Should civilians be awarded medals?

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 13:18:10 -0400

Just about every federal agency now awards medals to civilians, some along with cash. Should they get one or the other or both, or nothing at all?

Response by SGT Richard H. made Oct 28 at 2014 1:22 PM

SGT Richard H. — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 13:22:09 -0400

I think it depends on the situation. If it's just a job well done....well, then thanks for doing your job. If it's some great contribution to the greater good of mankind or the country, then sure, why not?

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2014 1:28 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 13:28:30 -0400

I have no problem with a civilian getting a medal. If for instance it's for a Police Officer or Fireman who committed a valorous or heroic act then of course. If you are a scientist and come up with a cure or treatment for a disease or something yes of course you deserve a medal. However I never really agreed with anybody getting a medal just for performing their job even if they do it better than required. If the person needs recognition give them a certificate or a plaque, even a raise.

Response by CSM John Bergeron made Oct 28 at 2014 1:36 PM

CSM John Bergeron — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 13:36:20 -0400

why not, if it is erned yes.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Oct 28 at 2014 1:42 PM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 13:42:30 -0400

Utilized both civilian medals and cash awards when warranted for the DAC Instructors that worked for me, everyone appreciates being noticed and commended when they deserve it!

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2014 1:57 PM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 13:57:09 -0400

Many if not most cash awards are or have been cut due to budgets. I don't think Civilians should be getting medals in my opinion unless you have done something pretty amazing or outstanding. I think the cash awards would be cool and I would equate them to a bonuses in the private sector and should be based on outstanding performance but make them worthwhile. I received one when I first started at my agency for work I did on a project and after taxes it amounted to a little over $250. Considering the amount of time I put in on the project I kind of thought it was a bit of a slap in the face. I'm grateful to have gotten it but still not worth the tax hassles.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Oct 28 at 2014 3:29 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 15:29:46 -0400

Civilian service medals are a great way to recognize achievement by GS employees, particularly with budget constraints. However, these awards should always be either/or. They either get the medal, cash award or time off.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2014 4:02 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 16:02:46 -0400

The criteria for DA Army Civilian awards and incentives are covered in AR 672-20/DA PAM 672-20, as do the respective branches all have their own regulation & policies. As to the amount of medals, there's about 12 medals I know of and not including any certificates of achievement/appreciation that a DA civilian can get. Most other federal agencies DoE, FBI, border patrol etc have some type of awards program. If the person deserved it, then do the write up, what's the worst anyone can say, no?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awards_and_decorations_of_the_United_States_government

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2014 6:40 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 18:40:16 -0400

For civilians, medals are a nice gesture, but cash awards are where the money is. :-)

Response by CW4 Aaron Rasmussen made Oct 28 at 2014 6:50 PM

CW4 Aaron Rasmussen — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 18:50:01 -0400

Since there are medals (in DoD) designed for civilians, why not award them if the performance or act calls for it? I participated in the process for awarding medals to many civilians in my career - all of them were medals created for civilian service. Those who received the awards really appreciated them. There were several cases where a medal and cash were awarded. I don't see any problem with that.

That said, Department of the Interior, where I work now, does not have "medals" for its employees. There are some honorary awards, but they are framed certificates, most signed by the Secretary, an agency director, or some other SES executive. We don't get many of those through the labyrinth.

I like to have as many options as possible to reward performance or actions that go beyond what is expected. Cash is fast disappearing as an option. So is time off. QSIs are almost unheard of. I don't have a lot left to work with except what I can create with PowerPoint and card stock.

A civilian's medals do not mean the same as a service member's medals. For one, the civilian will rarely receive them. The service member normally receives some sort of medal at the time of his/her PCS. I have no problem with rewarding excellence using whatever tools I'm given.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Oct 28 at 2014 7:18 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 19:18:40 -0400

Should be either/or because "military" government employees don't get both.

Response by SGT Craig Northacker made Nov 6 at 2014 9:52 AM

SGT Craig Northacker — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 09:52:10 -0500

How about gold bricks?

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2014 4:53 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Nov 2014 16:53:39 -0500

I do think that civilians should get medals. Especially those in the cyber field that are constantly defending the networks from the bad guys. It lets them know that they are appreciated and it lets those that work with them that they are experienced. The problem is that if medals are not recognized by other workers than it may not be worth much. If I see a service member with medal (especially with valor) I know that person did something worthy of merit and might even tell me the story how they earned it. I do not think civilians will start wearing these at work though unless we can make a tie tack/lapel ribbon rack, then it should be mandatory for them to wear ;)

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Mar 16 at 2015 6:24 PM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 18:24:58 -0400

Are you talking about civilian medals or military medals (only a few of which can go to civilians, such as the Bronze Star)? For example, Joseph L Galloway received the only BS with V during the RVN conflict and Joe E. Brown received a Meritorious BS in WWII for traveling 200,000 miles at his own expense to entertain troops.

