Would the following accomplishments warrant a Meritorious Service Medal?

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 13:05:15 -0400

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Mar 16 at 2019 1:17 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 13:17:30 -0400

Proud of you, Staff Sergeant! SSgt Private RallyPoint Member

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Mar 16 at 2019 1:32 PM

PVT Mark Zehner — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 13:32:55 -0400

Congratulations!

Response by CW3 Matt Hutchason made Mar 16 at 2019 1:48 PM

CW3 Matt Hutchason — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 13:48:08 -0400

Just curious, but why are you writing an award recommendation for yourself? Fundamentally, I have a beef with folks recommending themselves for an award. Even if a superior says “write something up for me”, I’m not a fan. That’s just me.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Mar 16 at 2019 2:20 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 14:20:32 -0400

No you should not write your own award. Selfless service, not self help service. Besides that an MSM is pretty high and your unit should be keenly aware of your contributions awarding where appropriate. While others may not agree with me, I will say that had a Soldier brought me a self nomination I would ask them if they believed I was not doing my job. If you are hell bent that you deserve recognition that your unit does not necessarily agree with, you should at the very least talk to your supervisor and hint at you idea. I will close with Selfless Service!!!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2019 4:50 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 16:50:24 -0400

1. An MSM for an E-5 is extremely rare. Grade aside, I don't see the the achievements listed as rising to clearly exceptional or unprecedented.
2. If you are writing other than bullets, your unit likely doesn't think as highly of your achievements as you do yourself. Granted, it isn't uncommon to provide bullets, or submit complete draft, "when requested."
3. One of those may have warranted an AFAM.
4. Let's review.
25 reusable cards-- do you mean laminated cards? Yeah, the 2,500 sounds great, but sounds exaggerated to anyone experienced. If TF Cdr thought it was that big of a deal, he would've gotten an AFAM for you, or at least a certificate of achievement.
A user guide--Again, maybe an AFAM or certificate of achievement.
0 write ups for 30 members--Your job, nothing extra. After all, you wrote a user guide.
Thanksgiving Pot Luck and other events--Standard, not extra. Events happened before you, and will next year.
Successfully deployed 100. Single handedly--Processed paperwork? Nothing extra.
4-day NCO course--standard, and you better had. Even DHG or HG of a 4-day course wouldn't be exceptional.
8 college courses--standard, and self improvement. How many hours did your Airmen complete, which may have been exceptional or likely outstanding?
This isn't big stuff.
AF standard AFI 36-2803. MSM is "Normally the acts or services rendered must be comparable to that required for the LOM, but in a duty of lesser though considerable responsibility."
Appears you meet the lesser responsibility, but not comparable to an LOM. LOM is for: "performance must have been such as to merit recognition of key individuals for service rendered in a clearly exceptional manner. Performance of duties normal to the grade, branch, specialty, assignment,
or experience of an individual is not an adequate basis for this
award. ...In peacetime, service should be in the nature of a special requirement or of an extremely difficult duty performed in an unprecedented and clearly exceptional manner."
Air Force Commendation Medal may be more appropriate. "Meritorious
achievement and service. The degree of merit must be distinctive, though it need not be unique."
5. In sum. The achievements don't rise to the MSM level, and you may have missed an opportunity for an AFAM with the user guide.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Mar 16 at 2019 5:30 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 17:30:50 -0400

Skippers (O-6 level anyways) have some award authority. I had AMs and CMs, but a limited percentage of body count I could dole out every year. MSMs had to go up for a 2 Star that was my positional boss. That 2 Star also had very limited silver bullets. I'm having to search my memory, but sense your shopping list is at the AM EOT level at best (in line where 1SG Private RallyPoint Member is coming from). Skippers need to meld their award authority with Evals/NCOERs as both must match up for promotability boosts to the slice of their command they want to highlight. Since my time, fruit salad mania is much more a plague, but I'd get slapped down hard for wasting upline's time shooting 22LRs when NSMs are in the 44 Mag territory. Just realize Skippers must manage their awards effectively to get the most out of them.

