Who can recommend awards for SM?

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Jan 2021 08:14:10 -0500

Response by 1SG John Highfill made Jan 1 at 2021 8:15 AM

1SG John Highfill — Fri, 01 Jan 2021 08:15:27 -0500

Yes and maybe

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2021 8:17 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Jan 2021 08:17:13 -0500

I believe it is anyone witnessing or having knowledge of the act can write the SM up for an award. The level of award is where the approval authority changes but anyone can submit for it.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2021 8:25 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Jan 2021 08:25:35 -0500

Start writing, and do justice to their service with your words and their deeds.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2021 9:12 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Jan 2021 09:12:32 -0500

AR 600-8-22 is your reference. The standard is the recommender must be senior in grade OR a person that has first hand knowledge of the actions being recognized.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jan 1 at 2021 12:24 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Fri, 01 Jan 2021 12:24:05 -0500

MSG Private RallyPoint Member has the Army directive ref. Similar rules for all Services. Writing the recommendation is the hard part. I served on a MACOM civilian awards board. I read lots of recommendations. Here’s some ideas on getting an award approved.
-facts in recommendation must clearly justify award
-write up must use words interpreting actions and service as meeting award requirements
-saying the nominee did their job really well all the time does not meet the standard for most awards
-good writing most often leads to good results

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jan 1 at 2021 1:16 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Fri, 01 Jan 2021 13:16:51 -0500

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member AR 600-8-22
3–5. Who may recommend
a. The Army does not allow self-recognition (including spouses or other Family members), therefore, a Soldier may not recommend himself or herself for award of a decoration.
b. The recommending official must have first-hand personal knowledge of the event, or have been senior in grade at the time of the action(s) or service, to the individual being recommended for an award. Additionally, the recommending official must have knowledge of all the action(s) or service cited. That is, the recommending official must have either observed the actions or been provided information by an individual who observed the actions.
c. Recommending officials who did not personally witness the action must have been associated, by virtue of their position in the command, with the incident and/or the individual being recommended for the award. If the recommending official is not the commanding officer, the commander, if available, must endorse the recommendation. If it is no longer possible to route the recommendation through the commander (for example, the commander is deceased), a signed state- ment to the effect must be included. In this case, another officer who has knowledge of the action(s), and who was senior in the chain of command of the individual being recommended during the period for which recognition is desired, may endorse the recommendation.
d. Recommendations for the award of Army decorations to members of another Service branch will be submitted by Army personnel only.

In short, anyone with first hand knowledge. Why do you ask?

Response by COL Andrew Burns made Jan 1 at 2021 1:32 PM

COL Andrew Burns — Fri, 01 Jan 2021 13:32:31 -0500

Anyone, however, it would behoove the recommender if they used the "buzz-words" that sail the award through. Depending on the awardee, the higher might see the gratitude of the underling. Or they can be seen as a psycophant! I recommended my Personnel NCO for an MSM as a 1LT. I had to go to the division CSM and MG, because the G1 was an ass and believed that an E-5 could not deserve it......BLUF she deserved it and got itQ

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jan 2 at 2021 6:01 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sat, 02 Jan 2021 06:01:42 -0500

Anyone can submit an award recommendation. If a junior person wishes to recommend a peer or simubordinate, it is wise to ensure the level of nomination is in concert with the action being awarded. It is also wise to speak with the COC anyway, prior to submission. Remeber, submission does not translate to award.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2021 8:16 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 Jan 2021 20:16:36 -0500

Anyone can recommend a SM for an award. That being said, it needs to be quantifiable and show their actions worthy of the award. AR 600-8-22 is where you need to reference.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2021 2:25 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 03 Jan 2021 14:25:45 -0500

Anyone can recommend anyone for an award.. More weight is given to the one who witnessed the act worthy of one, however.

Response by CPL Adonis Torres made Jun 17 at 2022 12:10 PM

CPL Adonis Torres — Fri, 17 Jun 2022 12:10:17 -0400

A senior grade officer