What is the appropriate award to recommend for stopping a fight during Family Day?

2016-07-16T22:31:19-04:00

Earlier today while our unit participated in "Family Day" activities a serious incident occurred. We were in a public space and several members of the unit including myself observed an altercation developing between what appeared to be adults unaffiliated with our unit on a public playground. The husband of one of our officers, an off duty policeman, myself and my platoon sergeant directly intervened using appropriate force. We secured the AO, Established a perimeter, extracted the target (a 17 year old being "stomped" by "wanna be" bangers who we later learned had been in fact armed with handguns.). Our response, collectively was a textbook example of the marriage between situational awareness and tactical proficiency. Egos were set aside and roles were filled with the barest of communication based on effective training and execution. I want to ensure that the outstanding performance of my NCOs and officers under crisis is recognised but I am confused as to specifically what award I should be recommending these outstanding soldiers for given the circumstances: on duty, Continental US, response to criminal violence under posse comitatus. If anyone has any suggestions as to award I should be recommending I would appreciate it greatly! Thanks

Response by SFC William Farrell made Jul 16 at 2016 11:04 PM

2016-07-16T23:04:57-04:00

Soldier Medal SPC Private RallyPoint Member or Army Commendation Medal as the SM may be too high considering your NCO's did not know they were armed.

Response by MSG Pat Colby made Jul 16 at 2016 11:11 PM

2016-07-16T23:11:53-04:00

Damn Joe! You have made an old MSG PROUD!

First off let me give you my heartfelt gratitude for not only caring enough to recommend an award but your succinct and eloquent rendition of the situation. There aren't many people of your Rank that think and speak/type in such a manner.

Talk to your FLL and tell him/her of your intentions for using the open door policy of your Commander to recommend an Award. Also as a Reservist, your 1SG should be approachable as well. Mention it to anyone and everyone that would listen.

If the situation went down as you described, chances are the wheels and cogs are already turning for Awards. Make sure you follow up with everyone to see where the process is in the works.

Thanks again! My Faith in the future generation has been restored by you.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jul 16 at 2016 11:50 PM

2016-07-16T23:50:09-04:00

The first and most vital thing that you should do is to get as many people as you can that have First hand Eye Witness knowledge of the event to make sworn statements about the event. THIS can be VITAL. In the event that an award is recommended, the approval authority will want to know what happened, especially since it involved civilians, and off duty police officer and the like. Having the situation recorded and knowing who was there can make all the difference.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Dec 27 at 2017 1:30 AM

2017-12-27T01:30:08-05:00

Good job, acting to preserve the peace in a positive manner w/o being injured deserves a commendation!

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Dec 27 at 2017 2:00 AM

2017-12-27T02:00:26-05:00

It deserves some recognition but it does not meet, to my knowledge, the level required for any decoration. A letter of commendation and a 3 day pass would be appropriate IMO.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2019 10:11 PM

2019-01-17T22:11:06-05:00

AAM, maybe, but an award from the city "may" be more likely, especially considering a police office was involved as one of your reaponders.
If you would have known they were armed ahead of time, I would suggest a Soldier's Medal.
Although some would argue that it is always possible they were armed, which I personally always assume, that is unlikely to go far with regard to any award.

Response by MSgt James Slawson made Feb 23 at 2020 10:29 AM

2020-02-23T10:29:02-05:00

Ok, this was not a life saving moment, where I have personally seen individuals not get recognized for saving a life, but just an altercation at a playground. If we gave awards for every argument that was broken up between civilians and military people we would be giving these out like candy. If this was a situation where civilians deliberately attacked military personnel then that could be different, but as ambassadors of the military it is our duty to be responsible, respectful, and maintain peace at all costs. Based on the information provided the “most” should be a letter of recognition for being a role model to not only the military but to the civilians as well.