What do you think about getting AAM as PCS award?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 01:38:38 -0500

I have a question about soldier's PCS award. I understand award is not an entitlement and shouldn't be based on rank according to AR 600-8-22. What do you think about soldier only getting AAM for over 3 years of dedicated service as PCS award? The reason I question this is that, I have seen many being awarded AAM for one single field exercise, winning one board or doing one change of command. If someone has never been recognized for good performance/achievements in the past at all, will it make sense for the soldier to get ARCOM at PCS time? Or simply it is what it is?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2019 1:47 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 01:47:36 -0500

I believe an award should always be based on the actions of the soldier. If a soldier earns an AAM, they’ve earned an AAM. If they’ve earned a LOM, then they deserve the LOM. Dedicated service alone isn’t deserving of any award in my opinion. Actions while performing dedicated service are worth an award.

Without knowing actions and more information, I can’t provide any further opinion.

Response by SSG Dale London made Dec 8 at 2019 5:02 AM

SSG Dale London — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 05:02:27 -0500

It's true that awards are not to be based on rank, but the awards themselves are at least partially based on the impact of a soldier's actions. The higher in rank a soldier is, the more likely it is that his/her actions will have a wider impact, warranting greater recognition.
It is by no means impossible for a slick-sleeved private to do something so impactful that it warrants a Legin of Merit, but the likelihood increases geometrically the higher in rank the soldier is.
If this soldier you speak of has done more than just a really good job, that its to say, if they have had a wider impact than just at unit level, then yes, the AAM may be too low-level an award. But in any case, it's the awarding aythority's call. They can upgrade or downgrade award recommendations they receive and process.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2019 5:17 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 05:17:46 -0500

I’ve seen a CPT who was a brigade dentist (the only one in the brigade) leave the Army with an AAM after 4 years of service and multiple field exercises

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Dec 8 at 2019 6:18 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 06:18:22 -0500

It clearly depends on the actions of the Soldier, did they do their job, was there performance above their peers, did they excel? Everything is in the equation, duties, PT, weapons quals, initiative, professionalism, off duty conduct etc. you should be able to answer the question. Thank you for your service.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2019 7:58 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 07:58:20 -0500

I got a PCS ARCOM for 4 years that included 2 months in Egypt and a year in Kuwait.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Dec 8 at 2019 7:58 AM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 07:58:59 -0500

Well, ho was the SM’s performance during his/her tour? Just simply did his/her job or was a gun ho/superb go getter?

During my first company command I had a stellar SSG who for her PCS award I recommended (and got approved) a MSM. Had some from BN opposing it but I stand for it and very well documented .

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2019 8:01 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 08:01:20 -0500

Awards are nice to get but eventually your family will throw them away. Don't dwell on negative thoughts. Be happy the the AAM and your life.

I wish i had learned this 20 years ago.

Response by SGT John Griep made Dec 8 at 2019 8:12 AM

SGT John Griep — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 08:12:36 -0500

I was in a long time ago, but that being said, I do not think it should be any different. My first duty assignment was in Germany, I was there for 3 1/2 years. During my time there I received ed an ARCOM and an AAM, one was from my u it and one was from my Corp Commander LT Gen Colin Powell, some might remember him. How ever when I PCS'd I recieved a Certificate of Achievement. I was not pissed what so ever, others said I got screwed, how ever I looked at it like this, I got my awards for the actions I did at the time, to award me another award for the awards I already received, really sounds like over kill. If you are an average soldier, I would not expect anything more than a certificate or letter. If you did something outstanding, your superiors would have recommended you for an award when that action took place. Soldier thinking they should get ribbons for doing a good job is crazy, we should all do a good job while we are serving, if you did something outstanding, and you think you got screwed, that is on your chain of command not you.

Response by SGT Kenneth Partyka made Dec 8 at 2019 8:20 AM

SGT Kenneth Partyka — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 08:20:47 -0500

I wrote up many recommendations for PCS awards for my platoon. I was the PSG so it was pretty much me and the LT who discussed it. Some got AAMs and some got ARCOMs. All depended on what they did while in. The guys that trained the Tankers, went out with GSR on the US/Mexico Border, Trained the FBI drug Task Force...got ARCOMs, the guys that just "did their time" got AAMs.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2019 8:54 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 08:54:11 -0500

Many gave far more and got much less. Be thankful for any deserved recognition.

Response by SPC Dennis Kregel made Dec 8 at 2019 1:38 PM

SPC Dennis Kregel — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 13:38:10 -0500

I wasn't under the impression that merely PCSing to a new duty station was an award able action. Is this question a suggestion that meeting the expectations of your MOS and the Army values is worthy of an award? This would almost be bringing the civilian world's terrible tradition of awarding participation trophies.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2019 2:00 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 14:00:29 -0500

Awards are awarded by the level you have an effect on. An AAM is awarded by the Battalion Commander, so receiving an AAM is saying that you had a Battalion level effect. ARCOMs are Brigade level and MSMs are Division level.
I would say it's very normal for a SGT to have an effect on the Battalion level and unusual for their role and responsibility to have an effect on the Brigade level. Unless that person was the S4 NCOIC, then yes they probably had an effect at the BDE level. Just because a Soldier did their job really, really well, doesn't mean they had an effect at the BDE level and deserve an ARCOM.

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Dec 8 at 2019 5:05 PM

MAJ Raúl Rovira — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 17:05:34 -0500

Story 1, I once had an SFC put in for an ARCOM as a PCS award. I was the new Garrison HHC Company Commander in Pisa. I had the Provost Marshal OIC and NCOIC sit with the Garrison Commander to explain why the SFC deserves an MSM. The GC approved the MSM and told me, thank you for having them speak with me, I now fully understand from them what the 638 can't tell.

Story 2, after 33 months of command, It was time for me to PCS. I was also dual hated as the HR Director for the entire base in Pisa. The new Garrison Commander felt I deserved an ARCOM. His story, I got an ARCOM as a company commander so I don't think captains in command should get MSMs. My internal monologue has some colorful words as I heard this from him. I swallowed the pill as I have no choice.

For one, an advocate can help with the awards process. Sometimes the commander has his/her mindset on what they want. In the end, it is the commander's program. Fair or not fair, something is better than nothing.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2019 5:32 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 17:32:34 -0500

Did the soldier do anything above and beyond? If not, then no. I saw people leave Army from 18 ABC with a damn AAM. Not that serious. Plus, what did that Soldier do to deserve ARCOM? Read the regulation on these awards, their definitions, and use previous examples from the unit to decide if it is appropriate

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2019 7:40 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 19:40:37 -0500

I believe there is nothing that requires a soldier receive a PCS award

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2019 8:11 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Dec 2019 08:11:09 -0500

Your question “What do you think about a Soldier only getting AAM after 3 years of dedicated service as a PCS award?”
Was answered in your preceding sentence i.e. awards are not an entitlement.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Dec 9 at 2019 12:38 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Mon, 09 Dec 2019 12:38:25 -0500

If that is what the COC thinks they deserve, then that's fine. At least they recognized the Soldier for their service to the unit.

Response by MSG Hector Ramos made Jan 21 at 2020 9:32 PM

MSG Hector Ramos — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 21:32:45 -0500

Awards are been given for less, just picking Pc of trash, it happens in Germany. On today’s Army, even the CIB as many other Awards are being miss use or (prostitute) Soldies without been in a fire fight are been awarded that Infantry Combat Badge, ???. MSG HRamos, Puerto Rico, USA(Ret).