I believe I was missed on getting awarded the Good Conduct Medal, any way I could maybe get it while IRR?

SPC Eric Ostgarden — Thu, 10 May 2018 05:00:40 -0400

I'm a bit confused, because I see multiple sources saying that the requirements for the GCM in active duty are 3 years, and some say 5 years. I ask for clarification because I was never awarded the GCM while maintaining a solid honorable status before I was honorably discharged into the IRR after 3 years of active duty service. My best friend, who was also in my same unit and served for the same exact amount of time active duty as I, was awarded the GCM when he hit his 3 year mark.

I don't want to sound disgruntled what-so-ever because the GCM is honestly just a pat on the back in terms of service medals imo. However I'm thinking about reenlisting into active duty again but in another branch. I'm fairly positive it was a mistake by my unit, because I've fallen through the cracks before with that unit (I was promoted to e4 several months late and so on). Is it possible to obtain this award? Would there be any way someone could help me figure out the process in doing so if it even is possible at? Thanks!

Response by SSG Steven Borders made May 10 at 2018 7:08 AM

SSG Steven Borders — Thu, 10 May 2018 07:08:13 -0400

SPC Eric Ostgarden AR 600-8-22

4–2. Personnel eligible
a. Active component enlisted Soldiers. Enlisted AGR personnel serving on extended periods of active duty (other than for training) 10 USC and 32 USC, are eligible for award of the AGCM for qualifying service beginning on or after 1 September 1982, provided no period of the service has been duplicated by the same period of service for which the Soldier has been awarded the ARCAM. The AGCM qualification period may commence anytime during the 3 years immediately preceding the 1 September 1982 effective date provided no portion of service for the AGCM is included in a period of service for which the ARCAM was awarded.
b. Retroactively, to eligible Army of the United States enlisted personnel. c. Other Army enlisted personnel as directed by the SECARMY.
d. Ready Reserve enlisted personnel ordered to active duty under 10 USC.

4–4. Basis for approval
The immediate unit commander’s decision to award the AGCM will be based on his or her personal knowledge of, and the individual’s official records for, periods of service under previous commanders during the period for which the award is to be made. The lack of official disqualifying comment by previous commanders does not disqualify use of award period by the current commander for awarding the AGCM.

4–5. Qualifying periods of service
Any one of the following periods of continuous enlisted active Federal military service qualifies for award of the AGCM or of an AGCM Clasp (see para 4–9) in conjunction with the criteria in paragraph 4–6:
a. Each 3 years completed on or after 27 August 1940.
b. For first award only, 1 year served entirely during the period 7 December 1941 to 2 March 1946.
c. For first award only, upon termination of service on or after 27 June 1950, of less than 3 years but more than 1
year.
d. For first award only, upon termination of service, on or after 27 June 1950, of less than 1 year when final
separation was by reason of physical disability incurred in line of duty.
e. For first award only, for those individuals who died before completing 1 year of active Federal military service or
if the death occurred in the line of duty.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2018 9:01 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 May 2018 09:01:20 -0400

I got one as a Guardsman as part of my "thanks for coming" bundle when I went to Iraq. lol

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made May 10 at 2018 9:18 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Thu, 10 May 2018 09:18:05 -0400

Its 3 years, contact your old unit- or see if maybe you are on your friends orders.

Response by SFC Clark Adams made May 10 at 2018 4:49 PM

SFC Clark Adams — Thu, 10 May 2018 16:49:43 -0400

I was in the IRR for 11 years and received the ARCAM but not a GCM.