What is the standard/recommended pcs award for an NCO who has been with a unit for 3 years?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 17:03:57 -0400

Response by MSgt Brian Welch made Aug 6 at 2015 5:14 PM

MSgt Brian Welch — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 17:14:34 -0400

It should be based on their accomplishment the awards are for merit not time on station. Some, although not heard of, may not get decoration. Farewell plaques are to commemorate time at a unit.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2015 5:16 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 17:16:27 -0400

It really depends on performance and what was done. Unit by unit the "standard" changes. Typically for an NCO was fully qualified and did well, I usually recommend an Achievement Medal, but I have been places where a FLOC (Flag Letter of Commendation) or even just an LOC or LOA is all that NCOs are awarded unless the #1 or 2.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2015 5:19 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 17:19:30 -0400

Depends on duties, responsibility level, and achievement.
I would probably start with an AAM write up, and move it up or down based on what I had for material. If the substance supports more or less, I will go to bat for it all day.

Response by SSG Robert Webster made Aug 6 at 2015 5:19 PM

SSG Robert Webster — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 17:19:59 -0400

Standard / Recommended PCS awards are part of the problem with the awards system and expectations built up from this type of practice makes it difficult to get appropriate awards through and awarded. It also leads to disappointment for the individual when they do not get an award that they expected or even recommended for.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Aug 6 at 2015 5:24 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 17:24:40 -0400

I am a firm believer in a Letter of a Appreciation. Regardless of what you did, you made it easier on those who were there to accomplish mission. If you were a "Performer" you made mission easier. If you were a "Non-Performer" you would have ended up with the Lion's share of "crap details" and hence taken them off the Performers' backs, making it easier to accomplish mission (Thank goodness Schmiddy is here so WE don't have to burn shitters!) In either case, your presence was appreciated.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2015 5:51 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 17:51:38 -0400

Depending on the responsibilities/duties/accomplishments, I would go with an AAM or an ARCOM based on that criteria.

Response by CW4 Guy Butler made Aug 6 at 2015 6:08 PM

CW4 Guy Butler — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 18:08:23 -0400

Depends.

Was what he did quantifiable? (If it wasn't, go ahead and stop now.) Did it directly impact/improve a tracked metric? Was it a minor or major impact?

Was he working in a higher grade position? How much higher? Was he detailed outside his MOS skill set? (11B as 92Y - got one of them as a PBO NCO will-train reclass). Was he successful or outstanding?

Were his actions critical to the successful completion of a particular task or mission? Was the task/mission routine, significant, or critical?

Is he THE subject matter expert on a particular subject? Is he the SME at the squad, platoon, company, or battalion (train the trainer) level?

That's the start for a DA Form 638... Too many times the write-up says "did job good".

(Posting once again... With feeling...)

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2015 6:15 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 18:15:09 -0400

ARCOM is what I've seen for NCOs.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2015 6:17 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 18:17:56 -0400

There is no standard when it comes to an award. Awards and all commendation are based on an individual's performance rather than rank and title. It all needs to be quantifiable. For instance, what did that individual do that affected the company, battalion, brigade or division? If they had a great performance and directly affected operations at the company level but not the battalion level then that well awards an achievement medal; in my belief the award becomes higher at whichever echelon you affected with great performance. Different units have different ways of viewing this. Speak with your NCO support channel and Chain of Command to identify how they view the awards process.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2015 6:44 PM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 18:44:19 -0400

Depends on what billet, overall usefulness in the command, leadership shown, etc. There should never be an award for a specific job or tour, unless it has to do with valor.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Aug 6 at 2015 7:52 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 19:52:14 -0400

It is contingent on scope of responsibility and impact on the organization, no cookie cutter answer here!

Response by SFC Stephen King made Aug 6 at 2015 7:58 PM

SFC Stephen King — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 19:58:20 -0400

Awards are based on merit to state a specific award for anyone would be ambitious in nature. Rest assure others have witnessed the performance of the individual in question thus this will be key in the award recommended

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 12:56 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 12:56:19 -0500

In my experience. Nothing. I was an NCO in a unit for 9 years. Went from SPC-SSG doing multiple duties. I didn't get a thing.

Response by GySgt Bill Smith made Feb 18 at 2016 4:04 PM

GySgt Bill Smith — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 16:04:58 -0500

In my case orders to your next duty station. lol

Response by 1stSgt Eugene Harless made Mar 1 at 2016 5:21 PM

1stSgt Eugene Harless — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 17:21:59 -0500

Orders to Adak, Alaska and a case of butt lube.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2016 3:55 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 15:55:00 -0500

This is a point of contention for a lot of Soldiers. The answer is actually pretty simple in my opinion, select the award that is commensurate with their achievements while serving in the unit. There are many different philosophies on which award should be given during a PCS and that is something you have to navigate. However IAW AR 600-8-22 Chp 3-1, d-f:

d. No individual is automatically entitled to an award upon departure from an assignment. Awards presented in conjunction with a PCS will be limited to exceptional cases. Certificates of achievement and letters of commendation or appreciation are appropriate means to recognize departing personnel.
e. No preconditions for an award may be established, such as, for example, when Soldiers are informed in advance that attainment of specific goals will result in the automatic award of a given decoration. Military decorations will not be used as prizes in contests.
f. Limiting awards to a specific number per unit is not authorized.

This is especially important when you base a recommendation for an award based on rank, remember "limited to exceptional cases". Here is some guidelines provided by AR 600-8-22:

MSM: It is awarded to any Service member of the Armed Forces of the United States or to any
member of the armed forces of a friendly foreign nation who has distinguished himself or herself by outstanding meritorious achievement or service
ARCOM: The ARCOM is awarded to any Service member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Army after 6 December 1941, distinguishes himself or herself by heroism, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service
AAM: The AAM is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States, or to any member of the armed forces of a friendly foreign nation, who distinguished himself or herself by meritorious service or achievement of a lesser degree than required for award of the ARCOM.

Hopefully I have answered your question thoroughly enough. At the end of the day it is up to the approving authority on whether or not the award is justified. Your job is to give the approving authority no reason to deny the award you have recommended. Writing a factual, well articulated award is the key to success.