Posted on Nov 3, 2016
Put in for MSM-Downgraded to ARCOM. Signed order issued 6yr ago as MSM (ARNG). I'm in the ANG and want it fixed. Advice? Suggestions?
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Posted in these groups: 
Awards
Deployment
Awards Deployment
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 11
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I had three MSM's downgraded to ARCOM before my MSM was approved for my retirement award. Two were re-writes. The one that wasn't a re-write means more to me than an MSM. The CW2 that wrote it fought it through to the BDE Commander and caused him to have to sign the downgrade. IMO that took fortitude and set a good example on how to treat Soldiers and NCO's under you.
My point is, an award isn't just promotion points. Sometimes it tells a greater story.
My point is, an award isn't just promotion points. Sometimes it tells a greater story.
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SFC (Join to see)
Something I think that some officers forget that if an award is downgraded, the DA Form 638 recommending the higher award goes into your OMPF as well as the DA Form 4980-whatever for the downgraded award you received and can be viewed by centralized boards. Will it make a difference on getting promoted or not? Maybe, maybe not. I also see it from the point of view of the downgrading officer. Sending up an award that they know is going to be downgraded or has a chance to be downgraded just adds to the work load of the approving authority.
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SSG Trevor S.
SFC (Join to see) - If the downgrading officer has that viewpoint, maybe they re-evaluate their own view of their position.
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Not how we do in the Corps, majority of the time YOU have no idea that you have been recommended for an award. The whole purpose of letting the person know that he is recommended is so if the award gets down graded there is no ass pain. So I would say suck it up, wear what you got with pride and keep charging! Asking for an upgrade on an award looks real bitchy to me. We don't do the promotion point deal for awards in this gun club. Semper Fi.
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CSM Richard StCyr
You usually don't know in the Army either until you get the award if everything is running as it should. I've fought tooth and nail and done office calls to push for guys, but I can't imagine asking for an upgrade on my own awards. Would fear being seen as an ungrateful glory hound.
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TSgt (Join to see)
Obviously you guys did not understand the issue or I didn't explain it very well. I was awarded an MSM but I was told it was downgraded. I am not requesting my award be upgraded. I was trying to get it down-graded to what I was told it was going to be. My BN fought for weeks with the COS to get the MSM. I'm happy with any award I get and I'd never ask to have an award upgraded because I think I deserve it. I just wanted everything to match and after working with my Chief, it really was awarded/ordered/signed as an MSM so this is a moot point. We don't use points for promotion in the ANG so I could care less about that aspect.
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Unfortunately, many awards get approved/denied based on the recipient's rank regardless of accomplishment. If the original was downgraded, I wouldn't hold much hope of having the ARCOM upgraded to an MSM. There is always an exception to every rule so nothing lost by giving it a shot. I'd send the request to AFPC and see what happens.
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