Response by SCPO Morris Ramsey made Sep 3 at 2018 6:52 PM

SCPO Morris Ramsey — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 18:52:35 -0400

SGM Private RallyPoint Member Good Comments, I am not a math major, but seems like the majority votes yes!

Response by COL Mike Walton made Sep 10 at 2018 7:48 PM

COL Mike Walton — Mon, 10 Sep 2018 19:48:20 -0400

Depending on the achievement, service or project, both. They should not be limited to departing or retirement.

Response by CPL Linda B. made Sep 26 at 2019 9:42 PM

CPL Linda B. — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 21:42:40 -0400

Depends upon the level of recognition and what they did to get the award.
Some more outstanding and unusual actions of bravery and or skills would more likely be supported to have more than just an award.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Oct 4 at 2019 8:57 PM

SSgt Boyd Herrst — Fri, 04 Oct 2019 20:57:12 -0400

I s’pose when a person goes above and beyond within their career field a promotion and a nice endorsement in their jacket and a nice plaque .. I s’pose it depends upon How above and beyond they went - any monetary reward would be a pay raise they receive..

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Oct 4 at 2019 9:11 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Fri, 04 Oct 2019 21:11:53 -0400

I was an Army Civilian Employee. I was awarded two medals during my six years. It was a nice way for my boss to recognize my dedication and hard work. I was a member of the command awards board. Most civilian awards were given when employees changed jobs or retired. Usually the recommendations were well written and supported the award. I also liked the bonuses I received as a private sector employee and as a DAC. I’m pretty sure my employees liked the money best.

Both programs should remain. The awards are inexpensive but effective if managed well. Bonuses are not cheap but are always appreciated. Good supervisors know what to use to best recognize their people.

Response by SSG Tom Montgomery made Oct 7 at 2019 7:39 PM

SSG Tom Montgomery — Mon, 07 Oct 2019 19:39:47 -0400

I don't think awards are that important to spouses. Just knowing they are appreciated is usually more than what they expect. Treat your spouse as your best friend. Tell them often how important they are. Learn to leave work at work. It's hard but take it from somebody who had a top secret clearance. We had to. I think in that area we had fewer divorces than combat as. Our spouses knew that we couldn't talk about our work and supported us tremendously. There are mirriad resources available to you. Chaplains, 1SGT, CO, Red Cross, IOS and professional counselors. Let them deal with anger. Leave your loved ones out of it. They didn't cause it and weren't there. I ramble. Back to the point. Treasure your spouse. Back in my day, we used to have bar-b-q's and appreciation parties for our families. We did the cooking, decorating and cleanup. Needless to say, there would be several new family members, nine months later.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Oct 13 at 2019 10:19 PM

SSgt Boyd Herrst — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 22:19:30 -0400

For what.. malingering w/o getting caught ?

Response by SGT Keith Boettcher made Oct 23 at 2019 8:57 AM

SGT Keith Boettcher — Wed, 23 Oct 2019 08:57:17 -0400

YES!

Response by SrA Ronald Moore made Nov 9 at 2019 12:39 AM

SrA Ronald Moore — Sat, 09 Nov 2019 00:39:01 -0500

As Long As it is Actually earned

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Nov 19 at 2019 2:13 PM

SSgt Boyd Herrst — Tue, 19 Nov 2019 14:13:34 -0500

When employee goes above and beyond and gives that 125% note in their employee jacket, a nice certificate and comment on it in their performance report. .. Maybe a gift certificate for 20%
Discount At a nice establishment.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Nov 23 at 2019 11:50 PM

SSgt Boyd Herrst — Sat, 23 Nov 2019 23:50:27 -0500

I read a piece about a young man who was promoted into a job he knew he was not qualified for.., He read everything he needed to tackle to make the job work. Instead of sending underlings to get things he went himself after he found where he had to go.. After he gathered everything he laid it out and called in some assistants and worked with them to asssmble the project. He submitted it and went about seeing what else needed done in his Dept. Two days later the report was back and had been accepted.. He found attached a voucher for a bonus that would be forthcoming because he was a month early submitting his report.. His former boss was asked where he found him.. In the woodpile .. he looked like he needed something to do.. He was plugging along in a dead end clerk job . and was going around on his own gathering outgoing orders, mail, etc.,
This guy doesn’t belong in the
Mail room., so I moved him to that other position and...

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Nov 24 at 2019 12:18 AM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sun, 24 Nov 2019 00:18:54 -0500

What is this cash BS? Giving away the government’s money to people for doing their job? Why not give them Attaboys?