Posted on Mar 17, 2016
SFC Senior Technical Trainer
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1SG S3 Operations Ncoic
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4 bronze OLC plus the ribbon is 5. A silver OLC is for 6 ARCOMS.
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SFC Senior Technical Trainer
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Thanks Top!
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1SG S3 Operations Ncoic
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SFC (Join to see) - No problem. Remember AAM, ARCOM the ribbon always counts as 1.
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SFC Senior Technical Trainer
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You're not understanding the question though, which is my fault, it's but the wording on the DA 638 for the award.
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1SG S3 Operations Ncoic
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SFC (Join to see) - I realized that after I read it again. I commented further down once I figured out what you meant.
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1SG Civil Affairs Specialist
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One Silver OLC counts as five awards and the ribbon for one more or six in all.
There was confusion on this?
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MSG Instructor/Writer
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New Army..
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SFC Joseph McCausland
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Why not just give the SM a Meritorious Service Medal...
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SFC Military Police
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Do you all not understand scope of responsibility? How did that SSG's actions impact the brigade level or higher? SSG is usually in charge of what, 12 soldiers max? It's not the rank but the scope of responsibility and the impact to the higher level commands.
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SFC Francisco Rosario
SFC Francisco Rosario
>1 y
SFC (Join to see) -
I understand your point, however rank does come to play in many awards. This is very unfortunate because the regs don't have any criteria for the award based on rank. I have seen many of SFCs get an MSM primarily due to their rank, the overall impact on the organization had little to do with the award.
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SFC Military Police
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...and I've also see Company Commanders leave with ARCOMs. I'm not saying there aren't some like that however, that's on the individual Leadership (or lack there of).
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SGT Team Chief
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He isn’t a senior nco or an officer
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SM is being recommended for an ARCOM which he currently has 5 x ARCOMS. Do you place w/ 5OLC or 1SLC? This came up today as a question.
SFC Exhibitor
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Correct the 6th award will be slc
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1SG Jack Crutcher
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Hopefully he will get promoted soon, with all those awards he must be doing something right.
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SGT Javier Mendoza
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He can get 10 ARCOMS and he will not be recommended for an MSM. Only SFC get those regardless of doing anything special or not. That's what I saw when I was in.
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SFC Senior Technical Trainer
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You're not understanding the question, it's not about getting an award, but the wording on the DA 638 for the award.
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SGT Javier Mendoza
SGT Javier Mendoza
>1 y
I clearly understand the question, I just did not bother addressing it. Because regardless of his deed, performance or sacrifice, he will not get an MSM because he is not a SFC or above.

Seen first sergeants get together to fly in to Iraq for BS, only to recommend each other for MSMs and get it, get it?
that's my point. Keep leading and be safe!!!
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1SG First Sergeant
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According to the regulation, rank is not a factor but the achievement and the level of responsibility is. Awards are very subjective. However, one cannot compare the level of responsibility of a SGT (E-5), versus a Fist Sergeant. Again, level of responsibility has a lot of weight. I have seen E-6s get MSMs.
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SFC Infantryman
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I received a Defenses Meritorious Service Medal for time in Afghanistan with CDO-SOAG, and a MSM for service with Special Operations Detachment Korea. I was an E6 at the time, so I know it happens.
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MSG Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic)
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Edited >1 y ago
There is no such thing as 5OLC unless you are referring to the write up on the DA Form 638. Maximum is four OLC device allowed displayed on a ribbon.

One silver OLC equates to five subsequent awards and the ribbon makes it six awards. Hope this helps.
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SFC Senior Technical Trainer
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The DA 638 is what I was referring too. Thanks for the information
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SFC Healthcare Nco
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Once he recieves his 6th Arcom SM is authorized 1SLC. A silver Oak Leaf Cluster is worn instead of five Bronze Oak Leafs.
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SFC Senior Technical Trainer
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So on the DA 638 one puts 1SLC?
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SFC Healthcare Nco
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Roger in the recommended you would put the next award info they so in this case put Arcom 1SLC.
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1SG S3 Operations Ncoic
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SFC (Join to see) - I believe it would be 5th OLC on the write up and a SOLC on the ARCOM. OLC is Oak Leaf Cluster. In the write up it doesn't say bronze oak leaf cluster. So it is an ARCOM 5 OLC.
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SFC Healthcare Nco
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1SG (Join to see) - Yes you are correct on the 638 you enter 5OLC but wear 1SLC on the uniform upon approval. I should have been clear to the SM before I input thanks for catching that 1SG.
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SFC A.M. Drake
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1SLC I believe
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SFC Paul Garza
SFC Paul Garza
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if you are referring to the actual 638, I would recommend 5 OLC for processing. The regulation gives clear guidance on how to wear the award on your uniform but when it comes to filling out the 638, there is not specific guidance on how to address multiple awards. Unless there is a policy letter in place that states other wise, I think that 5 OLC would be the way to go.

