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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1SG Jerome Schumacher

Posted >1 y ago

ETS Award? WTF? The only ETS Award I remember you got was a Good Conduct Medal and a DD-214.

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SSG (Join to see)

Posted >1 y ago

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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SFC Robert White

Posted >1 y ago

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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SPC Rob Lewis

Posted >1 y ago

My last unit when I was active used awards as a bribe to try and get you to re-enlist. After I had made it clear I was getting out my award was pulled (no surprise to me). Just chalked it up to unit politics and went home.

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SFC Craig Starr

Posted >1 y ago

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

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MSgt Mike Stuckey

Posted >1 y ago

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

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MSgt Mike Stuckey

>1 y

(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.

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SGT (Join to see)

Posted >1 y ago

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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Sgt Gerardo Casteleiro

Posted >1 y ago

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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SGT (Join to see)

Posted >1 y ago

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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MSgt Wayne Morris

Posted >1 y ago

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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