What is the best way to tell your unit that you in no way shape or form want an ETS award from them?

Go to and see your 1SG and respectfully request no award supported by a no award memo stating you do not want a award that is the correct way to do it. If you really feel that strong about it. I will tell you don't be the a$& hole who throws it in the trash make sure when you do get it take your soldiers off to the side and let them know their work and dedication means more to you than a medal but accept it with grace after you leave do what you want with it.

I can tell you that personally i would tell them to shove it where the sun dont shine.

Rarely do I post here, but this one is personal for me. Like many junior officers at the time, I got my you've been through deployment Bronze Star. As a new Captain, my S3 major got fired and sent to an individual augmentee position because the BN CO did not want him around. I got to do all his work and mine.

After coming home and playing rear detachment CDR, we had a complete change of senior leadership. Because I was one of the few people from deployment left, I conducted all of the refit. The new BN XO and S3 did not want to do their jobs. After scrounging 4 M777 howitzers form a national guard unit and fighting with Corps S4, the new S3 asked me if 3 bullets were enough for an ARCOM and if I could write them. This guy was the Rear D CD-R for his previous unit and got an MSM for that, but wanted me to write my own award.

I guess the moral of the story is screw them. The ETS award isn't going to feed you and you don't owe them anything to receive it. My friends threw me a nice party and I appreciate that more than another worthless award. Accept what you like and don't feel obligated to make them feel good about themselves.

Times changes all, accept the award and remember that it is part of your legacy. You decide the future by your own actions in the present.

I personally turned down an ETS medal because it was based on rank and not achievement. I had earned higher medals representing much unit over 3 years. Then when ready to ETS CW2 got a higher medal and was only in the unit 6 months

Go in the future 10 years and you'll look back and remember your friends and good times when you get that reward and see the times without a bad taste. Take it. Be the big man and later you'll be happy you did. Trust
Me you will

A lot of guys quietly hate their military experience but go thru their enlistment doing their job well anyway. This strikes me as a case where a soldier send to telling his chain of command "You treated me like a piece of $&!+ for for years, treated the people around me the same way, and now you want me to smile, shake your hand, and pretend it's all been great. No thank you. Just let me go in peace.

In the end, an ETS award recognizes the culmination of your time given to the Service and your nation. Yes, the citation captures what was done during the specified time period, but is motivated by the totality of your contribution. It is military tradition, and refusal is a slap in the face to all those who preceded you and to those who follow.

I didn't get an ETS award, but me and a few others were called to the front of the formation and my 1SG shook my hand and told me that I would be missed. And thanked me for not being a d-bag while in his company. I couldn't have respected that man more than I did at that moment.

Send them a Memo for Record and explain your position. In my case, when I was out processing there was mention of giving me an ‘Honorary’ promotion to SMSgt. I pointed out that I AM a SMSgt, not a MSgt and an ‘Honorary’ promotion to ‘honor’ me for what I earned is NOT an honor.