I had to put bullets into my CoC a few times in my E-1 to O-6 career, so I'm not particularly jaded as circumstance sometimes is yelling at you to look out for Number One. All those times, we had either a weak CoC that didn't pay attention, or a singular Alpha Hotel who decided to torpedo me. Just realize it definitely isn't the preferred path, and yes, there was some discomfort along the way. Perhaps my experiences pushed me to really pay attention to this stuff as I moved up myself. Still have copies of all the FITREPS/Evals, Awards, etc. I either awarded or made sure a Flag did the right thing. The HR side isn't necessarily good about getting records done right and I've had about 3-4 events where my stored paper made the difference.

BTW overshooting the mark gets read as the shooter doesn't have a clue by people who matter in career decisions.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Mar 16 at 2019 7:06 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 19:06:26 -0400

Here are some accomplishments I have from the past 1.5 years, and one from 2015: FEEDBACK: this is a very short period of time relative to an MSM.

2015: Earned Volunteer of the Month; Bronze Level President's Volunteer Service Award; Letter of Appreciation and Coin from President Obama for 116 hours of community service within the month of December, 2014 (probably too late to use this). FEEDBACK: you received recognition for this contribution. It was a fifth of what is required for a much lesser decoration. (MOVSM).

- I created 25 reusable (write-on with marker/grease pen) 9-Line MEDEVAC reference cards in support of Operation Cold Steel III - the largest live fire training exercise in USARC history - to be used by ~2,500 Army soldiers. The Task Force Commander sent an email to my chain of command thanking me for my contribution to the mission. FEEDBACK: did you,plan or coordinate any of this exercise? Support to the exercise? You created a training aid that is actually available as a GTA. What is good, is that you've bridged the action to the approving authority level.

- Effective 1 Jan 19, all Air Force deployers are required to complete an electronic Deployment Requirements Checklist (e-DRC) and electronic Air Force Deployment Folder (e-AFDF). These requirements added a ridiculous amount of work and confusion for UDMs and all Air Force members. I saw this as an opportunity to mitigate the issues by creating a comprehensive, step-by-step guide complete with pictures that allows even the least experienced Airmen to complete all requirements with little or no help from their UDM. I shared this guide with the Installation Deployment Officer, who was so impressed that she sent it to all UDMs within her scope of influence, spanning multiple wings and other agencies to be used by ~5,200 Airmen, saving UDMs an average of 2-3 hours of work per member. I have received countless compliments from Officers, SNCOs, NCOs, and Airmen who were all grateful for the guide. I'm currently in the process of having it reviewed and hopefully published Air Force wide. FEEDBACK: this is your strongest bullet. With an MSM you have to bridge the result or contribution to the approval authority level mission. You do need to retool this to be a situation, task, action, result. Especially showing that your procedure and process was adopted outside the command.

- I was the key player responsible for ensuring my squadron had 0 write-ups on our e-DRC/e-AFDF for our recent MOBEX - which "deployed" 39 members. FEEDBACK. Write up or Deficiencies? Was this exercise externally evaluated? When you say key player, did you build or maintain the process? Did you lead the team to accomplish this goal? Were your actions critical to the success of the operation? Again bridge this back to the approval authority level mission and impact.

- As my squadron's primary SABC instructor, I instructed ~66 MSG/MDG members during last year's MOBEX; along with ~100 additional squadron members in support of deployment/exercises; and one member from another squadron who was tasked with a short-notice deployment and had no instructors within his unit. FEEDBACK. Helping another unit is good. Bridge to approval authority mission.

- I completed 8 college courses, maintaining a 3.5 GPA, earning 24 credits toward a Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts. FEEDBACK. This isn't really an award bullet. While an admirable accomplishment, it is more of a personal achievement, vice one that supports the unit, which will eventually be rewarded with an academic degree.

