What's the point of a Certificate of Appreciation if it doesn't give you points vs Certificate of Achievement?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 May 2018 06:08:35 -0400

I added the first one in my packet before realizing there was a difference. If I wanted a pat on the back, I prefer it to be a coin.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made May 22 at 2018 9:07 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Tue, 22 May 2018 09:07:25 -0400

Because your chain said that is what you rated, if they wanted you to have anything different they would have done it.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2018 12:23 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 May 2018 12:23:00 -0400

Think of it like this...

Certificate of Appreciation = You met the standard
Certificate of Achievement = You exceeded the standard

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2018 3:14 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 May 2018 03:14:50 -0400

to be clear, both my COAs were for volunteering in warrior competitions for another unit. So it wasn't a rating or anything from my unit. I'm not disgruntled or anything. Just think certificates of appreciation are pointless participation trophies. (pointless. pun intended) lol

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2018 5:10 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 May 2018 05:10:34 -0400

I treat a Certificate of Appreciation like a handshake or equivalent to receiving a coin. As far as Certificate of Achievements go, you see a lot of AAM's getting downgraded to COA's. Its all how you word it on the 638 and what your command wants to go approve.

Response by SFC John Hatton made May 24 at 2018 6:45 AM

SFC John Hatton — Thu, 24 May 2018 06:45:36 -0400

It just shows something else you contributed to.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2018 12:35 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 12:35:51 -0500

For that matter, the coins! I am not Sonic the Hedgehog, nor one of the Mario Brothers. Keep your coins.

Response by SP6 Carlos Vilches made Feb 1 at 2019 8:10 PM

SP6 Carlos Vilches — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 20:10:04 -0500

You do your very will

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Apr 4 at 2019 5:43 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 05:43:04 -0400

Not everything is about advancement or self gratification. You were recognized for an event, action or performance. It is something to be thankful for. Our acre are to be selfless, recognition comes when someone else notices. Recognition can be as simple as a kind statement, this is to be appreciated and humbled by. If we do things for recognition or advancement at every turn we are likely of the mindset expected of Soldiers, Leaders. Be thankful. Thank you for your service, selfless service.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Apr 4 at 2019 5:49 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 05:49:58 -0400

You were recognized for a job well done. You received a personal note from a leader who recognized your act. Soldiers service is selfless, whatever recognition received is incidental to the act. Many amazing and heroic acts go unnoticed while the individual knows and is happy that they did what they did. You are a leader of Soldiers, a Non-Commissioned-Officer, your deeds and acts are selfless. When recognized be proud and happy that someone cared enough to report your act and that the command recognized your actions. Thank you for your service.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Apr 4 at 2019 8:14 AM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 08:14:09 -0400

I had a BC who carried around blue postcard sized cards in his cargo pocket. One side was title "Pat on the back." The other was "kick in the ass." He would drop those on folks one or two a day, most days. Sometimes 10 or 12. Wasn't worth points, but it certainly still felt good that he thought I was worthy enough of a pat on the back to stop and write a quick note and hand it to me.

(I ended up with three pats and two kicks... Overall a net win!)

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 10 at 2020 7:23 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 19:23:10 -0500

To show.....appreciation?

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jan 5 at 2021 10:12 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 10:12:23 -0500

it's not always about points. Here is how awards broke down for me when I was on a Command Team. This was my subconscious thought process when recommending someone for an award.

Coin:
If you did something so awesome, I think you should be recognized, even though these things cost me money, you are getting a coin. If it was uber amazing, an AAM too. Since coins came out of my pocket, they are higher in precedence than awards to me.

Army Achievement Medal:
If I think you did something awesome and probably need points, you're getting an AAM. They only cost me the time to write up an award, it doesn't affect my wallet.

Certificate of Achievement:
If you're seeing one of these, either someone downgraded the AAM for some reason, you did something noteworthy but not that out of the ordinary, or you're external to the unit and I have to give you one of these for PR/political reasons.

Certificate of Appreciation:
Usually for civilians/spouses. If you get one of these from me as a Soldier, you are likely a turd that is PCS'ing and the command mandated that you get an award despite your performance. This was all my conscience would allow me to give you without cheapening the awards system.