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A military member with 28 years of service will retire soon. After the member PCA'd/PCS'd into the unit, all of the members performance reports are "rock solid".
Should the member be entitled to a retirement medal I.e. MSM or higher.
Should the members entire record or the records from the previous unit be used?
Should the member be entitled to a retirement medal I.e. MSM or higher.
Should the members entire record or the records from the previous unit be used?
Awards
Medals
Retirement
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 26
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They aren't "given", they have been "earned" based on whole career performance record. A retiree is no longer competing for promotion, so disregard the points value of the CM or MSM. The bigger question should be, did this person disgrace themselves (and the branch of service) over the length of their career enough that you feel the need to send that strong of a message at their retirement ceremony (no, you are not worthy of a retirement medal)?
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MSgt Matthew Meindl
Splitting hairs now. The original question posed was an in general question (applies to all). If a person has reasons for not wanting certain medals, respect their wishes.
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MSgt Joseph Haynes
We see too many retirement medals that are based solely on the achievements since the last medal. I've seen MSgts who were stellar performers and leaders only AM or ACM. That is a slap in the face and politics at its worst.
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MSgt Matthew Meindl
My retirement official (my squadron commander) took the time to ask me which bullets in my APR/EPR'S meant the most to me and he also looked them over. He then put together a history on me by reading the select bullets sequentially, painting a picture of my career. #MINDBLOWN Really helped support the concept of the retirement medal. My supervisor had informed me that some management would probably fight the MSM going to a "Junior MSGT", but he wrote it and saw it through.
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It seems traditional to do it. Kinda like a "lifetime achievement award" The only thing that's unfair about it is that higher ranks get higher awards. I don't believe there should be any rank criteria on the awards; Obviously higher ranks get higher scope of responsibility. It should look into account of performance over your career in comparison to others of your rank and position.
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MSgt (Join to see)
I agree with you on the rank and file issue. I was submitted for a MSM by the 82d Airborne (Gen Shelton era) for performing CPR on a paratrooper inflight, while stationed at Pope AFB. It was denied due to my rank (E4) by my commander.
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MSgt (Join to see)
MSgt (Join to see) - Been there. Filled a E-6/7 billet on a deployment as an E-4 with a line for 5 and had a medal downgraded because of my rank
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MSgt (Join to see) Hell yeah they should get a Retirement Award (if eligible). Army uses the last 10 years of your career for the time frame that you can use bullets for the award.
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