- I successfully deployed nearly 100 unit members in support of AFRICOM and CENTCOM operations. fEED BACK. You need to raft all the deployment related material together for continuity sake. When you do this, it shows a pattern and more importantly, a program with systems and processes you can show directly co tributes to the two star level mission success.

- As my unit's 5/6 Vice President, I oversaw 4 professional development/social/and squadron events to include personally organizing the unit's Thanksgiving Potluck, feeding ~200 unit members and their families. fEEDBACk. Perhaps raft this with the volunteer achievements to show a pattern of caring for others, I would lead with the deployment readiness items and trail with this.

- Completed 4-Day NCO Professional Enhancement Course. FEEDBACK. Completing a course would not be a bullet I'd use. If you went and sought this course on your own to fill a critical unit need or mission gap, then may be. I'd certainly trail with this, if it all.

I have tons of smaller things, but I figured I'd see what you all think of the bigger stuff. I would greatly appreciate any advice so I can write an effective award package for myself... FEEDBACK. Several "smaller things" that go together could be a recommendation bullet if they contribute directly and are over and above the norm.

Feedback. I hate that you are having to do this. Perhaps just giving some accomplishments, but drafting the whole thing?

Professional development. I am unfamiliar with the Air Force Award form. The DA form 638 has four blocks, referred to as bullets. You maybe get four sentences in the block. Generally I tried to follow the situation, task, action, and result...bridged to the approval authority level (STAR) is what I used. Use plain language, but call things by their doctrinal/regulatory terms. Spell out acronyms. Where people get in trouble is they recycle someone else's award and use words they are unfamiliar with, incorrectly, to make it sound "award-ish". If it needs churching up, the recommender needs to do that.

Then you have the citation. The personnel section usually has a template for the citation for each award with a set number of,lines. I'd call them to see if you can get award citation templates for each.

Generally speaking, decorations are awarded on the level of responsibility, manner of performance, relative risk/sacrifice. The way it is written must show that the level of responsibility and manner of performance will be recognized by a the approval authority in addition to their recognition/acceptance of the subordinate recommenders (their credibility) word.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2019 10:24 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 22:24:10 -0400

I don't see it, to be honest.
My general rule when I guide folks on what level of award to recommend breaks down to three metrics:
1. Responsibility level - generally corresponds to rank, but not exactly.
2. Duration - How long a meritorious deed or service was undertaken. I.E. command for three years weighs more than command for 9 months.
3. Achievement - that is, what did you actually accomplish with that time and responsibility.
Using that, I see a weak AF Com, or a really strong AFAM. Might be able to parlay that guide into a stand alone AFAM and a second one for service.

Sorry Ssgt, but the level of all three metrics doesn't approach MSM level, in my opinion. And I've seen a lot of awards.

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made Mar 16 at 2019 10:36 PM

MSG Frank Kapaun — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 22:36:52 -0400

Son, you ain’t quite got the collar strength for an MSM yet.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Mar 17 at 2019 12:12 AM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 00:12:12 -0400

I agree with most of what has been said, I don't see it rising to that level.

What I was always taught was that you have to impact the approving authority's mission (which is what LTC Jason Mackay was driving at in his feedback). I am not sure of the exact approval authority and unit structure in the AF, but in the Army, a MSM is going to the Division Commander (who is usually also the Base Commander, but not always) - the CG (Commanding General).
In order to get an MSM approved, you ha E to demonstrate to that CG that you, personally, impacted the Division's mission - your impact was felt all the way up to that level. It may be that you did have this sort of impact, but the way it reads to me I cannot justify it. If you feel that it IS justified, than you need to sit down with a swordsmith and demonstrate that level of impact. (Again, LTC Jason Mackay has great advice for crafting your bullets.)

