What should you consider when writing an ETS Award?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 17:55:19 -0500

We have two Soldiers in our formation, a Staff Sergeant and a Specialist who are getting out in five months and despite the career counselors and leaders best efforts they're dead set on getting out.

So, it's time to consider a get out award.

The SSG has had obviously a longer career with multiple deployments, a couple federal missions, was Active and in the Guard for two different States. Has various awards from prior service.

The SPC no deployments but was not a shirker by any means. Has nothing.

So I'm thinking... MSM and ARCOM. Worst case the MSM gets downed to an ARCOM and the ARCOM gets downed to an AAM.

Now I'm taking the initiative on writing these and then crowd sourcing improvements from NCO's and a few officers in my AO, but 5 months is a short window for S1 to get this through the chain before they're out the door (total BS, 5 months should be plenty but whatever) so what do I need to consider. I know these are different than an End of Tour or an Impact award.

I've also never written an MSM, I know it's going to go to our 1 star. That said even though I'm writing it, likely someone else will be the actual recommender.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Nov 7 at 2022 6:01 PM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 18:01:41 -0500

On both of these, Use Quantifiable facts, achievements and avoid catch phrases. Don't over inflate the achievements. On the Staff Sergeant with previous awards it is a good idea to try not to use achievements that he/she has been recognized for previously, unless it is a retirement award. Hope this helps.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2022 6:04 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 18:04:29 -0500

You have the right idea. Get some similar awards that have recently been approved as examples.

Best of luck

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Nov 7 at 2022 6:45 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 18:45:02 -0500

If they have already been awarded for something, you can't award it again. This will come in to play for the SSG.

Also, look at quantifiable accomplishments first: saved X amount of money, killed X number of terrorists, wrote X number of reports, achieved X number of hours of education. Also remember that subordinate accomplishments are leader accomplishments, too. So X number of hours of education for his/her squad/team/section, etc.

Next, look at qualifiable accomplishments. Won best squad competition. Won NCO of the quarter. Selected for hardest missions, etc.

Next look at impact accomplishments. Improved morale, created SOPs, streamlined processes, etc. If you can, find ways to turn these into quantifiable accomplishments. Streamlined processes which saved X number of man-hiurs or reduced time by 8% or whatever.

Finally, look at individual accomplishments. Schools, training, etc.

Always ALWAYS always tie everything back to impact on unit. I was taught as a rule of thumb, that you need to show how it affected that Commander's unit. So an ARCOM, signed by BDE Commander, needs to have a BDE wide impact. And so on. THIS IS NOT A REGULATORY REQUIREMENT. Ultimately, the Commander can sign whatever he or she wants (I have in my file an ARCOM that was signed by a 2-star which which had only one bullet and that only four words long). And they cannot, technically, pre-establish requirements for awards (like must have division-wide impact). But it is still a good idea. If you want that Commander to sign it, you need to give him or her a good reason to do so.

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Nov 7 at 2022 9:43 PM

SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 21:43:40 -0500

I would suggest looking at award recommendation language for the submission of the MSM for the SSG! Then look for language from award recommendation of MSM for the submission of ARCOM for the SPC! Some schools of thought don't normally approvals of MSM, unless they are in the grade of SFC.
!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2022 12:37 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 00:37:08 -0500

Personally I think an MSM is a long stretch, maybe a Commendation or Achievement are more appropriate.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2022 9:42 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 09:42:53 -0500

You should consider the accomplishments achieved over the course of their time. You should consider the level of impact they had on the unit, Guard and mission(s). Have them provide you a summary of their time and what they did during that time. Try not to double tap any achievements previously awarded for. Then, I recommend you look at ArmyWriter for bullet amd citation write ups to give you an idea as to how they can be written. Then, have your 1SG look the 638s over. Be prepared to see the MSM recommendation for the SSG downgraded. Same for the ARCOM.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2022 9:43 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 09:43:51 -0500

You can also, if you want, email me the 638s when you have them written. I can look them over amd provide feedback

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2022 12:11 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 12:11:43 -0500

As someone who has written or processed thousands of awards over the years (and in the not so distant future, likely the recipient of a retirement award), let me offer up some thoughts.

The ultimate goal here is to get deserving Soldiers an award commensurate with their longevity, accomplishment, and responsibility.
Longevity speaks for itself. 10 years > 6 years.
Responsibility is often coincidental with rank, but not always. In charge of troops, tasks, or equipment with quantifiable bullets say a lot about what kind of cat they are.
Lastly, achievements are often easily conveyed on paper, but you have to do it the right way and you can't recycle stuff that has been already awarded. Best practice is to show cause and effect.

Example: SSG Snuffy was in charge of the company Body Composition program for two and half years. Through his management and support of Soldiers, he reduced the unit BFC non-compliance rate by over 70%, by far the best results in the battalion.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2022 3:37 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 15:37:31 -0500

Mention the operations that the SM's supported to show the influence beyond their unit. Quantify where possible; estimates are fine if they're reasonable and agreed upon by chain of command.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2022 3:56 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 15:56:18 -0500

Make sure you reference AR 600-8-22, Military Awards, dated March 2019 (unless there's a new update). Provide tangible recognition for exceptional service or achievement, special skills or qualifications, acts of heroism outside of combat, and acts of valor. Also consider what has the Soldier actually done to deserve said award? Did they do their prescribed duties or were they meritorious in their deeds (deserving, honor, praise, or reward, ref. Webster).

That aside, make sure the first bullet is tight. It's the most important bullet that emphasizes the Soldier's overall contributions. Include the strongest supporting information in it and make sure the information is quantifiable and how it impacted the unit and the Army. Make sure to start each bullet with the Soldier's name but do not use it in each sentence.

Moreover, group facts to culminate in 4 areas of excellence and combine them to provide more persuasive evidence that the Soldier deserves the award. Don't praise for personal capabilities or potential. Assign achievements in relation to peers. Interview leaders, supervisors, and even subordinates to determine strong performance areas and include as many facts as possible.

I hope this helps in some small way!

Response by GySgt Charles O'Connell made Nov 12 at 2022 5:31 AM

GySgt Charles O'Connell — Sat, 12 Nov 2022 05:31:30 -0500

This seems to be a recurring theme on RP, awards. In my view awards are given to recognize superior/meritorious performance. Write up the award recommendation that justifies the level of award recognition.

Response by SMSgt Bob Wilson made Dec 8 at 2022 5:44 PM

SMSgt Bob Wilson — Thu, 08 Dec 2022 17:44:45 -0500

Simple. For both individuals, what have the accomplished to better your unit. Can you justify the award?