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.
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 350
You dont. Take your award, trust me, I ETS in 2006 and joined the Guard, I miss my unit almost daily and the award was a reflection of what we did together. Its never about you or me, its about the greater good, take that award and give a good professional speech about how we can win anything through team work
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My commander called me a week after I was honorably discharged and said he wanted to have formation on Friday to present my award.
I was like Sir I already left and I am on terminal leave. They never mailed it to me and was never put into my record. So yea I can see this happening...
I was like Sir I already left and I am on terminal leave. They never mailed it to me and was never put into my record. So yea I can see this happening...
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I left active duty in 1979 and again in 1985, I never received this. This award is not meant to harm you, but to show appreciation. When I retired from the US Army reserves in 2003 they messed up my paper work so I never got paid for my final weekend, no thanks. no nothing. even if its a form letter or award it's better then what they gave out 13 years ago.
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SFC Clark Adams
My retirement award was an ARCOM for 11 years in the IRR in 1996. I discovered a large envelope wedged between the screen door and front door which contained the award. I don't know how long it was there because we rarely use the front door.
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Maybe it will fit nicely in your shadow box. Spit that bad taste out and get hot. Show some leadership.................
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Just a couple of thoughts. These also shouldn't get you in trouble.
1 Did you try just asking not to receive the award?
2 You did say you will probably end up writing it anyway. Just don't write the award. When asked about it tell them you can't write your own award.
I will say I have been in your shoes before. When I was in Okinawa my battle didn't receive an award and she was not flagged nor barred. So I didn't receive an award either. I felt it was them saying I was better than her. I still received an award but it's not on my records. I still have the award I just don't wear it or have it on my ERB.
1 Did you try just asking not to receive the award?
2 You did say you will probably end up writing it anyway. Just don't write the award. When asked about it tell them you can't write your own award.
I will say I have been in your shoes before. When I was in Okinawa my battle didn't receive an award and she was not flagged nor barred. So I didn't receive an award either. I felt it was them saying I was better than her. I still received an award but it's not on my records. I still have the award I just don't wear it or have it on my ERB.
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This will sound a bit cheeses.
"It's how you finish the game that counts" "not if you win or lose"
So finish like a Man with your head up and take the award. Do a about face and move out smartly.
We all get pissed off at times and want to act out. Good luck
"It's how you finish the game that counts" "not if you win or lose"
So finish like a Man with your head up and take the award. Do a about face and move out smartly.
We all get pissed off at times and want to act out. Good luck
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As someone who worked in several units early in my career that had the attitude of no one needs awards, I say take it, you don't know when the next one will come. Two if your soldiers deserve awards submitted them for it.
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I always thought the Army was way over the top in handing out awards. My Father who was a retired E-9 in the Navy (Made E-9 in 14 years by the way) had 1 award that was his when he retired. The Navy Good Conduct Medal. The others were Unit or Service Awards such as WWII medals. When I was in the Army (72-93) I received end of tour awards also. They were simply participation awards. Awards for doing your job.
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Look at it like this. How much time did you miss your family? How many times did the job suck but you did it anyway because it was you duty? I always felt awards we there to let you know your superiors cared and understood the tasks you performed to a high standard. In DS a fellow NCO of mine got a BSM for being the shit detail guy. He did it for two months straight. I ask the CSM later why? He told me that he never once received a complain about that detail, and that every time he used one of the latrines it was fully stocked and clean!! And as others have said one day your grand kids may be looking through you stuff and see the award. Take that award from a grateful nation and ride off into the sunset.
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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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