Posted on May 31, 2022
When I retired, my squadron was in between splitting into two sections and nothing much was done for Retirees. How can I get an MSM?
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I never got the Recognition for 24 years of service n I’d like to get an MSM award retroactive for my dedication to the USAF. How or who can authorize an MSM Award?
Posted in these groups: 
Retirement
Awards
Retirement Awards
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
That's not how this works. That's not how any of this works. Retirement, PCS and ETS awards, according to the Army, are not automatic. The Air Force probably has the same thing going on.
If you went thru a retirement ceremony but never received an award for retirement, then your last command is at the core of this. Depending on WHEN you retired, no one you served with may even be in the unit....and possibly retired as well.
For the Army, the approving authority for an MSM is the first General Officer within the Chain of Command. The AF may have the same rules but you should look into the AFI for awards.
Also, there is no way you could write up your own retroactive retirement award and submit it for approval. That dog just won't hunt. That dog wouldn't even be able to get off the porch.
If you went thru a retirement ceremony but never received an award for retirement, then your last command is at the core of this. Depending on WHEN you retired, no one you served with may even be in the unit....and possibly retired as well.
For the Army, the approving authority for an MSM is the first General Officer within the Chain of Command. The AF may have the same rules but you should look into the AFI for awards.
Also, there is no way you could write up your own retroactive retirement award and submit it for approval. That dog just won't hunt. That dog wouldn't even be able to get off the porch.
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LTC (Join to see)
This is different than an upgrade of a combat award from a bronze star to Silver Star two distinguished service cross? In the past they race them for African-Americans and minorities who were ripped off in the Korean War and World War II. Would this be a presidential commission or the Pentagon review? I haven't followed how those were upgraded over the years? I know it's unrelated to this person wanting a meritorious service medal. I put mine in 6 months before I retired and it had to be edited by my G3 a couple times before the general would sign it. Thank you for letting us know what the procedure is
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SFC Kelly Fuerhoff
LTC (Join to see) - But they had awards upgraded - as in they had received some award. He got no award so there's nothing to upgrade or reconsider. They have a time limit too:
3.18. Time Limitation. Recommendations (except the Purple Heart) are entered into official channels within 3 years and awarded within 5 years of the act, achievement, or service performed. (T-0).
3.18. Time Limitation. Recommendations (except the Purple Heart) are entered into official channels within 3 years and awarded within 5 years of the act, achievement, or service performed. (T-0).
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LTC (Join to see)
SFC Kelly Fuerhoff
Yes, this was a total different topic. I just wanted to know for my own knowledge. I don't have a combat award but I was just trying to figure out who is the adjudicating authority would be other than let's say the president of the United States who commissions of panel to review cases?
Yes, this was a total different topic. I just wanted to know for my own knowledge. I don't have a combat award but I was just trying to figure out who is the adjudicating authority would be other than let's say the president of the United States who commissions of panel to review cases?
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MSG (Join to see)
LTC (Join to see) - Normally, it is the SECDEF for reviewing/approving retroactive awards/badges. I'm paraphrasing/thinking, that is. I'd have to dig into 600-8-22 for detailed clarification.
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No one is entitled to an award.
The only thing I can find in the AFI about awards is requesting a reconsideration or upgrade of a decoration but, since you never got one, there's nothing to reconsider or upgrade. You should have brought it up before you retired.
3.15. Request Reconsideration or Upgrade of a Decoration.
3.15.1. Requests for reconsideration of a previously disapproved or downgraded decoration,
or upgrade of a previously approved decoration must be placed in official channels within 1
year of the awarding authority’s decision. (T-0). Follow the submission procedures in
paragraphs A9.3 and 3.31; and see checklist at Table 3.1.
The only thing I can find in the AFI about awards is requesting a reconsideration or upgrade of a decoration but, since you never got one, there's nothing to reconsider or upgrade. You should have brought it up before you retired.
3.15. Request Reconsideration or Upgrade of a Decoration.
3.15.1. Requests for reconsideration of a previously disapproved or downgraded decoration,
or upgrade of a previously approved decoration must be placed in official channels within 1
year of the awarding authority’s decision. (T-0). Follow the submission procedures in
paragraphs A9.3 and 3.31; and see checklist at Table 3.1.
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MSG (Join to see)
MSgt Robert Brengle - You were recommended for an MSM but the approving authority determined the recommended award was not warranted and downgraded. And now you want that downgrade upgraded? Yea, that isn't gonna happen. That is...the odds of it being moved back up to an MSM are so slim that Reagan has a better chance of being elected to a 3rd Presidential term
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Did you get ANY award? Or did you receive a Commendation Medal and just don't like it?
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MSG (Join to see)
Thinking the OP feels the given award that was downgraded was not right and should have been given an MSM.
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SFC Michael Hasbun
MSG (Join to see) - Hell, I feel like my MSM should have been an LOM, but awards don't run on feelings... /SHRUG
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MSG (Join to see)
SFC Michael Hasbun - Hell, it only took me 3-4 units (two of which I was the Detachment Sergeant) and 2 deployments to finally get my 1st MSM out of 3 attempts.
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