Should we remove awards previously earned from the awards process?

2021-06-14T23:01:15-04:00

On DA Form 638, Block 8 notes awards that a Soldier has received previously in their career. Should this be removed as the approval chain may use this information to deny or downgrade an award recommendation due to previous awards?

If not, what positive result does showing the previous awards earned have for the recommending and approving authorities?

Response by SSG Dale London made Jun 15 at 2021 4:11 PM

2021-06-15T16:11:20-04:00

In my opinion, awards should be assessed for an individual action or event -- not on an aggregate of previous achievements.
All too often awards are downgraded because the soldier has not earned many awards. Likewise the opposite also happens where a soldier's award is upgraded because he has a history of superior performance.
I think the only exception to this should be the Meritorious Service Medal which often is used to recognise a career of exemplary character -- which would of course be evinced by a slew of medals.

Response by LTC P Rickey made Apr 13 at 2022 1:50 PM

2022-04-13T13:50:57-04:00

Having sat on a command Awards Board several times, i can attest that previous awards are considered in the boards decision making process

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2022 8:25 AM

2022-08-26T08:25:33-04:00

Having the previous award box isnt supposed to be used as the determining factor of what type of award the SM should get. It should be based on the actions outlined in the bullets. If it’s a good enough write up for what’s being recommended then it should get approved. The previous award box is just used for administrative purposes. But you are 100 percent correct that it can be used against you just like your rank. It all depends on the chain of command and the approving authority. I have seen it countless times where ARCOMs got downgraded to AAMs bc the person was not an NCO and have seen great NCOs get MSMs downgraded because the BN or BDE commander didn’t want them to get the same award they would be leaving with. It’s an unfair system so I don’t think having the previous award box there makes any difference. Hopefully you don’t have toxic leadership that honors the actions of the person being recommended.