What should I expect for medical retirement?

SSG Michael Hathaway — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 13:04:48 -0500

I am getting medically retired with a NLT in April. A good friend of mine got medically retired last year and he's been helping me with a few things in the MEB process. I know he had to fight to get a retirement award, I think flag too. Nobody has even asked me yet about bullets for an award or last NCOER or anything. Is this normal, or is it that since I am getting medically retired, it's not a thing like other retirements?

Also, not to sound entitled but I feel like an AAM or maybe even an ARCOM would be an insult for my retirement or end of service award. I have held several positions greater than my pay grade, excelled in many areas of leadership, I have impacted Garrison's policy and BDE/BN operations.

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Jan 17 at 2019 1:11 PM

CW5 Jack Cardwell — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 13:11:59 -0500

Awards up to your command .

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 17 at 2019 2:41 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 14:41:22 -0500

I got medically retired as well. I just wanted my DD214 and a flag. When you get your first percentages talk to you PEBLO about increasing it. It is a pretty easy process. Good luck!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2019 2:47 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 14:47:23 -0500

On your 2nd part. If you want X award I recommend that you write it yourself. If you want a MSM, submit the narrative and the award to your rater. I will tell you that after you get out an award from the military will mean little to you. Your focus will shift to setting the conditions for after your transition. Best of luck as well. Get up on LinkedIn and start networking.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2019 4:27 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 16:27:47 -0500

Congrats on the future medical retirement. If I recall, I want to say transition or soldiers for life center should give you retirement certs, flag, etc....... Since you are medically retiring and will never come back in, the unit feel there is no need to complete NCOER unless you want it for your records..... It's not mandatory to do since you are getting out. As far as your award is concerned, 9 times out of 10, your unit is not aware that medical retirees can get retirement awards also..... They could submit MSM for you based off military service.......... Be advised, they can recommend, but don't be disappointed if it gets downgraded at the top........

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2019 9:30 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 21:30:56 -0500

To be honest, it is unlikely that a SGT would be awarded anything higher than an ARCOM. Although I never had to deal with a medical retirement, I do know that other ETS and retirement awards permitted the entire period of service to be included in the award considered. If you have received numerous ARCOMs, you may be one of those exceptions to the general "rule."
I did receive an MSM as a SGT for a short tour, and when I was selected as the NCOY for US Army, Pacific, at the end of that tour (and after the MSM for the 1 year tour had been awarded), I was told I wouldn't receive the MSM the SOY and NCOY normally received because I was fortunate to have received an MSM as a SGT for a short tour. Wrote that essay to say, it IS possible, but the bullets and narrative better reflect more than exemplary. After all, the first thing everyone will read before they get to the bullets is "SGT."