Posted on Dec 8, 2019
What do you think about getting AAM as PCS award?
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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?
PCS
Unit Awards
Awards
Team Leader
Edited 6 y ago
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 18
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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.
I wish i had learned this 20 years ago.
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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.
Without knowing actions and more information, I can’t provide any further opinion.
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Many gave far more and got much less. Be thankful for any deserved recognition.
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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.
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.
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SGT (Join to see)
Thank you SFC. That's a decent answer. What if the soldier has served at BDE level? Does it mean they will more than likely get ARCOM because their work impact BDE?
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SFC (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) it certainly can mean that, but it's not an automatic yes to that question. For instance, a SPC working in the BDE S1, have they really made an impact on the BDE as a whole, or did they just do their job? The reason ranks are so often tied to award levels is because of the level of responsibility that usually goes with it. For instance, if you're a SPC in a BDE S4 or PBO, how likely is it that you implemented a program, or highlighted and corrected numerous deficiencies that affected the BDE? But then take a SSG or SFC on the S4 at a BN who implements a policy in their BN that is layer adopted by the BDE as the SOP for the other battalions. That is someone who has had an impact at the BDE level, and that is a very common accomplishment found on awards and NCOERs.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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SGT (Join to see)
Thank you. The problem is, the soldier did not get recognized for good performance he did at the time. I agree with what you said. Yes if you already get recognized before, there is no need for a double kill.
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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
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1LT (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see)
Most Army dentists complete their service obligation and get out. This particular dentist went into private practice with his father. Unfortunately, we lost contact.
Most Army dentists complete their service obligation and get out. This particular dentist went into private practice with his father. Unfortunately, we lost contact.
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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.
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.
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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
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