What awards are appropiate to give for retirement?

I don't know. All I can comment on is what I got after 21 years. MSA from Commander Naval Security Group. LOA from the President (I would hope so since I retired on His Flagship USS Arkansas CGN-41) and a Shadow Box from my Division that was awesome. The Signalmen Provided a flag that was documented to have flown over the ship when we crossed the Date Line at the Equator and when I became a Shellback. I think that was Adequate.

I'd hang a lot of asterisks on this, but I think your start point for a retirement award is typically an MSM. You would adjust upwards or down based upon the Soldier's length of service and accomplishments.

Some research would need to be done for your friend. I see no reason why he should be denied an award, unless he was flagged, especially for retirement. As far as retirement goes, I think a minimum of an MSM is appropriate with it going higher dependent on rank, stature and what was accomplished.

We had a 1SGT who was universally despised because of, well, him. As a parting present we painted a brick gold and put it on his desk as a momento of his tenure. Funny thing was. he took it as a compliment. I wonder if he has it on his mantle now?

It's been over 20 years since I worked at the Fort Sill Retirement Services Office. Our Office prepared the retirement certificates for every retiring soldier that out processed through our transition point. Every soldier was given the option to participate in the monthly retirement ceremony hosted by the CG with him presenting the certificate and a photographer snapped photos of each presentation (and I assume the soldier received a copy).

Awards were the responsibility of the losing unit and should have been based on the entire service record. The unit was responsible for the award ceremony. The minimum I saw for a SM was an MSM, but most received a LOM.

At the garrison level, we did not present flags back then. This custom may have changed since I left.

Wow, the service member if being honorably discharged clearly because they are retiring should have to the least received an MSM, for their time in service and their leadership. Why weren't they given a flag is really beyond me. There has to be more to this story that's being told.

I was an admin NCO and made it a point to have transition awards highlighted for the chain of command to see. It would also highlight the failure to recommend such awards, so bring up the question 90 days out as to why the individual was not being recommended. One purpose this served was in the monthly training meetings, we could discuss whether an individual indeed merited a transition award (i.e. Retirement, PCS, ETS) and then, secondly, we could identify the individual whom was responsible for writing that award.
I provided templates and would be available at any time to work on getting awards up to standard -- the goal we had was getting awards approved after all. My Battalion got to a point where we were over 85% approvals on MSM and LOM for retirement awards. This comes from hard work and planning ahead.

Interestingly enough, when I retired myself, I did not receive an award from my unit in spite of an e-mail from the State SGM to the chain of command prompting them. Perhaps efficiency also has its price. I have more than enough awards -- you can see I look rather like a Mexican General in my photo, so am not complaining about that.

Retirement from the military is almost entirely ceremonial. In fact, the service member is not actually retiring after 20 years, but is transferred to the inactive reserve force for another 10 years. Retirement ceremonies are normally held at the end of a 20 year career, and gifts are bestowed by the military members comrades. Normally a shadow box,containing the members awards is presented,as well as any additional gifts such as replica anchors, cannons, swords, etc. In the end, it pays to be a strong team member of a unit, for proper, cordial, recognition.

I received a LOA when I retired, because my unit was deployed and I was medically retired due to injuries suffer on a deployment that had gotten worse over time, even though I did volunteer to go to Kuwait for 3 months to help 4ID redeploy back stateside after their tour was extended with those same injuries. I was asst Command Financial Advisor for the Battalion, Driver Trainer, Squad Leader. I served for 14 yrs in many different units and Joint Assignments and because someone didn't want to take the time to write my Award, I received a LOA for my service. I have many awards so I didn't even care, even rear Detachment commander was very surprised at the award I recieved, but, I think I was considered a POS because I couldn't deploy. Trust me I didn't want to Retire and I much rather have deployed and did 20yrs.

My Guard unit had a presentation planned for me, it was scheduled after my MRD and for some reason I was not told about it. I had to travel 400 miles for drill, however I would have come down for it; had I known about it! They mailed me the plaque! I got an MSM; that came about 6 months later, again got mailed; no ceremony.. Admittedly harder in reserve components since everyone is part time. I think most cases has nothing to do with merit; just poor planning, although some service members may not want the fanfare!