 

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2014 11:40 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 11:40:13 -0500

I've always felt that any Soldier departing the unit on good terms deserves a gift. A personal gift from the section/platoon, a traditional gift from the company, and Battalion coin with Army Award from BN CDR. Nothing has to be expensive to give the Soldier recognition.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2014 9:52 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 21:52:24 -0500

Gathering up money is the best way to get a farewell gift. There are some guidelines on donations but I always think that asking for donations is the best route.

As a general rule, the Joint Ethics Regulation (JER) permits an appropriate gift to a superior on special infrequent occasions. A PCS or retirement is a special infrequent occasion.
The value of the PCS/ETS gift should not normally exceed $300 per donating group. Although there is no definition in the JER for a donating group, it is proper for each identifiable group or discrete organization to present a gift as a separate donating group. If an individual donates to more than one donating group, the groups are aggregated for purposes of determining the $300 limit.
When soliciting contributions for a gift, you may not solicit a donation in excess of $10 from an individual. An individual may, however, voluntarily offer to contribute more. Consider appointing junior personnel to solicit contributions to ensure individuals do not feel coerced into making a contribution.

I am in a flight company and the Commander and myself came up with a unique option. I buy wood planks and cut them down to plaque size. I then rout the edges and sand it down so it looks professional. We have a local engraving shop make some wooden cutouts of our unit logo. We turn the blank wooden planks in and have the Soldiers name, unit dates and out company motto engraved. My Commander then takes the wooden planks, and the unit logo and she glues them to the plank with raised spacers so it seems the logo is floating over the plank. She stains the final product and we present it to the Soldier before they leave.

All in all the only money we ask for from the Soldiers is $15. Most unit Soldiers donate $5-$10 and it gives us a large pool of money to work with for many Soldiers. It shows our Soldiers that we care enough to personally take time out to create a homemade plaque.

Asking a Soldier to buy their own gift is a crappy way to say thanks for your time and service.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2014 11:33 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 23:33:19 -0500

SFC this is a great question. This is how I have explained it to my troops. An award is from the command for hard work and dedication to the unit. The plaque or like item is from the troops i.e. the platoon or companies Soldiers for the same. I do not think it should be limited to leaders. I advocate for everyone who departs honorably to receive a plaque to signify the respect the troops have for each other and their leaders. This is the way that I was raised as a leader at Bragg. A plaque is the lasting personal evidence of respect given and time we'll spent. My plaque from the 21st MP CO (AIRBORNE ) means a lot more to me than my pcs award.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2014 11:57 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 23:57:45 -0500

There's usually a fund set aside for farewell gifts, but the ones that are warranted for them are a matter of protocol, which is very biased, but that's up there with the awards process as well...Moving on...

Personally, when my Soldiers would depart, it didn't mattered what their rank was, they would get something that symbolized their commitment to my team and our organization as a whole, no matter how big or small. As far as the funding goes, it is an entirely optional process and no one should feel compelled to contribute. It should be a donation based type of funding.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2014 12:03 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 00:03:33 -0500

In my company all soldiers leaving receive the same farewell gift regardless of rank, which is presented to the soldier from the company, if the section or team the soldier is assigned to wants to get together and purchase a different plaque as well they have all the freedom to do so. The only exception was the company commander who received a large framed guidon. We utilize our "cup and flower" fund to purchase them.

Response by SFC Robert Fye made Jan 10 at 2014 6:32 AM

SFC Robert Fye — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 06:32:10 -0500

I am retired but have to chime in on this, I have a desk and corner of the room filled with plaques, banners and pictures of my time in, even if it was only 3 months at a post that was closing, there are also a lot of framed certificates and plaques that my wife received. It makes for lots of memories. I at one time did tell the NCOIC of my shop that I was not interested in a painting for a farewell gift, as that was the traditional farewell gift, I had picked up many of them for previous outgoing soldiers. Anyways any unit that I had been in and when a soldier was leaving regardless of his rank received a gift of some sort, the only ones that didn't were those that were being kicked out, Take care of the soldiers and they will take care of you, it is a rather small world and you will see them again sooner than you thought

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2014 5:46 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 17:46:17 -0500

That is what the cup and flower fund is used for. Although, this is not the case. I have been in a unit where the outgoing CSM was given gifts from each section, the command group and then individuals. The correct answer is ask JAG. Each unit is different.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2014 6:19 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 18:19:37 -0500

If the individual has positively impacted the unit and showed some good leadership skills , then he/she better be getting something lol. Its always a nice feeling when you're recognized for job well done.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 4 at 2014 1:19 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 13:19:33 -0400

Air Cav Troops are relatively small. Our fridge fund was the major money maker for end of tour awards. Everyone got the same from the Troop, regardless of rank. The Officer Corps and NCO Corps took care of their own within the Squadron. We all put in $5 a month to take care of the bulk of the cost. The command group got 1911's with our unit signature unit hand guards. Air Cav!

Response by SGT Richard H. made Sep 4 at 2014 1:32 PM

SGT Richard H. — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 13:32:41 -0400

If they have to purchase their own, it isn't a 'gift', it's a 'purchase'.