What awards are appropiate to give for retirement?

1. Retirement award is not mandatory, neither are the parades unless someone pushes. I never got a flag either when I retired. A clean record does not mean an exemplary record of service either. Someone has to appreciate what you have done in your career to push for the awards, parade, etc.

I only received an MSM, was disappointed due to officer who wrote it, was not enough for Legion of merit. I was upset, When a Chaplains assistant received a Legion of Merit. I went above and beyond and accomplished so much in my 22 years. I was a MSG in Food Service and would have been on the SGM list, but decided to retire due to disabilities. If I knew I could upgrade some how, I would put in request.

a $10.000 dollar tax free bonus!

Great topic! I think that this is a double edged sword. Reality is once a Soldier has retired civilian employers do not know the difference between an ARCOM and a LOM. It could be said that since Soldiers are retiring that leadership should attempt to get them the highest award possible. They should "fight the good fight" with higher echelons, recommended down grades and do everything in their power to get retiring Soldiers no less than an MSM. This is the Soldiers lasting impression of the service that he or she has devoted the past twenty years to! But if the Soldier has done the bare minimum for twenty years, "kept out of trouble" but had nothing more than a mediocre career is it really the leaderships responsibility?
What is the value of certain awards if everyone gets them? It is like the "everyone gets a ribbon for participating in the science fair" concept. If everyone gets one, why bother "exceeding the standard"? Awards should be given on a case by case scenario. I don't believe that rank should be a determining factor. I have watched a LTC, SGM and a SFC all receive MSM's for their retirement awards. Going off a comment below that "the only two appropriate awards are MSM's and LOM's" Unfortunately this notion fosters a "sense of entitlement" I would have to assume that the contributions, leadership and responsibilities of Soldiers of all ranks are equal?

You should get an MSM at retirement. Just my opinion

How about walking out the gate knowing you did the best job you could do for the past 20 years? The best award I got when I retired was one of the PFCs in the company coming up to me in the parking lot and shaking my hand and thanking me for looking out for him. He didn't have to do that.

I feel that all retiring military members should get a flag, certificates of appreciation from their BDE, and if all of their service was honorable, COAs from Secretary of their service and if 30 years Active Federal Service, one from the President. If all years served were honorable, they should get at least a MSM. MSMs are typically the standard. Some higher ranking, say LTC and above may get LOM. I am a captain that served 30 years, 22 of which was active duty, served 4 deployments (Desert Storm I, Afghanistan, and 2 in Kosovo) and one Noble Eagle mobilization. I received a flag, certificates for myself and my wife (Secretary of the Army, President Obama (BDE HQ S-1 requested these including the flag), and past President Bush (I requested this myself on his website), and a MSM (my XO/supervisor wrote and submitted to BDE S-1). I opted to not have a ceremony or party. My supervisor had planned on making me a shadow box with all of my awards, etc in it, but she received a short notice deployment and was unable to complete. I hope this helps. I agree that 20 years of honorable service should get more than a ARCOM and that would be a slap in the face and I would rather get nothing than receive one. I received an ARCOM as a PL for a 39 day mobilization to secure the 2002 Winter Olympics. CPT David C. Tanner, USA, Retired

I am not sure what is deemed appropriate or inappropriate but although I received a Bronze Star in 2004 for actions in Iraq, and after twenty-five years of service as both an enlisted and commissioned officer, I only received the retirement certificate without any award.

If you have to ask for what award you want or think you deserve then you shouldn't get one. As a senior enlisted advisor I always made sure my Marines and Sailors was taken care of and they never ask if or what award they were going to receive...

The Army should send you off with ruffles and flourishes, in that you will be once again the voting public. We as a force are remiss when we don't recognize such volunteer spirit. After all, it is paper and pieces of cloth that mean a whole hell of a lot more than the ink printed on paper. When you slight someone for real or perceived reasons, that slight is carried for ever. Your DD214 is what matters in the end, however, nothing precludes the Army from sending you off in a good direction. Frankly, there are not many participants in today's Army than there were 70 years ago when numbers were in the millions. It is a privilege to serve, yet is it more of a privilege to lead and take care of those soldiers. We don't increase the value of an award or accolade especially by severe denial. Military badges and awards are a means to display outwardly the highlights of service. Wars, campaigns and expedition medals really only have value to and amongst the military (except on your DD214 which means something to the VA and benefits). While in uniform, one does where their resume on the chest and it is recognized as such. Or, we get rid of end-of-tour awards all together and shelve those accolades for simply showing up. Such as Army Service, Sea Duty, overseas duty, professional development, marksmanship, good conduct, &c. Unfortunately, the services are inconsistent awarding achievement: what truly stands out amongst others. Napoleon Bonaparte said "A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon." And another maxim resonates just as much: "Give me enough medals and I will win you a war..." not to trivialize military service, but inspire and recognize what soldiers truly desire. Part of that is recognition amongst their peers. He went on to say, “A man does not have himself killed for a half-pence a day or for a petty distinction."