Posted on Jul 2, 2021
What factors do you consider when recommending your Soldiers for an award?
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As a Team Leader or Squad Leader what do you consider when recommending your Soldiers for an award? Do you base it on an individual impact? Or for overall duration? Or both?
When taking over as the new TL or SL for a group of Soldiers, do you consider length of time that you are their supervisor or do you consider the work they did before you got there? Do you consider awards they have received previously or only the acts that you are witness to?
How do you factor in to balancing what they deserve such as a Certificate of Achievement versus an Achievement Medal versus a Commendation Medal?
I ask all this because it seems to differ from unit to unit and from leader to leader and I'm curious in the variety of answers and leadership styles.
When taking over as the new TL or SL for a group of Soldiers, do you consider length of time that you are their supervisor or do you consider the work they did before you got there? Do you consider awards they have received previously or only the acts that you are witness to?
How do you factor in to balancing what they deserve such as a Certificate of Achievement versus an Achievement Medal versus a Commendation Medal?
I ask all this because it seems to differ from unit to unit and from leader to leader and I'm curious in the variety of answers and leadership styles.
Awards
Team Leader
Squad Leader
Leadership Development
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 24
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Here is how awards broke down for me when I was on a Command Team. This was my subconscious thought process when recommending someone for an award.
Coin:
If you did something so awesome I think you should be recognized, even though these things cost me money, you are getting a coin. If it was uber amazing, an AAM too. Since coins came out of my pocket, they are higher in precedence than awards to me.
Army Achievement Medal/ARCOM:
If I think you did something awesome and probably need points, you're getting an AAM. They only cost me the time to write up an award, it doesn't affect my wallet. For an ARCOM, we're talking things SOY/NCOY boards, earning Audie Murphy, saving someone's life (with no risk to yourself), something pretty damned amazing.
Certificate of Achievement:
If you're seeing one of these, either someone downgraded the AAM for some reason, you did something noteworthy but not that out of the ordinary, or you're external to the unit and I have to give you one of these for PR/political reasons.
Certificate of Appreciation:
Usually for civilians/spouses. If you get one of these from me as a Soldier, you are likely a turd that is PCS'ing and the command mandated that you get an award despite your performance. This was all my conscience would allow me to give you without cheapening the awards system.
Coin:
If you did something so awesome I think you should be recognized, even though these things cost me money, you are getting a coin. If it was uber amazing, an AAM too. Since coins came out of my pocket, they are higher in precedence than awards to me.
Army Achievement Medal/ARCOM:
If I think you did something awesome and probably need points, you're getting an AAM. They only cost me the time to write up an award, it doesn't affect my wallet. For an ARCOM, we're talking things SOY/NCOY boards, earning Audie Murphy, saving someone's life (with no risk to yourself), something pretty damned amazing.
Certificate of Achievement:
If you're seeing one of these, either someone downgraded the AAM for some reason, you did something noteworthy but not that out of the ordinary, or you're external to the unit and I have to give you one of these for PR/political reasons.
Certificate of Appreciation:
Usually for civilians/spouses. If you get one of these from me as a Soldier, you are likely a turd that is PCS'ing and the command mandated that you get an award despite your performance. This was all my conscience would allow me to give you without cheapening the awards system.
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I've never seen a coin below Company Commander and even he had to pay for it himself, that certainly would be costly.
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SFC Michael Hasbun
SPC (Join to see) - Yes....yes it is.... But many moons ago I was in a unit that gave out awards based on rank instead of accomplishment (this was in Iraq). So to show my Soldiers that at least someone appreciated them, I had coins made up so they could receive something other than the same copy+paste AAM everyone below E7 was receiving for that deployment.
They weren't my finest work, but they were well received enough that I've kept the tradition going since then.
They weren't my finest work, but they were well received enough that I've kept the tradition going since then.
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SFC Wendell Pruitt
SFC Michael Hasbun - Wendell Pruitt on facebook and we can discuss it and I can show you what I have done in the past
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SPC (Join to see)
SFC Michael Hasbun - I've witnessed some of that over the years with various units.
In fact my SSG and LT recommended me for an ARCOM at the end of our tour. I did receive it, but not before it was denied six times at BN S1 and apparently the words "PFC's do not get ARCOM's" was said, though I don't know who said it and I doubt anyone would tell me not that it matters anymore. Funny enough once they got it past who they needed to the BC, BDE S1, and COL had no issues moving the award. It was only BN staff that were sticklers.
I can say I don't know if I deserved an ARCOM for what I did, but more than the tin on my chest I appreciate the effort they put in fighting for me. I do know an SFC was pissed when he got an AAM and saw people below him getting ARCOM's and one SSG get an MSM.
I do have to say though in regards to the coins, there are two that give me more memories and meaning than the ribbons I have because of where I got them and who gave them.
In fact my SSG and LT recommended me for an ARCOM at the end of our tour. I did receive it, but not before it was denied six times at BN S1 and apparently the words "PFC's do not get ARCOM's" was said, though I don't know who said it and I doubt anyone would tell me not that it matters anymore. Funny enough once they got it past who they needed to the BC, BDE S1, and COL had no issues moving the award. It was only BN staff that were sticklers.
I can say I don't know if I deserved an ARCOM for what I did, but more than the tin on my chest I appreciate the effort they put in fighting for me. I do know an SFC was pissed when he got an AAM and saw people below him getting ARCOM's and one SSG get an MSM.
