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ETS/EAS
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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(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.
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MSG Martinis Butler
Cup and flower fun is nice but I don't see why an individual should give money and tell the buyer what he or she wants for their going away. If you contributed than the people will give but if they feel that you gave then you wont receive anything, but it should atleast be decided by the unit,platoon or the people that worked with that individual. I love buying gifts for people PCSing the shock on their face that present that I belong type of look does my heart proud!
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