Posted on Oct 5, 2016
What is the best way to tell your unit that you in no way shape or form want an ETS award from them?
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First off, wow kinda surprised this generated any response at all. I was looking more for a "oh hey, just do this memorandum and it's all done." kind of a deal. Anyways as for context, awards here go through about 15 or more corrections for non-grammatical issues. The award hasn't been written yet and I would probably end up writing it anyways. I just don't want to waste anyone's time or my own for that matter with writing an award that a civilian company cares not a whit about that just going to get kicked back over and over and over. I know what I have done and I honestly don't care much for recognition. I'd rather see some of my Soldiers get credited as they go on to do bigger and better things. Do I also have other motivations for not wanting an award yes because there have been several things that have left a bad taste, but I didn't post this to air my dirty laundry, I was just simply looking for advice. Thanks all for the numerous replies. Most were pretty entertaining, and a few were even helpful.
Awards
ETS/EAS
Advice
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 350
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I don't know how best to say it, but you could always ask them to lose your paperwork. If they're like my old unit, you won't even need to ask!
LOL
LOL
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I hear throat punches are an effective way to ensure you don't get an award.
I suggest starting with your CSM, they always did appreciate a good throat punch.
I suggest starting with your CSM, they always did appreciate a good throat punch.
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Christopher Kinsella
PFC Jim Wheeler - Maybe I'm misinterpreting something you said but it sounds like you said you were injured, failed a PT test and then failed a second test within a couple weeks? And then you took a chapter 13? You should have been given 90 days to retest.
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PFC Jim Wheeler
Christopher Kinsella - My understanding of the reg is that you get a maximum of 90 days. You're supposed to take it at any time during those 90 days that you believe you can pass.
I was not afforded the option to choose when I was ready to take it and the CO decided when I was to take it.
If I had a better understanding of the regulations then, there was a lot that I could have done to fight it. Unfortunately, I was a 20 year old kid who was still new to the Army and didn't understand what my options were.
I was not afforded the option to choose when I was ready to take it and the CO decided when I was to take it.
If I had a better understanding of the regulations then, there was a lot that I could have done to fight it. Unfortunately, I was a 20 year old kid who was still new to the Army and didn't understand what my options were.
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PFC Jim Wheeler
However, it was more than 2 weeks. I think it was 6? I was originally put on remedial PT for a while, but all that did was make things worse.
When the CO said I had to take the next PT test my Section SGT asked me if I could pass and I told him I didn't think so. He asked what I needed, I told him 2 weeks of rest for inflammation to go down. He sent me to sick call and said he was going to talk to the CO about postponing the test.
CO said no. He said I had to take it on Monday or it would be the same as failing and he would start the chapter proceedings.
When the CO said I had to take the next PT test my Section SGT asked me if I could pass and I told him I didn't think so. He asked what I needed, I told him 2 weeks of rest for inflammation to go down. He sent me to sick call and said he was going to talk to the CO about postponing the test.
CO said no. He said I had to take it on Monday or it would be the same as failing and he would start the chapter proceedings.
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Christopher Kinsella
PFC Jim Wheeler - right, you weren't supposed to be the expert...that's what the Trial Defense Attorney is for. Every legal office I've worked in has applied that regulation to mean Soldier gets 90 days, IF the Soldier wants to go sooner they get a counseling from the command acknowledging that they are voluntarily taking it early and understand the risk of doing so. You were done wrong.
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Feels like there must be a story behind this. Can you share more context?
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MSG (Join to see)
CPT Aaron Kletzing , I'm going to get the popcorn ready if and when the story comes out.
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SGT (Join to see)
Made an edit above to clarify. Plenty of stories, but I will leave those for when SGT Camron is a Mr. Camron.
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Understanding your not a special snowflake is a leading edge on getting out. No one cares about your awards when they hire you. They only care if you could make their job easier. And don't list every god damned aar on your resume either. Obviously if you have any valor awards put that down but we laugh at bronze stars because we saw how standard they where for an e-7 as a post deployment award.
You want to truly not care? Take the award, accept it and put it in a trunk with your fatigues.
Don't let your lower enlisted see you bitter. They will think your "one of those guys who couldn't cut it in the army". If you want to show them that there is life on the outside and be subjective to re-up. Just get out and make a better life.
You want to truly not care? Take the award, accept it and put it in a trunk with your fatigues.
Don't let your lower enlisted see you bitter. They will think your "one of those guys who couldn't cut it in the army". If you want to show them that there is life on the outside and be subjective to re-up. Just get out and make a better life.