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Mar 17 at 2019 5:10 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 05:10:11 -0400

These are all great bullets for an Achievement Medal... Commendation at most.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2019 8:48 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 08:48:12 -0400

The level of award at first glance for anyone always looks rank/grade-based.
It is and it isn't. It is level of influence or impact-based, and that level generally comes along with the duty position that is rank/grade-based.
MSM is usually based on how well someone at BN and BDE (Squadron and Wing) level expanded their sphere of influence above and/or outside that level for a lasting positive impact on their own and other formations.
Your e-DRC checklist is one good example for an MSM, that had a positive impact on every wing on your installation. An MSM would need to be four achievements like this.
Everything else you mention is AFAM to AFCM level, except college, that goes on your EPR, not an award.

And when you say you are writing an effective award package for yourself, do you mean your supervisor asked you for all the highlights to help him write your recommendation?

Response by SP5 Dennis Dorsey made Mar 17 at 2019 11:47 AM

SP5 Dennis Dorsey — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 11:47:20 -0400

while I see any award as a recognition of achievement, I have never felt that I ,alone, deserved it. we always worked and thought of ourselves as a "team". I always felt that if one deserved an award, then all should receive the same.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2019 12:03 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 12:03:06 -0400

Don't think folks should write their own awards. I got an MSM for serving 20 years, and didn't expect it. Received in the mail after retirement.

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Mar 17 at 2019 3:04 PM

MAJ Raúl Rovira — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 15:04:08 -0400

At least in my Army days, the MSM normally considers the "level of responsibility" and the "impact of the achievement in direct support of the "unit's mission".

Anything of (1) volunteer (which can be an achievement medal or MOVSM) or (2) college self-development, or (3) required mandatory training should be excluded.

Think STAR: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Not that you have to write it this way. As I read what you did, I can't clearly paint a picture of "how" you were a key player. or "how" you successfully deployed personnel. I use these as examples.

When I read your accomplishments I think of an MOVSM and an AF Commendation Medal.

You clearly show a lot of strong work ethics, responsibility, performance and credibility. I encourage you to continue. Perhaps samples from approved awards for service members around your grade can help.

I will share, I commanded for 33 months and filled in as HR Director for the base. My recent boss before I PCS recommended me for an Army Commendation Medal. His reason was that he got screwed as a captain when At Fort Hood. Therefore, he believed that no captain company commander should get an MSM regardless.

This is to show that timing is important and having the right leaders in the chain.

Response by LTC John Layton made Mar 17 at 2019 3:32 PM

LTC John Layton — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 15:32:36 -0400

SSgt Mace,
In reading above and the replies below, I wonder why you would ask this of the panel here? All medals awarded should always be deemed as recognition from your superiors for a job well done; based on meeting a set of criteria. I agree with 1SG that perhaps a AFAM could be warranted. But you have to look at the other side of the issue, that being that you received the recognition that was warranted to the specific set of criteria. The criteria for the awarding of a Purple Heart is an easy one to deduce. Your's is not. Medals are often recommended, but are more often downgraded to a lesser medal, because the full set of criteria did not pass the test for approval 100%. You have been trained to do a job, you should always be more concerned with doing that job and giving 110% at all times. Awards and medals come from selfless acts and not from a job you are paid to do and trained to do!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2019 5:23 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 17:23:11 -0400

End of tour award? May rise to the level of AFCM, if there have been a couple of AFAMs among those bullet points. In my day this would be AFAM territory.

As a point of character, I always declined the opportunity to write my own awards.

Response by SPC Chris Ison made Mar 18 at 2019 3:47 AM

SPC Chris Ison — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 03:47:06 -0400

Community Service and volunteer work has its own medal.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Outstanding_Volunteer_Service_Medal

Laminating paper is not a fucking accomplishment.

I am not sure what this "checklist" is.

If you are a specific type of instructor, and you instruct people, that is your job.

Going to college is not worthy of an award.

How do YOU specifically deploy 100 airmen?

Organizing a potluck is well, a potluck.

4 day enhancement course? that is just ongoing professional development.

So most of this shit would be BULLET points for your NCOER, not worthy of an award, but worth mentioning in an eval as it MIGHT set you apart, have no idea what the other guys in your unit have or have not done.

