What should I do about being denied an award?

2021-11-19T10:04:54-05:00

As an army nurse, me and my department played a major role in fighting the COVID pandemic. Other departments have been given a HSM as well as a AFSM. However, me and others in my department were only given the AFSM. I brought this up to my ncoic and he tried to get us both however s1 or whoever decides this said no. Airmen of our hospital regardless of department were also awarded both. I am aware you can not get two awards for the same reason but I just can’t let it go. What can I do to fight for this award for me and the rest of the department

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 19 at 2021 10:17 AM

2021-11-19T10:17:54-05:00

They are different awards, one is for service in support of the pandemic, one is being on the “front line” of the fight. S1 doesn’t decide if you get it or not. Find the MILPER, resubmit the award with it.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Nov 19 at 2021 10:20 AM

2021-11-19T10:20:08-05:00

Your NCOIC needs to dig deeper. If different departments and divisions are getting/not getting the award for the same actions/same time period/ same award authority something isn't getting documented correctly. You can go through the Chain of Command, EO rep, HR, IG just to name a few.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 19 at 2021 11:50 AM

2021-11-19T11:50:13-05:00

S1 does not approve or deny awards. They process awards and other admin functions. Whoever is designated as the approving authority determines approval or denial of awards.

Here's the memo last year for AFSM and HSM published last year on qualifications. I'm not sure if there is anything newer since then.

https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/01/ [login to see] /-1/-1/1/AWARD-OF-THE-ARMED-FORCES-SERVICE-MEDAL-AND-HUMANITARIAN-SERVICE%20MEDAL-FOR-DEPARTMENT-OF-DEFENSE-CORONAVIRUS-OPERATIONS-AND-ACTIVITIES.PDF

It does say that SMs are not eligible for both awards based on the same activities, deployment and/or period of service. So someone is wrong there if there are SMs who got both awards for the same time period or activity.

It says for eligible personnel: "Active and Reserve component (including National Guard) members who meet AFSM and HSM eligibility criteria contained in DoD Manual 1348.33, Vol 2..."

For AFSM it says for those who didn't deploy they had to be assigned to DoD covid-19 duties for 30 days.

It sounds like you should have at least gotten AFSM. But no one is supposed to get both.

AWARD-OF-THE-ARMED-FORCES-SERVICE-MEDAL-AND-HUMANITARIAN-SERVICE%2520MEDAL-FOR-DEPARTMENT-OF-DEFENSE-CORONAVIRUS-OPERATIONS-AND-ACTIVITIES.PDF

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Nov 19 at 2021 6:03 PM

2021-11-19T18:03:15-05:00

S1 processes the awards and sometimes they have a lot of say. Bottom line is that the Commander has to approve the award Maybe your commander decided you two only deserve 1.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Nov 20 at 2021 11:42 AM

2021-11-20T11:42:56-05:00

The short answer is talk to the people in your chain of command that put in the award nomination.

Somebody in your chain of command has award approval authority. They may have an awards committee or board that evaluates nominations and sends them a recommendation. The committee should review the directives governing the award to ensure the nomination meets the criteria. Perhaps your organization or you were left out of a group nomination as an administrative oversight. Perhaps the person who put in the nomination did a poor job of justifying the award and the committee or award approving authority decided the award was not justified. Either way, talk with your chain of command.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2021 7:55 PM

2021-11-22T19:55:40-05:00

Unfortunately, awards are approved by the Command; they get to make that decision based on quantifiable bullets or justification; not the answer anyone wants to hear, but it is what it is. Thanks for your service and dedication to treating patients during the COVID pandemic.