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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I hand walked my med retirement award from my company to battalion had its signed by the BN Xo and walked it to brigade and cleared then final out. I am so glad I wasn't handed it in formation. I was embarrassed to be in my unit
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I too hated writing awards. It seemed you had to start at least 6 months out for an impact award and by then the soldiers thought that what they did was unappreciated
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The Army is like a vegetable garden sometimes one has to be replanted every once in a while. look for another career field that has a shortage. Then replant yourself into your new career field through re-enlistment.
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Be grateful someone appreciated your work and took their time to write the award, make a thousand corrections, submit, follow it through the chain, re-write it after it is lost, resubmit it and finally see that your ungrateful butt gets it. Smile, say thank you go home and put it in a drawer. Take it out twenty years later and say "hey, at one time someone actually appreciated what I did".
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Why wouldn't you just take it? To me that would be something honorable. You served your time and now you are honorably getting out of the Army. I served 4 years in the Marines before the Army and I kept every piece of paper that was awarded to me.
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So glad I didn't serve under that POS. I feel bad for the ones that have.
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He only did it for his transgender fans. Obama doesnt care what decent people think. Bergdahal will be next
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Just tell your senior enlisted that you do not desire an award. If someone told me they didn't care, I would not waste the time unless they were truly deserving of an award and had a command wide impact while assigned. If awards are done right, they take time to draft, smooth and produce.
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Whenever I had a problem like this I always looked to my core values that the Air Force loved making us remember. And my favorite is number 1, Integrity First. Do what is right. If you don't feel you earned something don't accept it. But do not do this in a manner that is disrespectful. Unless you are full on out you can still be hit up with some UCMJ nonjudicial punishment.
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DD-214 serves as the ETS award in my opinion. If a service member serves above and beyond expectations they will typically be recognized for their performance. This is a meaningless award in my opinion.
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I would explain it to your command as you did here. Emphasize your view that your soldiers deserve recognization more so. There's nothing wrong with taking the award but based on your post, it seems like you're taking the high road and showing that you value your soldiers first and foremost. It's all about perspective.
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I would just accept the award and move on. As someone else said, it's setting a bad example for younger joes.
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My unit can suck a fat duck 4th brigade was my family and when we moved all the toxic leadership came with it ever cum dumpster leader that ever lived came to our unit besides certain ncos
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I never received or was even offered my ETS award my unit was still on deployment when I Ets'd back stateside and I never received any of my deployment or ETS award
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First of all, I would be gracious about being picked to receive the award and then second, Please excuse yourself Graciously and let them know that you don't feel that you deserve the award and ask that if you could you would pick another who you think deserves it more than you!! Thank them and God for picking you first before anything else that happens!!!
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