Most awards are given for exception service above what one would "expect" from a service member based on grade.

A PFC (E-3) in the Army would not get an award for being an exceptional guy at PT. But, that would be a bullet point for an NCO, i.e. consistently scores in the top 10% for APFT.

However a PFC, SHOULD get an award for say calling in a successful air strike, mortar fire, or artillery strike as part of a field training deployment to JRTC or NTC, as if he had done this, and it saved lives in the process, during a war, he would be awarded the bronze star, and if he was under heavy fire, he would receive the Silver Star. He would be awarded these because a PFC, may not know enough to do this, and being able to do it effectively at that level is 100% exceptional.

There is an unspoken tier for awards, and it varies by branch. The navy doesn't give out achievement medals to E-5 and below, you do something exceptional in the navy as a Petty Officer you get a flag letter of commendation, gives you the same 2 points for promotion, but you don't wear it on the uniform. I have seen the army hand out achievement medals to E-4 and E-3's. There was a time that you had to be in the service a MINIMUM of 10 years before you could even qualify for an MSM. I think they removed that though so they could award them to junior officers.

The ONLY enlisted personnel I have seen with an MSM is ALWAYS a senior (staff level) NCO. E-7 and above.

You Might be able to get an Air Force Commendation medal for your checklist guide thingy, really not sure what that is about.

Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal - Wikipedia

The Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (MOVSM) is a military award which was created under Executive Order 12830 by George H. W. Bush on January 9, 1993. The medal was designed by the Institute of Heraldry and was first issued in December 1993.[5][6]

Response by SSG Dave Johnston made Mar 18 at 2019 9:45 PM

SSG Dave Johnston — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 21:45:14 -0400

Sounds like a typical day in the office to me; now if you were assigned to Incirlik AFB and did something above and beyond then maybe... Look, to earn "shiny sparkelie baubles"...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2019 6:22 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 06:22:19 -0400

Im going to have to agree and say no, alot of this is just you doing your job. Also you shouldn't be writing your own award

Response by MAJ Judd Clemens made Mar 22 at 2019 1:03 PM

MAJ Judd Clemens — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 13:03:14 -0400

I don't care if you walk on water making very slight indentations. NOTHING merits writing yourself up for an award.

Response by SGT Charles Bartell made Mar 23 at 2019 5:15 PM

SGT Charles Bartell — Sat, 23 Mar 2019 17:15:46 -0400

Wow you must be so proud of your self.
Most of the rest of us work our ass off and do not get a good job.
Do you know why ? Because it is our job.
I Volunteerd at the Air Mens Attic on Egline AIR FORCE base for three Years on all most all of my days off. Using my own truck and gas to get stuff that was donated and take stuff to peoples homes that had no other way to get it. Then the Katrina hit. I moved tons of Clothes and other goods.
Still doing all this with the days off from 6th RTB. None of the people that had been working at the AIRMANS ATTIC on EGLIN AFB.
was thanked. Not even the Lady that had been runing it.
Then Katrrina hit. The officers wives club jump in taking credit for all the work that hand been done before. Funny gas was being cut off at five gallons, But the O-Club wives where given gas cards and all kinds of credit that they had not earned.
I think you might want to track some of them down to see if they still are full of themselfs.

Response by CMSgt Scott Haskins made Mar 26 at 2019 12:58 PM

CMSgt Scott Haskins — Tue, 26 Mar 2019 12:58:10 -0400

SSgt Mace. I reviewed hundreds of awards package, EPR's & medals during my years as a superintendent. You have some good accomplishments but none that would compel to me to write an MSM. Maybe an ACM. One question though: Who was manning the shop while you spent 116 hours (@3 weeks) doing community service?

Response by SSG Mike Merritt made Mar 26 at 2019 2:28 PM

SSG Mike Merritt — Tue, 26 Mar 2019 14:28:36 -0400

None of that warrants an MSM. There is nothing there that exceeds what it expected of your job.

