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.

Posted in these groups: Us medals

Awards

ETS/EAS

Advice

Edited 9 y ago

Posted 9 y ago

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Responses: 350

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CPT (Join to see)

Posted >1 y ago

I get that you have some bad feelings, but if you refuse it you won't make the bad leaders stop and consider what they did to sour you. It won't send a message, all it will do is make them think you are a dirtbag. Just take it and walk away. Now if they try and make you write it, just "forget".

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LTC Tom Jacobs

Posted >1 y ago

He can refuse to accept the award and the unit will just mail it to his HOR.

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CW4 (Join to see)

Posted >1 y ago

Awards are not just for the recipient. They are a means to show to other soldiers that the command cares, acknowledges the achievements of others and respects your effort and contribution to the team. It is in a way a team building moment. Take the award, you may appreciate it later...or even your children.

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SGT Donald Croswhite

Posted 9 y ago

Well here's the deal with that. Your award is NOT always about you. I worked in the training room for an HHC for 5 years. Yes, your ETS award is your final good bye, it is also your Commander's and Lieutenant's job to have a good grasp on timelines and planning. So when don't receive an award, or your award is late your LTC is seeing that the officers below him aren't doing there job. If a commander doesn't know when one of his soldiers is leaving service then he's not a good commander. I know it's a pain in the ars to sit down with a team leader or whoever and hash out what you've done in your career. But they want to look good on the next PowerPoint brief. And having a late or no ETS award reflects on them as a professional. It's one of the last Big Green Weenies you may have to deal with...

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SSG (Join to see)

Posted 9 y ago

I was in the same boat for my last two PCS awards and my ETS award. I told them I'd be good with unit coins and maybe a beer (it was Germany after all), but instead I ended up writing half of each award. With the last two I was working in the training room and made it easy to skip the ceremonies by placing them in my SMIF file directly after they were approved. I always led with the reason that I did solely my job, and that I didn't do extra to merit anything more. I got more than a few verbal counselings about my position on it, and even tried to convince my last rater to convince my 1SG that I didn't need one. I was told to shove that idea and I was getting one whether I liked it or not. I also operated from the frugal standpoint of not wanting to buy a new rack or new devices. That didn't please the BDE level after one board but that's a different issue.

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SPC (Join to see)

Posted 9 y ago

Do what I did, I was stationed in Korea and got in to some trouble, so my pcs award was a COA. But there were numerous people who got into a lot more trouble than I did, and did things way worse than I did, but they got AAMs, so I felt there was a lot of favoritism in my unit. So for my going away speech, I accepted the COA, and my commander told me to give a speech, so I looked at him and said, "I have nothing to say about this unit, I am leaving and that's all I care about." He looked at my like I was crazy, but he understood my point about the unfair justice system in the unit

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MSgt James "Buck" Buchanan

Posted 9 y ago

Whether the unit you are serving with has been a stellar experience or not be a team player and take the award they say you deserve for the job you've done. Afterward, if you are retiring and not expecting to wear a Class A uniform again. If you are staying in, then wear the award as required and let it get lost in your mind among the things you are more proud of.

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MSgt James "Buck" Buchanan

9 y

Left out part of my comment...If you are retiring and not expecting to ear a Class A uniform again, then put the award in a box in a drawer and forget about it until your kids start asking about what to mention at your funereal.

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