Awards
Awards
Posted on Jan 16, 2026
A Specialist was the first on scene to help passengers in a car crash. How do I push this to get him recognized?
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I was notified that one of our specialists in my platoon pulled over to provide aid and call 911 for a t-bone incident between a semi truck and a pickup truck. He doesnt have police reports that mention him in the incident, but he says he called 911 and checked on the drivers to ensure they were OK (pickup truck was hit on the bed, not the cab so that driver has minor injuries). How can I bring this up to get him a state or federal award? Will him not providing life-sustaining support affect if they'll even bother recognizing him since all he really did was call 911 and check on the drivers? Thanks!
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Awards
Awards
Posted 1 mo ago
Responses: 11
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If all that was really done was call 911, the SM completed a civic duty that barely warrants a certificate of appreciation. We need to be careful that we do not attach awards as an expectation of performing a civic duty.
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MAJ Byron Oyler
2LT(P) (Join to see) While most agree there is not much here for an award, do not lose sight of the fact you are thinking about your SM. That is huge and always be a servant leader.
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SFC John Skaarup
I have to agree with Maj. Oyler here, What the Soldier did was absolutely the right thing in stopping, checking on the drivers, and calling 911 is exactly what any responsible citizen should do. It reflects well on him and on the unit, but in my opinion this falls under basic civic duty, not the threshold for a state or federal lifesaving award.
Since there was no documented lifesaving intervention, no personal risk, and no direct impact on the medical outcome, higher‑level awards simply aren’t going to move. That doesn’t diminish the fact that he acted responsibly, it just means the recognition should match the action.
A commander’s coin and/or a shout‑out at battalion formation would be more than appropriate. It reinforces the right behavior, gives the Soldier public credit, and keeps award standards aligned with what they’re intended for.
That’s the level of recognition I’d recommend.
Since there was no documented lifesaving intervention, no personal risk, and no direct impact on the medical outcome, higher‑level awards simply aren’t going to move. That doesn’t diminish the fact that he acted responsibly, it just means the recognition should match the action.
A commander’s coin and/or a shout‑out at battalion formation would be more than appropriate. It reinforces the right behavior, gives the Soldier public credit, and keeps award standards aligned with what they’re intended for.
That’s the level of recognition I’d recommend.
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SPC Joseph Kenny
SFC John Skaarup - This is what I was thinking as well. A shout out recognizes and reinforces the behavior in the SM and other troops as well.
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One would think the appropriate award would be the Soldier's Medal. But, looking at the criteria in AR 600-8-22 and what you described, would not warrant the Soldier's Medal. An Army Achievement Medal or the Army Commendation Medal would be more likely to be awarded. The criteria for the Soldier's Medal is below.
3–15. Soldier’s Medal
a. The SM was established by Act of Congress 2 July 1926 in accordance with 10 USC 7280.
b. EO 13830 authorizes the SECARMY to award the SM to any person of the Armed Forces of the
United States or of a friendly foreign nation who, while serving in any capacity with the Army of the United States, including RC Soldiers not serving in a duty status, as defined in 10 USC 101(d)(1), at the time of the heroic act, distinguished themselves by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy.
c. The minimum degree of heroism required is comparable to that of the DFC for heroism. The extraordinary act must have resulted in an accomplishment so exceptional and outstanding as to clearly set the individual apart from their comrades or from other persons in similar circumstances.
d. The heroism must have involved a clearly recognizable personal hazard or danger and the voluntary
risk of life under conditions not involving conflict with an armed enemy.
e. Awards will not be made solely based on saving a life, assisting emergency personnel, or acting as a
good Samaritan.
f. The SM may be awarded for noncombat heroism in a combat zone, or an area designated for imminent danger pay, hostile fire pay, or hazardous duty pay.
(1) Since the SM is only awarded for noncombat heroism, the “V” and “C” devices are not authorized.
(2) This determination must be made solely on the specific circumstances of the event.
(3) If the heroism to be recognized was performed under combat conditions, a decoration for valor is
the appropriate award.
g. If downgraded, an SM recommendation will be downgraded to an ARCOM.
h. All SM award recommendations will be forwarded to the Chief, ADB, HRC for determination.
3–15. Soldier’s Medal
a. The SM was established by Act of Congress 2 July 1926 in accordance with 10 USC 7280.
b. EO 13830 authorizes the SECARMY to award the SM to any person of the Armed Forces of the
United States or of a friendly foreign nation who, while serving in any capacity with the Army of the United States, including RC Soldiers not serving in a duty status, as defined in 10 USC 101(d)(1), at the time of the heroic act, distinguished themselves by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy.
c. The minimum degree of heroism required is comparable to that of the DFC for heroism. The extraordinary act must have resulted in an accomplishment so exceptional and outstanding as to clearly set the individual apart from their comrades or from other persons in similar circumstances.
d. The heroism must have involved a clearly recognizable personal hazard or danger and the voluntary
risk of life under conditions not involving conflict with an armed enemy.
e. Awards will not be made solely based on saving a life, assisting emergency personnel, or acting as a
good Samaritan.
f. The SM may be awarded for noncombat heroism in a combat zone, or an area designated for imminent danger pay, hostile fire pay, or hazardous duty pay.
(1) Since the SM is only awarded for noncombat heroism, the “V” and “C” devices are not authorized.
(2) This determination must be made solely on the specific circumstances of the event.
(3) If the heroism to be recognized was performed under combat conditions, a decoration for valor is
the appropriate award.
g. If downgraded, an SM recommendation will be downgraded to an ARCOM.
h. All SM award recommendations will be forwarded to the Chief, ADB, HRC for determination.
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Kudos to him.
Make a request to the police department involved for the 911 call, any and all police body and dash cam footage, and all reports associated with the accident.
I would think a Certificate of appreciation would be the appropriate award, maybe an Army Achievement medal.
Make a request to the police department involved for the 911 call, any and all police body and dash cam footage, and all reports associated with the accident.
I would think a Certificate of appreciation would be the appropriate award, maybe an Army Achievement medal.
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