Would you rather receive an award or a promotion?

SFC Nikhil Kumra — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 07:55:06 -0400

So I was pondering this the other day, and for me this pertains to my civilian career rather than military.

I received a recent promotion, which was officially announced on the same day that a few of my peers received an award for things that they had accomplished.

My question, whether you are referring to military service or your civilian career, would you rather receive an award for an accomplishment or a promotion with more money and benefits?

Response by PO1 Russell Henson made Sep 16 at 2015 8:09 AM

PO1 Russell Henson — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 08:09:55 -0400

Promotion. Rewards come few and far between. Plus rewards can't feed you or provide shelter.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2015 8:10 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 08:10:39 -0400

Promote!

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2015 8:29 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 08:29:01 -0400

Promotion. It's an award itself so you are receiving essentially both.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2015 1:53 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 13:53:36 -0400

No Brainer...promo!!! (I'm likely to get the award later, anyway!!!)

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2015 3:29 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 15:29:01 -0400

In almost all cases, the tangible benefits of a promotion outweigh the "feel good" of an award.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2015 12:09 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 12:09:58 -0400

Honestly, I would rather get the award for a great job. Why? Because, I may not be ready for that promotion yet, and when I am ready, that award will help facilitate that promotion.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2015 7:57 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 07:57:44 -0400

Promotion! This last board has shown me that the efforts I make we're for a lasting tangible results and not recognition! A lot of my peer group were overlooked in this promotion! I'm not special tab trained or Some elite military club or the biggest PT stud, but my hard work and my Soldiers give me the biggest award!

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2016 7:49 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 07:49:55 -0500

I tried spending my award certificates - couldn't buy anything.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2016 10:39 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 10:39:26 -0500

Show me the money, certificates and coins wont buy beans, beer or bullets.

Response by SSgt Michael Cox made Dec 1 at 2016 6:09 PM

SSgt Michael Cox — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 18:09:05 -0500

Promotions only if you or they are ready for them. In my 14 years of service in the Air Force I saw far to many new E-5s that thought they had just gotten promoted to GOD and only thought about themselves and didn't know how to take care of there troops.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2016 11:14 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 23:14:21 -0500

Call me crazy but, I'd go for a award. Reason being is that, I would try to prolong the promotion just to reach the 20yr mark and possibly retire. Since at the rank of Maj is a in or out situation.

Response by SP5 John Malloy made May 12 at 2018 9:51 PM

SP5 John Malloy — Sat, 12 May 2018 21:51:36 -0400

Awards mean nothing outside of the jacket. Promotions take care of the bills, but if the experience isn’t matching then the money isn’t worth the mishaps that make come with the inexperienced person inside of a leadership position.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2019 11:33 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Nov 2019 11:33:58 -0500

Definitely promotion

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 9 at 2020 1:35 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 13:35:29 -0500

Depends on the award. I'll take a Medal of Honor over a promotion ;) The monthly stipend is higher.

Response by PO1 Ted Woitazek made Jun 15 at 2021 12:48 PM

PO1 Ted Woitazek — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 12:48:09 -0400

Awards are usually points on an exam or a bullet on a fit rep that aid in promotion.

Response by TSgt David Marti made Jun 21 at 2022 7:26 PM

TSgt David Marti — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 19:26:41 -0400

A promotion! An award doesn't put food on the table!

Response by SSG Byron Hewett made Jun 22 at 2022 2:01 PM

SSG Byron Hewett — Wed, 22 Jun 2022 14:01:06 -0400

Awards = promotion points, I'd rather hold down that promotion list for next available slot comes because it may be for my best advantage to wait and possibly get the slot I want.