Response by SPC Stephen Walsh made Mar 27 at 2019 12:48 PM

SPC Stephen Walsh — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 12:48:18 -0400

Should be a General They give themselves medals all the time.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2019 12:03 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 12:03:57 -0400

I personally feel the MSM is held in too high regards, many people feel they're rank dependent and expect MOH level accomplishment for one, that you need to be an E8 or 9 and get it as a retirement award, also the intermediate signature authorities use their made up "denied" authority because they don't want to be seen as the guy who "recommends downgrade".

That being said, I don't see it here. Some of the stuff you were already awarded for, so you can't be awarded again for it, like the volunteer stuff.
0 write-ups is not an accomplishment, that's doing your job to standard.
Education isn't really awardable- you'll get the award when you finish your degree.
NCO PD courses are expected to be passed

Response by 1SG John Baize made Mar 28 at 2019 12:44 PM

1SG John Baize — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 12:44:16 -0400

No, and no, you don't do your own write up.

Response by 1SG John Baize made Mar 28 at 2019 12:44 PM

1SG John Baize — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 12:44:54 -0400

No, and no, you don't do your own write up.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Apr 3 at 2019 10:34 AM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 10:34:53 -0400

An honest assessment of what I have read so far. Nothing I have read would give me an the impression of being noteworthy for an MSM. What is your job/mos, what are the job requirements for the position, where have you excelled at that level? 9 line MEDEVAC cards, not really something that pushes you over the top. Creating a guide to use an Air force System, did this get adopted through out the AF, that would be a good comment possibly. But not a strong one for the level of that award.
NCO school for 4 days, were you the distinguished grad? Then no not really a news worthy event for an award recommendation.
Thanksgiving potluck, would not even mention it.
Aiding in the deployment of 100 people, what did that entail, was it part of your normal duties, and were you the only person who did it, or were you part of a team?
Level III volunteer, this may meet the criteria for the Volunteer Service Medal. An achievement Medal or possibly an Commendation Level award, but not an MSM on what is written here, unless you are retiring and the command wants to care of you. Sorry to be blunt, but I don't see it, maybe others do?

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2019 12:09 PM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 12:09:29 -0400

If you worked for me, I would recommend you for the MSM. Doesn't mean you would get it, but what you have done is more than most others do.

Response by CPL Irvin Allen made Apr 13 at 2019 11:39 AM

CPL Irvin Allen — Sat, 13 Apr 2019 11:39:01 -0400

I got an ARCOM for saving my battle after we were hit by an EFP and fought off an ambush so dustoff could land. I have a feeling I may have gotten a little screwed on that ordeal.

Response by SSG Gerald King made Apr 15 at 2019 10:57 AM

SSG Gerald King — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 10:57:29 -0400

As a SSG (E6) I received the MSM. I got out of the Army in November 1975 after 10 years of service and never learned of the Award until 2006 when I requested a copy of my military records and list of awards. The date on the orders awarding me the MSM was January 1976. Took me 30 years to learn of my award.

Response by CWO3 Warren Gaudreau made Apr 19 at 2019 12:14 PM

CWO3 Warren Gaudreau — Fri, 19 Apr 2019 12:14:45 -0400

Your accomplishments seem to be commendable, but I think you already patted yourself on the back. Continue your efforts and someone may eventually give you a medal.

Response by BG Edward Burley made May 7 at 2019 10:17 PM

BG Edward Burley — Tue, 07 May 2019 22:17:02 -0400

SSG Mace, you have some great accomplishments there. However, it's definitely not MSM level.
(1) MSM is for sustained effort - 1 1/2 years is not enough. Normally it would be for a command team at the battalion level or higher after 3 years.
(2) Some of these accomplishments have already been recognized and awarded: you got a letter and coin from the President, and you received a letter of commendation. You don't get double awards.
(3) College courses and NCOPD courses count towards promotion points, but they don't count towards awards. Those things are their own reward: you learn.
Just some thoughts from someone who has had approval authority for MSMs.

