Should a non deployable unit be able to receive a unit award for their work?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 22:36:16 -0400

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2014 10:51 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 22:51:40 -0400

In my opinion yes. So long as the work meets the criteria/criterion of that award. Non deployed units have gotten Army Superior Unit Awards numerous times. That's what they're for.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Apr 23 at 2014 10:55 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 22:55:47 -0400

Absolutely...units awards are not deployment specific.

Now, Campaign streamers should be reserved for deployable/deployed units that see combat. ;)

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Apr 24 at 2014 7:14 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 07:14:37 -0400

I see you are assigned to INSCOM, as such, you should realize the importance some of the 'fixed station' assets your command has. These units are non-deployable (hence fixed station) but provide very tangible services to units world wide. I received a unit award while in one such unit, 713th MI Group. Interesting note; it was an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, an anomaly for an Army guy! This is but one example and I'm sure there are many more.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2014 2:59 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 14:59:53 -0400

Uhh yeah, Rangers lead the way, but wouldn't know where to go without INSCOM :)

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2014 4:23 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 16:23:52 -0400

If a non deployable unit performs excellently they should be rewarded for that excellence.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Jun 24 at 2014 4:32 PM

SGT Ben Keen — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 16:32:31 -0400

Bullets, food, water, fuel don't just grow out of the ground. Communications from the front lines need to be routed to the higher level command somehow. So yes, if a unit serves in direct support of the overseas mission then yes give them a unit award. I will say that I'm with SGM Matthew Quick in that Campaign streamers should be reserved for those that did deploy into a combat environment.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2014 5:17 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 17:17:13 -0400

Of course they should!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 2:11 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 14:11:41 -0400

Absolutely, everyone has a job and their own mission that supports the greater mission of your branch, which supports the mission of the DoD, which supports our nation. Deployable units get more of the glory but that shouldn't diminish your units accomplishments in any way.

Response by LTC Nancy Bodyk (Retired) made Jul 8 at 2015 12:17 PM

LTC Nancy Bodyk (Retired) — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 12:17:27 -0400

Yes, they support deploying units all the time. We need to get out of this mentality that awards are only for deployed personnel, it creates a negative environment and resentment. For example, recruiting units are busting their backsides to get people to enlist in the military. I was in the NYC Recruiting Battalion S-3 as a CPT. The recruiters would be up at 2:00 am and on the road to pick up the applicant to drive them to the nearest military entry processing station (MEPS) by 5:00 am to start the process. The applicant could be at the MEPS all day going through medical and the other requirements to enlist. During this time the recruiter is conducting telephone conversations with other individuals to sell the military, work other applicants through the process, etc. Then the recruiter takes the applicant home, returns to the recruiting station to continue working their contacts. Sometimes the recruiters didn't get home until 9:00 pm only to get up early the next day to get another applicant on the floor. The recruiter gets very little time off. The ones in the NYC area were working sporting events, and other events held on Saturdays and Sundays to try to get contacts to talk about enlisting. They spend very little time with their families unless they're on leave. The recruiter may not be deployed, but he/she is working a very vital job to get people into the miliitary to meet personnel requirements. They definitely deserve a unit award if they have accomplished their mission to restock personnel levels. Every unit exists for a vital role for the military, some are deployable, some are not. They deserve recognition for their role in supporting the military machine.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2015 6:52 PM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 18:52:21 -0400

Yes, if the unit rates the award they should receive it. Is the new wives tale? It used to be that courage was marked as Not Observed on FitReps because the reporting senior did not observe SNM getting shot at, but it still takes courage to stand up for the right thing or person when the command is saying otherwise. Also known as intestinal fortitude.

Response by CSM Danny S. made Mar 9 at 2020 10:23 AM

CSM Danny S. — Mon, 09 Mar 2020 10:23:08 -0400

The Superior Unit Award is a decoration of the United States Army which is awarded in peacetime to any unit of the Army which displays outstanding meritorious performance of a difficult and challenging mission carried out under extraordinary circumstances. Don't let the peacetime fool you, the unit can get this for outstanding meritorious performance not in a hazardous duty zone.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Sep 26 at 2020 3:02 AM

MSG John Duchesneau — Sat, 26 Sep 2020 03:02:02 -0400

if the unit did outstanding work - yes.
Being deployed is not a requirement to get recognition - but it helps.