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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ETS Award? WTF? The only ETS Award I remember you got was a Good Conduct Medal and a DD-214.
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First of all we don't know what the future holds. You and many others Soldiers have gotten out and come back in. Then that award means something. You have no idea what that civilian company values or understands about military service. Your boss could be a retiree who scrutinizes your military service during the hiring process. Lastly, the chain of command obviously cares about your future and wants to do their part to set you up for success. While it is a military award, you can reword things to make sense on a resume for a business. You could let a future employer know that your professionalism and leadership have been recognized and you have received awards for it from a previous employer.
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it is simple. just tell your supervisor that you do not want an ETS award and that a mug or something different is more apperciated. but as it was mentioned before, sitting on the other side of the interview table and reading through a DD214. i would have to say, to see no awards listed would set me to think you did just enough to show up for PT and that is about it. in a day and age where BSM are given out as easy as a certificate of achievement. i see that awards mean very little anymore but none the less, BE, KNOW, DO. Be professional. Know yourself and your soliders. DO, Actions NOT WORDS. set the example that you want your soldiers to emmulate. regardless of your feelings towards the unit. in short. SUCK IT BUTTERCUP.
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Talk to your 1SG. He advises the commander. If you are not willing to accept an award that reflects your contributions to your unit. You either didn't contribute much (fell short of meeting your own expectations), your unit didn't appreciate what you have done (which is a bigger problem that the 1SG should address with unit leaders ) or leadership is lazy or lacks the skills to properly white an award or inject in your unit awards process.
All the above start with you and your 1SG with your concerns. He or She is the communication bridge to advising leadership on unit concerns. I'm everyone in unit felt as you do, your unit as awhile is not striving for excellence, operatin
All the above start with you and your 1SG with your concerns. He or She is the communication bridge to advising leadership on unit concerns. I'm everyone in unit felt as you do, your unit as awhile is not striving for excellence, operatin
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I had a young SSGT getting out after his second enlistment. He approached me and stated that he in no shape or form wanted a Separation medal. I gave him the standard rebuttal that such a medal is good for the family to see, and good to have incase he decided to return to duty in the guard or reserves. He elected to not get the medal.
Flash forward to about 6 months later. I get a phone call from a 1st Sgt from a guard unit in this kid's home state. Turns out that to this unit
Flash forward to about 6 months later. I get a phone call from a 1st Sgt from a guard unit in this kid's home state. Turns out that to this unit
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MSgt Mike Stuckey
(Continued)
this unit was very curious as to why this guy didn't have a Separation medal in his package. They took it as a sign that he had done something wrong. Just a thing to think about.
For the record, I gave the guard unit my inputs on the young SSgt and gave them my recommendation.
this unit was very curious as to why this guy didn't have a Separation medal in his package. They took it as a sign that he had done something wrong. Just a thing to think about.
For the record, I gave the guard unit my inputs on the young SSgt and gave them my recommendation.
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At least you are getting one, I left my last duty station without one, because the one I was given was invalid due to the fact that it had the wrong social security number on it, you would think after being someplace for 7 years they would of had it right, accept the award and leave
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No one should be above being recognized for their achievements. If you reject other's recognition of you, you communicate to them that to be held in high esteem by them is not important to you. The term for that is ingratitude.
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Just take the award, say thank you and drive on. If you hate the unit that much the quickest way out is the path of least resistance.
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I have seen this on occasion when still serving. Most just felt they would have rather been recognized for their hard work when it actually may have helped them get their next rank. I remember early in my career being told that first termers could not get awards regardless and originally thought that the narratives were Xeroxed out in the basement of the Pentagon since they all sounded the same. That said, take it, throw it in a desk drawer and move on with your new challenges.
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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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