Response by SSG Mark Ledford made May 10 at 2019 10:12 PM

SSG Mark Ledford — Fri, 10 May 2019 22:12:06 -0400

I SERVED IN THE USMC,USMCR. NATIONAL GUARD, US NAVY,US ARMY, US ARMY RESERVE, ( US COAST GUARD AUXILIARY) I RECEIVED AT LEAST 5 COAST GUARD MEDALS. ALSO THE TEXAS STATE GUARD WHERE I ATTENDED THE U.S.AIR FORCE A &B NCO ACADEMY (AIR UNIVERSITY). I WAS TOLD WHILE IN THE ARMY I WOULD RECEIVE AFAM .STILL WAITING ON IT AFTER SINCE 1995. HAVEN'T GOT IT YET OR MY DD-214. SO WHY NOT? WITH RESPECT. THANKS.

Response by SGT Mark Saint Cyr made May 11 at 2019 1:00 AM

SGT Mark Saint Cyr — Sat, 11 May 2019 01:00:57 -0400

Air Force Achievement medal...maybe. MSM? You're out of your mind.

I have seen senior NCOs go their entire career, 20+ years, have 2 or 3 commendation medals of various sorts, and then get an MSM for a retirement medal.

You've worked a year an a half?

Mention this to someone in your chain of command. Then let us know how long it takes for them to stop laughing?

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made May 11 at 2019 4:10 AM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sat, 11 May 2019 04:10:13 -0400

Are you serious? Is you one of those ‘trolls’s surfacing again?!!

Response by SGT Charles Bartell made May 12 at 2019 1:02 PM

SGT Charles Bartell — Sun, 12 May 2019 13:02:47 -0400

In The ARMY that is called doing your JOB. But from all thing you say you did in one month you must not have any work to do in your job. By the way All of that deployment stuff you are blowing your own horn about is a Army medic's job.
We Train every one on life saving skills.
Mack sure every one as a Lamanated 9Line med-e-vac card.
Mack sure every ones medical recards are up to date.
That is just the start we also train with the line guys, And learn there jobs and do them too as needed.
by the way most of this is done on our time.
I would strongly sujest that you get over your self.

Response by LCpl Stephen Arnold made May 17 at 2019 1:20 PM

LCpl Stephen Arnold — Fri, 17 May 2019 13:20:34 -0400

I hope to hell this is satire!

Response by MAJ Howard Manwarren made May 26 at 2019 4:50 PM

MAJ Howard Manwarren — Sun, 26 May 2019 16:50:38 -0400

Sorry, no.

Response by MAJ Howard Manwarren made May 26 at 2019 4:53 PM

MAJ Howard Manwarren — Sun, 26 May 2019 16:53:29 -0400

Hahaha, no. Truthfully most of this civilian stuff is worthless. And the rest of it sounds like doing your job. I would say you were in line for a nice certificate of achievement or an Air Force achievement medal.

Response by Capt John Schubert made May 29 at 2019 4:33 PM

Capt John Schubert — Wed, 29 May 2019 16:33:14 -0400

No. SSgt is not getting an MSM and thats not even close to meeting the level needed. I saved an Airman going into shock on a remote overseas assignment, did similar volunteer work and got HQ and top score in a command wide competition (Guardian Challenge) and just got an Achievement. I was perfectly happy with it as I already had a good ribbon rack (2nd Achievement, outstanding unit, etc).

I would say only write your own award if your supervisor asked you to do it. That said, keep records similar to a write up so when its time to write up an Awards/Dec or Performance report, you are set to go.

