What are your thoughts on award quotas?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 21:57:11 -0500

I've always thought award quotas were stupid and just reeked of people not wanting to do the paperwork or go through the process.

I don't think awards should be handed out like candy, but if soldiers are deserving then they should be recognized.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2014 10:44 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 22:44:07 -0500

Of course you are correct, award quotas are stupid.

I can't say enough about people denying stuff based on no reason at all.

Yet I've watched worthless staff members get awards immediately with no hesitation.

Sadly, it's often about what your position is and not how good of a job you have done. I was told straight up as the 1SG no one under the rank of SFC was getting a BSM on my last deployment from my company.

And they still rejected most of the BSMs. Only two people in my company of 80 some got a BSM.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Jun 27 at 2014 9:40 AM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 09:40:56 -0400

Disapproved!

Response by SPC Stephen Bobchin made Aug 22 at 2014 1:41 AM

SPC Stephen Bobchin — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 01:41:44 -0400

Those exist?

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2014 9:56 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Aug 2014 09:56:14 -0400

I've never heard of such an animal; however, the practice of limiting the level of award based on rank is one that really gets under my skin

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2015 2:32 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 14:32:39 -0500

I honestly did not know there was such a thing; now it all makes sense. Wow. that truly is horrible.

Response by CPT Bob Moore made Apr 20 at 2015 11:16 PM

CPT Bob Moore — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 23:16:01 -0400

I've seen limits on awards, such as no more than 5% of the unit can get BSMs for service at the end of a tour in Iraq or Afghanistan, if that is what you mean. Yes, I think it is wrong.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Apr 25 at 2015 2:03 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 14:03:36 -0400

I have been in units that have had award quotas and limits. This is not as uncommon as many would think.

Response by CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret) made Sep 8 at 2015 9:09 PM

CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret) — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 21:09:32 -0400

Award quotas should not exist. Period. Conversely, awards should not be given out due to popularity.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2018 11:28 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 11:28:27 -0400

I lost respect for the Army award system after my second combat tour. I saw people who never left the FOB earn BSM's while I saw soldiers who engaged bad guys while outnumbered overcome and kill them, only to be denied an award because they were below the rank of SGT
AND , later that year, I learned of a female who was awarded a Silver Star for doing less than my guys did. So politics is DEFINITELY in play. Just take care of your own guys the best you can.