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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Exercise a little humility and accept the damn award! Continue with your due diligence to be an advocate for your personnel and ensure they receive their due recognition. The bosses know who their performers are and their posers also!
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I was in a unit for 4 years and deployed with a small team from that unit. I got an award while deployed but not when I ETS'ed. I didn't want one either. My award was my Dragon Stamp and DD214. I went back to the company area and said my goodbyes to everyone there. Thanked the CDR and 1SG. Then tracked down all my troops and PSG and thanks all of them before leaving. That was the best way I felt I could go out. I had a blast at that unit and made a lot of great friends. I didn't need an award to show me or my loved ones my efforts while with them. If I were you though just take it and move on. It's not like you'll have to worry about a Class A uniform inspection again.
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When I got my medical discharge I told the commander that I refuse to accept. I had my E-5 pulled just before being pinned bc I was put on a profile due to the injury getting me the chapter. They thought an AAM would be good enough.
So, my last day the CO called me to the front. Proceeded to hand it me, I saluted and told him I refuse and would rather have what I already earned. I thought it was about to get ugly until my old platoon sgt pulled me aside after formation, No one could hear what I was telling the commander. he asked what I said, I told him. He took the stripes off my replacement and handed it to me. Said I earned it. He said I was a huge pain in his ass but I was a good soldier. That's better than the paper I was "awarded".
So, my last day the CO called me to the front. Proceeded to hand it me, I saluted and told him I refuse and would rather have what I already earned. I thought it was about to get ugly until my old platoon sgt pulled me aside after formation, No one could hear what I was telling the commander. he asked what I said, I told him. He took the stripes off my replacement and handed it to me. Said I earned it. He said I was a huge pain in his ass but I was a good soldier. That's better than the paper I was "awarded".
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Awards are generally speaking only so much B/S. Watching the talking heads from the Puzzle Palace in Arlington [can we knock the place down and sell it to Ivanka for a $1 so she can build golf courses and condos???] the omnipresent talking head from JCS [Kirby from State was the most ludicrous] all resemble nothing so much more than a Banana Republic Dictatorship Generalissimo. I knew awards were only so much B/S when I saw a USN CPO get a Naval Achievement Medal award for correcting an engineering casualty that he precipitated in the first place. The predominance today of awards is a hall mark indicator of an institution in latter stages of decay and collapse.
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the only Award I received when I ets was a nice long run, by run I mean being chased by other NCOs and my troops, and then a nice cold bath in the full, muddy ditch by the wash rack!
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I got shit for things I still don't understand why, but hey it sure looks good at the bottom of a storage bin.
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What's it really matter? You're not writing it and if you are just don't do one. Awards are handed out like candy other than valor based awards. Don't fret it and just roll with it, pissing off the CoC out of spite will only hurt you not them.
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Here is the thing, an award does far more than just give the SM recognition. It serves are a positive re-enforcement of morale. Most SM could care less about being recognized for what they do. This however shows to the unit that the command does in fact see the positive as well as the negative and rewards good conduct. So the award isn't just for you, it serves as a way that all soldiers that work their ass off to see that their work is actually seen.
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I was honored to receive my award, and I appreciated the recognition for the sweat I left behind.
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You keep your mouth shut and take the award. It is a symbol of gratitude by the Army and your unit. The has been time spent by someone in your unit to write this award, to review and than rewrite than process the award and track the award. You now want to be a smug asshat and demand not to receive this award. There is no place in the Army for this kind of arrogance.
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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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