Response by PO2 Paul Dempsey made Jul 15 at 2019 2:43 PM

PO2 Paul Dempsey — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 14:43:48 -0400

Sorry but nope. Sounds like you did your job. I've done as much and only got great evals. Was happy for that.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2019 5:43 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 17:43:56 -0400

So I'm looking at this from a Navy point of view since i don't know what half of that stuff your talking about is. First thing volunteer work follows under MOVSM, not a MSM. Second and like I said i'm navy not air force i have never seen an E5 get a MSM, if you were to route one up in the Navy for doing your job the chain of command would laugh at you. Most people in the Military don't get a lot of awards I've been to 2 ships and currently on my shore duty and only have 2 achievement awards and i worked my ass off to only have gotten the 2. The biggest take away i want you to have in the Navy an MSM is award usually to CO of ships like DDGs, PCs, MCMs, and or dets. most of which are commanding a large groups of people i.e. for the DDG 300 plus. Or enlisted who receive it are E8 or E9s who usually where Senior enlisted leaders or Command Master Chiefs.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Jul 15 at 2019 9:59 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 21:59:47 -0400

Stupid question. Do you think Obama signed it personally. You sound like you are ate up with yourself

Response by SSG Shawn Mcfadden made Jul 19 at 2019 1:18 PM

SSG Shawn Mcfadden — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 13:18:09 -0400

NO. The comments you wrote(If you truly did these things) MAY help you get an ARCOM(or Airforce equivalent), but not an MSM.

Response by SFC Robert Walton made Jul 29 at 2019 9:02 AM

SFC Robert Walton — Mon, 29 Jul 2019 09:02:55 -0400

This is about 4months old but found a need to post anyway, I had to think long and hard to not be too harsh.
So you think you deserve an award for doing your job and a few volunteer items that basically you have been awarded or reconised for? Well Go for it some people like being embarassed. I was so arrogant that as a SGT. E-5 i asked my Platoon Leader for a Letter of Appreciation For volunteering for a BN weapons range for an SSG. whose wife was having a baby that day Not from my Squad or PLT. but from another PLT. My P/L looked at me smiled and walked away. I also did not push the issue For some reason my name started coming up on the range list all the time after that. When I left that unit I had a nice bullet comment on my EER covering all the ranges I voluntold you for. I got boarded for SSG. before I PCS'ed but no PCS award. Kind of how my whole career went. When I retired 22yrs service I was getting an MSM I was not aware of it until the ceremony it didn't even phase me. After the Ceremony I was informed it would be sent to my home of record. I did come to my home of record I opened it was awesome but had no orders with it. So goes the War.
So what is my point you may ask? Well when you have done enough to earn an award you may have to ask for it but you should never have to write it. MTC

Response by SSgt Daniel d'Errico made Jul 29 at 2019 3:00 PM

SSgt Daniel d'Errico — Mon, 29 Jul 2019 15:00:40 -0400

First writing in the third person of your accomplishments is the worse way of placing yourself in for any award. You must write a award recomendation for awards in the way your supervisor would. He embellishs your accomplishments. Never write in the third person. Using too many abbreviations will confuse the reader(s). Make the reader(s) of the recomendation for any award interested in your writing. Soliticing for advise on how to write a better awards recomendation, will create a fast track to trash can your award.

Response by CPT Daniel Cox made Feb 1 at 2020 7:52 AM

CPT Daniel Cox — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 07:52:15 -0500

Just know that as a 1st Lieutenant I received an Army Achievement Medal on the first day it was issued and two other AAMs as the Chemical Officer for the 7th ID DIVARTY. I was told by my boss (the new DIVARTY S-3) that I was being put in for an MSM and expected it when I was transferred to the ROK. Lo and behold, it never appeared nor did anything else. When I asked they just said they decided not to. It shows it isn't just Enlisted soldiers abused by their chain-of-command.
For that first AAM, they tried to give me the first one ever issued by having the ceremony at 0700. instead of the normal 1600. I never found out if any other units presented them in the morning and kept me from having the honor.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Jul 16 at 2020 10:09 PM

MSG John Duchesneau — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 22:09:59 -0400

Your only "crime" is being an E-5. MSMs are usually awarded to E-6s and higher.