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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Well... Be thankful your unit thought enough of you as a soldier to an award instead of complaining about getting one. Some units are still playing good ol boy games and do not offer the same things to all warriors in the same unit. Myself for example was given 48 hours to do a PT test or ETS with a 50% loss of function in my left foot and was on profile. And fresh off of deployment. I would've loved to have gotten a fair shake let alone an ETS award letter.. Or how about a promotion before I got out to E5? That would've been nice. But oh well!!! As soon as I got out and went to the VA they rated me at 100% and now I can't even work. So thanks Army for the Award Letter and Promotion. Even of it only exists in my head
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What award is it? Is is a letter of commendation? An ARCOM? An MSM?
Did you suck at your job or did you kick ass?
Honestly, I would take the award, and if you really don't want it, just throw it away when you get home.
If you act ungrateful in front of the unit, that is how everyone will think of you from then on.
Did you suck at your job or did you kick ass?
Honestly, I would take the award, and if you really don't want it, just throw it away when you get home.
If you act ungrateful in front of the unit, that is how everyone will think of you from then on.
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I just said, dont worry top this arcom wont help me on the outside. I appreciate the thought and effort.
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Get fat, get flagged, no award. A civilian company won't care if you're fat either. Try to do it as close to your ETS date as possible to spare your 1SG the need to track you in ABC. Your protest is symbolic, your leadership wants to recognize you, just let them then go be a civilian and ignore it. Don't have it added to your dd214 either.
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Take the award.
You might not want or like the award you are getting and you are leaving the Army with a bad taste in your mouth but that doesn't mean you can leave and act like a jerk.
Just except the award and move on. Pack it away some where and maybe some day you will be proud of that award and what you didn't in the military
You might not want or like the award you are getting and you are leaving the Army with a bad taste in your mouth but that doesn't mean you can leave and act like a jerk.
Just except the award and move on. Pack it away some where and maybe some day you will be proud of that award and what you didn't in the military
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EtS awards are generally garbage and leadership is too dense to figure it out.
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If you would rather see your soldiers get credit, why not submit awards for them. It would set a great example for your soldiers and give them a good lasting impression of you.
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A lot of folks have some good advice below...the award is as much for you as for everyone else, be they family or the junior Soldiers standing in formation. On the off chance that you are basically known for being a poor Soldier, I'd say it's fair to be at least honest about it. Otherwise, take the award. I also have to admit, I find the "I know what I did" argument a bit sanctimonious. Not getting a PCS/ETS award shows negligence nowadays. Either you are a sub-par Soldier or your S-1 and command team at the BDE level don't care about you.
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Suspended Profile
If you are tasked to write you own award, simply hand the package back to your chain of command during your outprocessing. Apparently, they won't care.
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Some of us didn't get an award from three units when we PCS'd. Lazy ass command. Oh and an NCOER from people I have never worked with before. I love the comments You are not an E9 so you are not entitled to that award...Worthless Command...The Army really has no leadership and the ones that are in are in a leadership position are crooked.
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Just take it like a professional. When you ETS, trash them on social media. This seems like a popular option.
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Some of us didn't get an award from three units when we PCS'd. Lazy ass command. Oh and an NCOER from people I have never worked with before.
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I would just take the award and move on. I wanted to reject my ets award, but figured it wasnt worth my time. Wish I'd gotten more than an AAM as my ets award. Got told by our training room that all ARCOMS were being pushed back. Later found out the other fellow who was leaving a month after me got his ARCOM and was told my leadership was just too lazy to write up the award. Hell the actual statement explaining why I got the award was just name swapped.
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My opinion may be different from others, but as far as a I'm concerned you should take it regardless of whether you like the unit or not. One, they took the time to write it up present it. Two, think of how many that left and didn't get one. If you don't like the unit, the people or both isn't going to matter if you accept the award because you're leaving anyway.
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I had a squad leader who got an award for "doing work" that myself and 2 others did. I worked late 5 nights a week for 3+ months 12+ hr days and single handedly took care of over 3/4 of the Ft. Lewis ROTC ammunition residue. My squad leader put me in for an award and was told "we don't give PFC's and Spec-4's AAM awards. They go to the NCO's". He accepted the award and set it on the ground after formation and walked off. He stood up for those under him who did the work. I had great respect for that man.
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Sometimes it is for morale and to incentivize younger up and coming troops. That no matter how trivial their contributions may seem to themselves, they are important to the unit and will be appreciated. God knows I appreciated our cooks, mechanics, fuelers, medics, clerks, MPs and everyone else who made my career a very fulfilling one. Thank you for your service.
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