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SFC (Join to see)
Why is this a topic? Your ETSing, that says enough right there. I guess in today's climate, everything is a protest.
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SGT Scott Stancik
The E-7 that ran the DFAC on my FOB in Iraq got a Bronze Star for adding more menu items......and also 1 squad leader per Infantry platoon was picked and they received a Bronze Star. Anyway, by the time my ETS date came up I was so tired of being at Drum I didn't give a fuck about anything besides a DD214 when it was time. I was an E5, my company gave me an AAM as my ETS award, zero fucks given, that AAM is buried in a plastic box somewhere in my "shit pile" along with the other stuff no one will give a shit about when I die in 50+ years lol
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SGT Jason Herbert
SGT Scott Stancik - I remember picking up a stars and stopes and reading how a marine lower enlisted rushed enemy fire several times to pull his injured squad mates back for aid. And he received a bronze star... it really made me distane the army's award mentality.
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Take the ETS award and put your ego away. Now, if at retirement and your award gets massively downgraded by your CoC than tell them to shove that up their collective asses.
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1SG Mark Reed
Agree, years ago I was recommended for a LOM And my Bn Cdr down graded it to an MSM; he said I disn't meet my potential even though I was retiring as a a 1SG. At the time only 3% of NCOS achieved E8 or E9. When I confronted him about the downgrade he couldn't justify his actions to me, just a cowardly LTC unfit to lead. Good news is, the award would only affect what is placed on my head stone.
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1SG Mark Noyes
Agree,I too was leaving my Batallion to take an assignment as a Senior Instructor in a USARF School. At the last formation of the day our Bn Commander presented me with an ARCOM. Prior to reading the citation he apologized and said this is not the proper award. I had put you in for an MSM. Your buddy the Bde Commander said no.
When I retired seven of us received the Kiss Of Death ( MSM). When I saw who was receiving the award mine meant nothing...
When I retired seven of us received the Kiss Of Death ( MSM). When I saw who was receiving the award mine meant nothing...
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SFC Clark Adams
My son retired from the Army as an LTC and awarded another MSM, because the CG felt only COL and above were entitled to receive an LOM at retirement! This despite holding multiple MSM and Defense Meritorious Service Medals for his service in multiple Joint and DoD HQ DA level assignments for the preceding 12 years. He said screw it! This is just another reason I should retire.
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By all means share the back story which resulted in this decision. Without context it could just be a BA or sour grapes.
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SMSgt (Join to see)
THIS. Too much BS in the background always gets ignored prior to an instance like this. This is more often than not, the case.
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If you're ETSing, you're never going to wear it.....so what's the point in being obstinate about receiving one? If you really feel that strongly about it, pitch it in the trash as soon as you walk out the door.
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Tell your chain of command in person. Put it in writing, MFR, if necessary.
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SGT (Join to see)
Thanks, that was generally what I figured is what I would have to do, figured that I would ask just in case someone knew instead of making an assumption.
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I think in the long term, when you are older and look back on this, you will regret not taking an award. You should take an award and try your best to reflect on the positives from this experience.
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CPL Wilfred Roberge
MSG (Join to see) - I was put in for an award for my IMA tour at a Reserve Command and they wanted it to be ready before the end of my active duty so I was writing up my own award, lol, the DA638 was submitted by my supervisor though, the G-1 awards section which I was attched to SO I ended up preparing my own award after recieving the DA638 and sending it to the awards board, lol.
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MSG (Join to see)
Rambo when you serve 31 years then talk to me, I shouldn't need to write my retirement award period that is a command function, until you young bloods understand this then it will be a problem
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MSG (Join to see)
SPC (Anonymous) - from the post his unit left a bad taste, I myself retired from a unit that was toxic from day one and anything received from them would only make my retirement the more bitter, I chose the right path, what this sm is seeking is can he do it, answer is yes, does he need a reason no, and is there any reg out there that states you have to have an award for ets or retirement award I doubt it, his reasons as well as mine are own business
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PO2 Rev. Frederick C. Mullis, AFI, CFM
MSG (Join to see) - AMEN!! I never had that problem while in the Service, I was blessed with Outstanding Skippers and Senior Non Coms. but when I was discharged I went to work for the State. I retired from the State with 34 years my last Agency I was there for 12 years and my Supervisor did not have the time or inclination to even write up a blurb about my service so the Agency Director could read it when she gave me my retirement plaque and letter. Even though I was only one of two people in the state that could do my job, all I got was "He worked for the agency 12 years" No mention of the rest of the time or nothing. Pitiful! The Military is not the only places that have Toxic environments or piss poor leadership and management styles.
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