Should Soldiers be acknowledged when leaving a unit?

2015-05-18T14:36:54-04:00

I worked at the 4-100th BN for 2 1/2 years, and my last drill weekend was this past weekend. Not once was I acknowledged in formation that it was my last drill. What do you think about that? We had a brand new Soldier attending Drill and he was brought to the front of formation. If you were me, how would you have felt?

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 2:37 PM

2015-05-18T14:37:40-04:00

SFC Private RallyPoint Member at least here we give them a farewell party and an AAM, at least. That's what I've seen.

Response by SGT David T. made May 18 at 2015 2:46 PM

2015-05-18T14:46:01-04:00

I personally think it is very important. We all leave the service at some point and that honorable service should be recognized. Although, I would have preferred being ignored to the slap in the face I got. I was put in for a MSM for my 9 years of service but it ended up getting downgraded to a COA. I would have rather got nothing at all. I did tear it up and throw it in the trash which made me feel a little better lol.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 2:46 PM

2015-05-18T14:46:10-04:00

I feel your pain. When I PCS'd from my engineer unit to Germany, the company did nada.....but my friends had a few beers waiting for me

Response by SPC Charles Brown made May 18 at 2015 2:54 PM

2015-05-18T14:54:52-04:00

The unit itself may not recognize your contributions upon leaving their ranks, but if you know you did your job and did it well then IMO you should be proud of what you have done. I would much rather have a few friends offer to buy me a round than to have an entire unit have to stand there gawking at me while some well meaning officer rambles on about me. After all, how well does your COC know you personally? Just my opinion.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 3:15 PM

2015-05-18T15:15:16-04:00

I would have felt frustrated, up-set, lack of support etc... this is poor leadership if you supported the team and did your job at a minimum they should have just acknowledged that it was your last drill and that you would be missed.

Response by SPC David Hannaman made May 18 at 2015 3:27 PM

2015-05-18T15:27:53-04:00

I wouldn't take it personally but then one of my catchphrases is

"Please no applause, just throw money."

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 3:32 PM

2015-05-18T15:32:58-04:00

That is regrettable, and would never happen on my watch.
What would happen:
I would acknowledge you in formation, say a few words about your contributions and wishing you well in your future endeavors, and invite you to say something to the group, if you'd like.
I would also invite you and any others who would like to partake to the local watering hole to swap stories and toast to your success.
If feasible, you would receive an appropriate award for your service on your last day.

It is disappointing to me that we can let a Soldier go with so little fanfare.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 18 at 2015 4:04 PM

2015-05-18T16:04:30-04:00

I've mentioned this before.

I had a Gunny who had a philosophy.

At a minimum everyone should get a Letter of Appreciation. Your presence made things easier. You were either a Performer which meant you accomplished more than the average person, and made things easier on everyone else, and therefore should be recognized. Or... You weren't... and you were assigned "your fair share" of crap details, which let the Performers accomplish MORE with their time. In other words, you were a Team Player, and "constantly took one for the team" and deserve to be recognized for your efforts.

I can't fault him for his logic, and have always tried to emulate that piece of philosophy.

Response by CSM Michael Lynch made May 18 at 2015 4:19 PM

2015-05-18T16:19:32-04:00

I would have felt extremely disappointed in my leaders all the way to the TOP. That is not what you do for Soldiers that have a been a part of your team for that long and I would guess very productive or you would have moved on sooner. Even if its an acknowledgement in form of the formation it is some one showing that they care and appreciate what you did for the team while you were there.

Thank you for what you did and hopefully the next unit is better,

Response by PO2 Corey Ferretti made May 18 at 2015 4:30 PM

2015-05-18T16:30:17-04:00

I think they should it hurts a little when you leave without even a handshake. I spent almost six years at my first duty station. I did 4 deployments with them. When i transfred i did not even get a goodbye from my leadership. It kind of sucked i think part might of been we just got off deployment a month or so ago. But it felt like i left there as the red headed step child.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 5:19 PM

2015-05-18T17:19:27-04:00

I know how you feel. This happened to me when I left my first unit. The CoC that I had previously worked with while deployed had already left, my PCS award did not happen because the new BN CDR felt that my AAM from deployment was sufficient enough. I was a SPC when all this happened. I hate to say it, but it was really shitty of my unit to do that to me. Like my situation, your situation is due to poor leadership.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made May 18 at 2015 5:28 PM

2015-05-18T17:28:29-04:00

You NCO support channel and CoC failed you. I am sure you reminded them every now and then but they should be tracking that.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made May 18 at 2015 10:17 PM

2015-05-18T22:17:19-04:00

figmo

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 18 at 2015 10:21 PM

2015-05-18T22:21:47-04:00

Absolutely, however many times someone is too lazy to write up an award. I left a big NG unit I worked with for two years, and was told to write my own award. I told them no thanks.

Response by SGT Justin Lamb made May 18 at 2015 10:27 PM

2015-05-18T22:27:54-04:00

SGT,
Be the silent mentor.
I was apart of an HRS.... Won't name names... And a buddy made SSG and said thank you to everyoneeeeeee but me...really like 50+ people.. Lol I was like wtf.. My own soldier got caught up in the moment.. It happens, it sucks but you know who you are and what you did to make that unit better!

Be happy that you know that you made a impact on everyone in that unit and that your hard work and dedication has made the unit that much better! for what it's worth ide follow you in battle

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made May 18 at 2015 10:28 PM

2015-05-18T22:28:09-04:00

Not Good. That is how I would have felt. Your First Sergeant dropped the ball on this one. In my honest opinion, all Soldier departures need to be acknowledged. If you are ETSing or PCSing, a plaque or end of tour award may/might be in order. If a Soldier is being Chaptered out or going to his just rewards as the result of a Courts Martial, then the unit needs to know that as well. Soldiers leaving a unit need to be acknowledged, cut and dried.

Response by PFC Tuan Trang made May 18 at 2015 10:35 PM

2015-05-18T22:35:21-04:00

Is the wrong day for drill, I'll say. I guess you just have to deal with it.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2016 1:06 PM

2016-03-16T13:06:48-04:00

SSG Hess - I got you beat by a long shot. I spent 11 years with the 203rd MP BN. 3 years enlisted. 8 years commissioned. Deployed with them twice. (the second time I gave up a company command to deploy as the BN S4). I was always the first guy to volunteer if they needed someone to attend a school or do an additional duty. I volunteered to be the task force commander during tornado relief efforts when Tuscaloosa county got ripped to shreds in 2011. When I transferred to the reserves, I got the same treatment. No award, no acknowledgment of 11 years faithful service, nothing. And to add insult to injury, they "lost" my medical records and it took me 8 months to find them. And they dragged their heals so long on cutting my transfer orders that I just happened to miss the O4 board deadline by 3 days, making me wait another year to get promoted to MAJ.