I do have to say though in regards to the coins, there are two that give me more memories and meaning than the ribbons I have because of where I got them and who gave them.
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Talk to your boss about how things are done in the unit. If some troop has worked hard to a previous standard to get a certain recognition, nothing will sour them quicker than the new TL or SL changing the ground rules on them. Use your common sense.
Spend a minute or two everyday looking at things from the troop's point of view. It helps a lot in monitoring where their heads are at.
Spend a minute or two everyday looking at things from the troop's point of view. It helps a lot in monitoring where their heads are at.
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SPC (Join to see)
That's a good point top, if I come in fresh and mess up the previous standard without good cause that would certainly be unfair to them.
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Here is what bothers with me with Army awards. For some reason, someone (maybe a CSM/SGM) decided that awards are strictly based off rank and it really pisses me off. I have a 35T SPC who deployed with my unit back in 2017 who we had to fight to get this soldier an MSM - which he rightfully deserved. However, there were E-8's and above who received the same award for essentially showing up and doing NOTHING. I've also seen O-3's and above get Bronze Stars for doing admin work during a deployment to Iraq.
Ok, rant over. For any type of award, I look at all aspects of the soldier. Did they go above and beyond what their duty description states? How about helping others when it was needed, did they volunteer for duties outside their normal requirements, etc. The soldier cannot be flagged in the system for any reason as well. Now, for the type of award (AAM, ARCOM, MSM), what did they do that set themselves apart from their peers? How did they contribute to the overall improvement of their section and unit? That will drive not only the type of award I would recommend but how the narrative is developed.
Ok, rant over. For any type of award, I look at all aspects of the soldier. Did they go above and beyond what their duty description states? How about helping others when it was needed, did they volunteer for duties outside their normal requirements, etc. The soldier cannot be flagged in the system for any reason as well. Now, for the type of award (AAM, ARCOM, MSM), what did they do that set themselves apart from their peers? How did they contribute to the overall improvement of their section and unit? That will drive not only the type of award I would recommend but how the narrative is developed.
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The Army does have an issue with awards and rank Chief, there's no doubt about it. Funny enough the regulation states that anyone engaging in such practices is in violation and I personally think it's an IG complaint waiting for the right slip of the tongue on some leader somewhere.
It's actually that reason that I'm curious on everyone's opinions on awarding their troops and their criteria in addition to the regulation. Before I understood the 638 process I just sent memos up for things I witnessed that I thought deserved some recognition. They usually got brown filed if you catch my meaning. For example we had a Soldier provide medical aid to a Civilian who was involved in a vehicular collision resulting in multiple fractures, severed ear, and broken teeth. The Soldier kept him in a stable position, removed the broken teeth from his mouth so he didn't choke, and recovered the severed ear for the EMT's and stayed with the Civilian until the EMT's transported him out. I figure that's ARCOM worthy, I and other Soldiers who witnessed it agreed. Wrote up a memo explaining what I saw, who was there, and my recommendation. Nothing. Talked with some NCO's wrote up a 638 for an ARCOM, got kicked back for corrections multiple times and I made them. I heard it got knocked down to an AAM but I honestly don't even know if he ever got it.
So I figure if I'm going to be in charge of any troops in addition to all the other tasks I need to accomplish I need to understand the awards system beyond the regulation, 638's and 4187's. The culture and the thought process of leaders is something I lack. I'm not for ribbon hunting, but at the same time is someone earned it then they should get it.
You've given me a good factor to consider, what did they do beyond? How are they contributing besides going to work each day. Did they volunteer rather than be volun-told. Another one I have seen is how long have they sustained good work? I think these are good factors to consider.
It's actually that reason that I'm curious on everyone's opinions on awarding their troops and their criteria in addition to the regulation. Before I understood the 638 process I just sent memos up for things I witnessed that I thought deserved some recognition. They usually got brown filed if you catch my meaning. For example we had a Soldier provide medical aid to a Civilian who was involved in a vehicular collision resulting in multiple fractures, severed ear, and broken teeth. The Soldier kept him in a stable position, removed the broken teeth from his mouth so he didn't choke, and recovered the severed ear for the EMT's and stayed with the Civilian until the EMT's transported him out. I figure that's ARCOM worthy, I and other Soldiers who witnessed it agreed. Wrote up a memo explaining what I saw, who was there, and my recommendation. Nothing. Talked with some NCO's wrote up a 638 for an ARCOM, got kicked back for corrections multiple times and I made them. I heard it got knocked down to an AAM but I honestly don't even know if he ever got it.
So I figure if I'm going to be in charge of any troops in addition to all the other tasks I need to accomplish I need to understand the awards system beyond the regulation, 638's and 4187's. The culture and the thought process of leaders is something I lack. I'm not for ribbon hunting, but at the same time is someone earned it then they should get it.
You've given me a good factor to consider, what did they do beyond? How are they contributing besides going to work each day. Did they volunteer rather than be volun-told. Another one I have seen is how long have they sustained good work? I think these are good factors to consider.
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SPC (Join to see)
That's twice I've seen you post this photo. I'm not familiar with this person, but it looks like stolen valor at the worst and at the best an unprofessional way to display ones awards considering the regulation which is not what I'm attempting for myself or my Soldiers. If that's what you're insinuating just by discussing the awards process and culture of the Army with those who have more experience then I do, I have no further need to discuss it with you.
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MAJ (Join to see)
The regulation strictly prohibits awards based on rank. If you see that you have the right to file a complaint/investigation request without fear of reprisal.
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