Posted on Nov 3, 2018
SGT Public Affairs Nco
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Not sure how to phrase this question so I'll just put it out there: I was told by my PSG to write up my ETS award as I am getting out within the next 5 months, and I'm not sure exactly what to put for bullets. To me it seems hard to put 3 and a half years of service in a unit into 4 bullets, although I know it's possible. Do I put achievements from my time as an E1 to E4 or should I focus more on my time as an NCO? I'm not looking for someone to write my bullets for me, just some insight on what they might look like. Sorry in advance for being all over the place, any help is greatly appreciated!
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Responses: 15
SFC Bridge Crewmember
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Edited 7 y ago
Telling an SM to write their own award is pure laziness on the PSG’s part. Awards are easy as hell to write and that’s either his or your SQD LDRs responsibly to do.
Just my 1/2-cent worth.
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1SG Air Defense Artillery (ADA) Senior Sergeant
1SG (Join to see)
>1 y
It is...however...that's not what he came here asking. You're not helping his situation at all. He's asking questions that you're not helping to answer.
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Lt Col Charlie Brown
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Pick the most important things. Money, People, Leadership.
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PVT Mark Zehner
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People, knowledge and leadership!
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What type of bullets should be included in an ETS award?
MSG Frank Kapaun
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Try the following bullets:
This man is a speeding bullet, there is no stopping him.
This man is loaded with JP4.
The unit refers to him as plasma, because he is it’s lifeblood.
This man is seldom drunk on duty.
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SCPO Morris Ramsey
SCPO Morris Ramsey
7 y
- This man has no peers
- This man has a great set of teeth. Too bad he carries them in his pocket
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CPT Advisor
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The award is really a gimme since it is most likely getting approved regardless of what you put. It's really an award for your years honorably served. In my opinion, just list the four achievements that you will remember fondly when you find the paperwork while cleaning out the house in 20 years.
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SCPO Morris Ramsey
SCPO Morris Ramsey
7 y
Remember to be kind
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LTC Jason Mackay
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Edited 7 y ago
SGT (Join to see)

Follow the star format: Situation, task, action, result. Bridge the result to the mission of the approval level of the award (ARCOM - Brigade. MSM - Division). Youare only going to get three to four sentences per bullet. DM me if you need some help.

Pick four to six events in your career from the last ten years.
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
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I would recommend you focus on all of your major accomplishments throughout your time in service. But, if you want a reference website that has bullets you can review to see what kicks your thoughts, try http://www.armywriter.com/army-award-bullets.htm
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SN Greg Wright
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Really? A military audience and no one says this? :)

Flachette rounds, of course.
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1SG Vet Technician
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When I wrote one for a Soldier I only worked with for a year (which is nothing in the reserve). I asked him to give me all his NCOERs. I used those to paint a picture in my head of his major accomplishments over the years. It was good enough to write for an ARCOM.
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SGM Erik Marquez
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Are you retiring?
That is the only Service award covered under the reg.
1–22. Recognition upon retirement
a. Period of service. Each individual approaching retirement may be considered for an appropriate decoration based on his or her grade, years of service, degree of responsibility, and manner of performance.
b. Service awards. Meritorious service awards may be awarded, upon retirement, which may include periods of service longer than that served in the recommending command. It is recommended that such periods be limited to the last 10 years of service. This is not to imply that an extended period of service should be considered for every individual who retires. An extended period should only be considered in those cases where the length or nature of the individual’s terminal assignment would not qualify him or her for an appropriate award. It is neither necessary nor desirable to consider an extended period of service when the length and character of service of retirees in their terminal
assignments would qualify them for an appropriate award. When writing the citation, it is not necessary to indicate the time period again; it is only pertinent to mention the total number of years of service, for example, over 22 years or 30 years of service.
c. Submissions. Award recommendations submitted for meritorious service based upon retirement will be submitted so that they may be processed to conclusion prior to the requested presentation date. In determining the presentation date, the recommender must take into account the Soldier’s requested retirement date, number of days of any transition leave, and authorized travel/transition processing time. Recommendations for awards being submitted to HQ, USA HRC for final action will be initiated sufficiently in advance to arrive not less than 90 days before the desired presentation date.
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