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

When I got out I told my 1SG directly I don't want some ETS award. It wouldn't help me get a career in the civilian world. He argued with me for a while saying it's important to get one. I eventually said fine just to get it over with but when it came time for my last day, it was still in S-1. Ended up not getting one and just shaking hands with the leadership. Lol

It's not up to you.

being honored wearing the bluecord is the only thing i cared about recieving.. im proud of it, i dont want medals, there not necessary. i did my job, plain and simple, im just a simple soldier that followed orders that served in the greatest military on earth.

When I got out I declined my ETS award. I walked in and talked to my CO and 1SG and explained I hated getting awards and did not want one. They knew from previous times I was put in for awards and was pissed and respected my wishes. I am a firm believer in just being upfront, respectful and honest. Always worked in my 10 years in.

Just take the award turn around and carry on with your life.

I think that throwing he award in a waste basket is a bit drastic, but I do believe a service member should have the right to refuse an award or medal if he or she sees fit to do so.

Take the award and move on. Didn't get an ETS award when I was getting out in the early 80's

I think it is safe to say we have all had good and bad leaders during our time of service. Awards have been given out for the right reasons, and the wrong reasons. But what we all have to agree on is that their is a thing called respect. One thing I had a SFC tell me when I was a private is that you do not have to respect me as a person, but you will respect my rank. I thought about that long, and hard. I would think that as a leader it would mean more to you to have your soldiers respect you as a person then the rank you wear. Job #1 as a Non-Commissioned Officer is accomplishment of my mission, and then the well fare of my soldiers. I believe that is backward because without your soldiers you can not accomplish your mission. Now you are probably asking what does this have to do with receiving an award? I went from E-1 to E-6, and back down to E-4. A lot of my trouble came from not changing with the times. I did not go along, so I did not get along. From E-1 to E-4 your career is defined by what you do. Once you are a leader of soldiers, your career is defined by what your soldiers do. If you are a good leader your soldiers will follow you through the gates of hell, and give their lives for you. If you are a POS leader your soldiers will leave you flapping in the wind. You want your soldiers to see that even though you have issues with the CoC, you still have military bearing. Until you are officially signed out you are still a soldier. I did not need ribbons, medals, awards, certificates, or any recognition for my service. If I deployed and all of my soldiers made it home alive, and not wounded, then that was my award. Because as a leader my soldiers were the most important thing to me. I was responsible for them. Anything the unit gave me, whether earned or not I respectfully accepted and moved on. I made sure that when I was given the floor that I thanked those that made it possible for me to receive this award, that would be those supporting you (your family, and your soldiers). Do not forget that without your subordinates that you are not a leader your are just a soldier.

Bathrooms always need toilet paper.....NSDQ

Accept it and ETS with pride.