Several of the ROTC cadets my unit hosted have performed above and beyond. Can I award my ROTC SMP cadets Army citations, like enlisted?

2018-01-28T04:01:35-05:00

Response by LCDR Robert S. made Jan 28 at 2018 6:45 AM

2018-01-28T06:45:43-05:00

I don't know whether there's an official policy, but keep in mind when you're thinking about this, that their performance shouldn't just be above and beyond for ROTC, it should be above and beyond for outside the training environment that they are in. The question you should ask yourself is, "If this trooper were a 2LT or SGT, would these actions be worthy of the level of recognition that I want to give him/her." At the end of the day, I don't think there's a whole lot a cadet can do that would have enough impact on the *Army* to merit recognition.

Response by LTC John Griscom made Jan 28 at 2018 8:16 AM

2018-01-28T08:16:18-05:00

Need a little more information on performance. What was done and over what time period?

Response by MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2018 8:52 AM

2018-01-28T08:52:12-05:00

I speculate you mean an award when you state “citation.” Generally, the answer is ‘no.’ There are specific awards for cadets that do not carry over upon graduation. “Above and beyond” is subjective. However, you have qualified NCOs and Officers in your ROTC program you should reach out to. There are other ways to reward cadets, even SMP, than decorations awarded to Active Duty personnel.

Again, reach out to the NCOs there. They’ll square you away. Trust them.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2018 9:37 AM

2018-01-28T09:37:22-05:00

Cadets can receive military citations and awards if earned. Contracted cadets. Those not under contract have no status so I don’t think they can. If they are doing CTLT then yes.

Response by LTC John Mohor made Jan 28 at 2018 10:32 AM

2018-01-28T10:32:39-05:00

A life saving venture I certainly do believe could be recognized with an appropriate Army award. Actions that take place during Battle Assemblies or Annual Training yes. The other stuff I'd go with regulations and advice already provided.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Jan 28 at 2018 10:34 AM

2018-01-28T10:34:05-05:00

I would call, or preferably write a letter to the Officer in Charge of the ROTC unit to which "your" cadets are assigned, giving details on their exemplary performance and requesting that they be recognized. He or she may come back and say that you are authorized to present what we in the Corps called a Meritorious Mast and your letter will serve as the basis for that mast. If you are not authorized to extend recognition under your letterhead, their OIC would be able to extend the appropriate recognition. If their OIC opines that you are authorized to originate the official recognition, you might consider sending it via your chain to get it to the level that corresponds to a regional or national ROTC command authority , thereby getting forwarding endorsements of your correspondence from senior officers.

Response by COL John McClellan made Jan 28 at 2018 11:29 AM

2018-01-28T11:29:10-05:00

The answer is YES, a unit hosting SMP Cadets can recommend them for Awards, and, I agree with the response that suggests you also coordinate with their host school’s ROTC Dept!

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2018 9:21 PM

2018-01-28T21:21:12-05:00

SMP cadets are by definition simultaneously cadets and serving members of the National Guard, so yes, they can be awarded like any other Soldier in the formation.
I am ROTC cadre and 1SG of a Unit with SMPs, (as well as having Regular Army and AGR experience), send me a message if you have any trouble/questions filling out a 638.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Jan 28 at 2018 9:46 PM

2018-01-28T21:46:13-05:00

I would like to clarify what you are asking. Do you mean an award like the Army Achievement Medal or do you mean a certificate? Remember as a 2LT, the most you can do is recommend someone for an award. So there are two things you need to consider. First, what is your unit's award SOP? The AAM approval authority is the Battalion Commander so you should talk with him or at least with the BN XO. Second, what did these cadets do to earn a possible medal? I would think it would have to be something exceptional and that could well be the case. Otherwise, I would not recommend giving them an award. They will have time once commissioned to do that.

Response by SPC Zach Lockhart made Jan 29 at 2018 9:09 PM

2018-01-29T21:09:03-05:00

How about awarding them with an "A"? Jeez, I served three years and no one in my unit received awards. Now you're trying to give medals to cadets?

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2019 11:00 AM

2019-03-11T11:00:41-04:00

Cadet Command has a whole list of awards and citations available only to Cadets while they are in ROTC. If they are not contracted or not SMP, then it is advisable to look into the Cadet awards. Check USACC Reg 672-5-1.

Response by CPT Daniel Cox made May 28 at 2019 7:12 PM

2019-05-28T19:12:50-04:00

As an ROTC Cadet I was awarded a ribbon from The Daughters of the American Colonists for Outstanding Service during my Sophomore Year at the Claremont Colleges ROTC. While I was a Cadet, I was allowed to wear the ribbon next to (third in line) the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medals I was awarded for my enlisted service after graduating from the US Military Academy Preparatory School, before entering the Academy at West Point. Once I was commissioned, the DAC ribbon was no longer allowed to be worn.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Nov 8 at 2021 4:40 PM

2021-11-08T16:40:40-05:00

Some medals are authorized to be awarded to civilians. That is how Joe Galloway got his BS at Ia Drang.