Quarterly/Annual awards.

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 20:05:47 -0400

What is everyone's thoughts on the various awards programs?

As an AF Cyber guy here are the awards we have off the top of my head.

Monthly Diamond Sharp Award: (E4 and below) Levels: Sq, Grp, Wing

Quarterly Awards: (Amn\NCO\SNCO\CGO\Honor Guardsmen) Levels: Sq, Grp, Wing

Annual Awards: (Amn\NCO\SNCO\CGO\Honor Guardsmen) Levels: Sq, Grp, Wing, MAJCOM, AF

Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award (Jr Enlisted/Sr Enlisted, CGO) Levels: Sq, Grp, Wing, MAJCOM, AF

Information Dominance Award (Amn\NCO\SNCO\CGO\FGO) by AFSC. Levels: Wing, MAJCOM, AF

John P. Jumper Awards for Excellence in Warfighting Integration: (O/E) Levels: Wing, MAJCOM, AF

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2014 8:25 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 20:25:05 -0400

I think when used correctly awards can be very helpful. If your troops (or yourself) are doing a good job, it is a good method to not only reward them but also to track their progress. I use awards as a way to complete EPRs later when they are due. I have already put the packages through the wringer and the leadership has made the tweaks necessary so I can pull bullets later. I do not however agree with being forced to put people in to put people in. This is unfair to those that are deserving and a waste of supervisor time. I am interested with the new EPR system how much awards will affect the rating system. However, like the EPR system the decoration system has flaws and needs to be reviewed also in my opinion.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Oct 30 at 2014 8:39 PM

CMSgt James Nolan — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 20:39:02 -0400

My last deployment took me to the land of "everybody wins". I cannot even begin to describe how much rage I had flowing through my body. We wasted so much valuable time trying to make sure that these elaborate deals took place. It was ridiculous.

My thought is this: in the deployed environment-if someone needs no fooling recognizing for the amazing things they have done, then do it. But "mandatory fun" is not fun. And, I know, the argument is : whoa, if I am deployed, I can't get Airman of the Month. My answer is: ya, you are deployed. Do great things when you get home, and get Airman of the Month there. It is the constant theory of "everyone gets a prize" Well, they don't.

End of rant.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2014 5:37 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 17:37:37 -0500

I think more "lower level", i.e. unit, awards should be in place for monthly performance within a group. These are generally peer based, and I noticed people work substantially harder when they know the people around them notice their work. Annual/quarterlies are nice, and its great to get recognized for what you do, but I feel because its not very often a lot of people get overlooked.