Posted on Oct 30, 2019
Can someone be retroactively awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal?
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A buddy of mine is up for the GCM for his last 3 years of clean records. In the past, during the end of his third year he was flagged hence he was denied the GCM. During his next three years until he ETS'ed out of active duty he was also not given the GCM for reasons UNK. He has now completed 3 good years and is being awarded the GCM for his good service. Question: can he get his initial 2 GCM's this time as well?
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 6
The GCM roster in the 1990s was a go/no go action by the company commander. Cdr had to deny an individual or just sign the (computer printout) document to award the medal to all for the month.
After denial, the clock started again and three years later the Soldier would appear for the go/no go roster. Two years, eleven months and 29 days and then an incident? Commander could deny and the three year clock would start over.
Some commanders paid more attention than others.
The result was uneven awards of the GCM.
Your friend appears to have two periods of non qualifying service. If friend's recent three years was honorable service, friend is eligible for GCM first award.
After denial, the clock started again and three years later the Soldier would appear for the go/no go roster. Two years, eleven months and 29 days and then an incident? Commander could deny and the three year clock would start over.
Some commanders paid more attention than others.
The result was uneven awards of the GCM.
Your friend appears to have two periods of non qualifying service. If friend's recent three years was honorable service, friend is eligible for GCM first award.
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Btw, friend is active duty? If friend is USAR, friend is working for the ARCAM. (Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal)
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All adverse actions do not disqualify someone from receiving a Good Conduct Medal. If someone is convicted by Court Martial that is an automatic disqualification and his new period starts the day after his CM sentence is complete. Otherwise, the Commander is required to complete a memorandum disapproving the GCM and indicate what dates are being disapproved. It is possible his previous Commander did disapprove the award and if so the disapproval should be part of his Official records. Since the Soldier is still on active duty, his Commander can approve the retroactive award; although, he will need to query HRC to determine whether a previous Commander disapproved the award. Commanders are supposed to look at the Soldier's entire performance during the award period not just what caused him to be flagged.
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