I process awards all the time. Currently we are processing EOT Awards. All awards that have been submitted have been submitted as 5 OLC or 6 OLC in the interest of processing and simplicity. I have found nothing in 600-8-22 that specifically states the exact way you need to submit that information on the 638.

Hope this helps.
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SFC A.M. Drake
SFC A.M. Drake
>1 y
SSG Garza,

Good stuff I have a couple of questions I want to ask you via email and I will send it this morning. What's your first name?
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SFC Paul Garza
SFC Paul Garza
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[login to see]
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SFC A.M. Drake
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SPC Food Service Specialist
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I met a guy once that had 4 arcoms and his commander had 3 bronze stars and 3 silver stars. Explain that to me.
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SFC Senior Technical Trainer
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Depends on who his commander was...
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1SG S3 Operations Ncoic
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On the DA Form 638 it would be ARCOM, 5 OLC. OLC doesn't represent bronze or silver, just a Oak Leaf Cluster. You do not specify on the form a Silver OLC or Bronze OLC only the number of total OLC. The award itself would get the Silver OLC. If the SM gets a seventh ARCOM you wouldn't write 1 SOLC AND 1 BOLC. It would just be 6 OLC. and they would wear one silver and one bronze. It gets tricky when you get to 10.
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SSG Daniel Deiler
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1 SLC
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
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A silver oak leaf (or star in case of Navy/Marines) is worn in lieu of 4 bronze oak leafs.

Keep in mind that you may only wear 4 accoutrements on a ribbon however which can create some "weird" issues however if you have other devices like V's, or higher numbers of awards.

So as an example, you will go:

Ribbon = 1, Ribbon + OLC = 2, Ribbon +2OLC = 3, Ribbon + 4OLC = 5, Ribbon + Silver OLC = 6.

however 2xRibbon with V + 3 = 5 (because you can't wear 5 devices on a single Ribbon). You end up wearing second ribbon.
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SFC Water Treatment Specialist
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That's only if you have 10 awards when you wear 2nd ribbon
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
>1 y
SFC (Join to see) - It's any time that you would go over 4 apertures. A V can result in that at 5 (5th Award plus V) because you would need 1 aperture for the V, and 4 Bronze OLC. You can't wear them all on the same ribbon, therefore 2 ribbons, V device and 3 Bronze OLC.

It's the same concept as 10, but the V makes it happen sooner.
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SSG Leo Bell
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1SLC
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CSM Charles Hayden
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SFC (Join to see) I am in disbelief! The Army system now gives awards rather than promotion and responsibility? Something is wrong in the cited scenario!
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SFC Senior Technical Trainer
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Que? You lost me
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CSM Charles Hayden
CSM Charles Hayden
>1 y
Nowadays medals are passed out for doing a good job? Isn't good performance expected - or bust the person for non-performance! Why not promote the person/even "Acting Jacks- Corporal/Sgts), and assign them greater responsibilities? Medals do not spend, teach or fairly reward outstanding performance!
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SPC Tim McKenzie
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101st has a blatantly discriminatory awards policy. Why not award what is earned? This goes back to the '80s when I was there.
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SFC Senior Technical Trainer
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I'm thinking you missed the point of the question
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SFC Automated Logistical Specialist
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I was in the 101st 1991-95 when it comes to awards blatant discrimination comes to no surprise
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CSM Division Ops Sgm
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It will be a bronze OLC (4).
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SFC Senior Technical Trainer
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Sorry...wrong answer, You're not understanding the question, it's not about getting an award, but the wording on the DA 638 for the award.
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SGM Steve Wettstein
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Edited >1 y ago
You add a silver leaf cluster which represents a sixth award.
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SGT Human Resources Specialist
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Depending on routing I know 43rd ag bn wants it as 5 OLC. Depends on COC
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SFC Paul Garza
SFC Paul Garza
>1 y
I agree... I think it really depends on what your command wants to say is the standard.

Some units/organizations will blanket awards for multiple personnel to make things easy. I know that I have been in several units and they all had their own spin on how they wanted to process things.
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SFC Observer   Controller/Trainer (Oc/T)
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AR600-8-22 clearly states "OLC"(Oak Leaf Cluster) with what ever numeral in front of it to be placed on the DAForm 638. Nowhere does it state "SLC" (Silver Leaf Cluster).
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SFC Senior Technical Trainer
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SSG Daniel Deiler - No I'm taking about the form itself.
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SFC Observer   Controller/Trainer (Oc/T)
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Table 3-5 page 54
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SFC Senior Technical Trainer
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SFC (Join to see) - Thank you, never to old to learn something new
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SSG Daniel Deiler
SSG Daniel Deiler
>1 y
I made an assumption since the form is automated.
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