Posted on Feb 6, 2014
SGT(P) Section Leader
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From the first week on the ground of this deployment, we were told to start preparing end of tour 638's for our Soldiers. Unconventional I would imagine, but the best part has been the ever-changing standards that have extended what should have been a relatively simple process into almost a year long debacle...and don't even get me started on impact awards and badges.
Posted in these groups: Us medals AwardsImgres DeploymentBilde AR 600-9
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Responses: 2
SGM Sergeant Major
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Edited 11 y ago
SGT Jaynes - Welcome to combat.

We had to do the same thing for our 2012 deployment. After being there for 2 months our BDE HQs was screaming for shells. The best thing about it is the document can always change. Once you are within 3 months of leaving they do not want any more changes or updates.

The reason for the system is to ensure all awards are approved and processed prior to anyone departing the area.

As my Soldiers accomplished tasks downrange I would pull their award up and make changes. The only issue then is ensuring your additions and the original submission all get merged successfully with the right corrections.
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SGT(P) Section Leader
SGT(P) (Join to see)
11 y
Okay, that makes more sense. We're less than three months out and rapidly approaching the final deadline for personelle actions and we're burning the midnight oil after patrols making more corrections. Every time we get the old corrections we fix them, and then there are new corrections. It's gotten to the point where we've gone through so many changes that newest version is beginning to resemble the original one's that we submitted months and months ago.
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SGT Ben Keen
SGT Ben Keen
11 y
Yeah it really puts NCOs in a weird place to start thinking of award bullets so soon into the deployment but the one good thing that comes from it is that you aren't trying to hammer out all those 638s in the last month of being in country.  Best of luck!
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SGT(P) Section Leader
SGT(P) (Join to see)
11 y
Thanks SGT Keen. The ever changing expectations of "We want it spelled 3d SQDN, not 3rd Sqdn! THAT WAS LAST MONTH!!!" continue unabated.
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SGM Sergeant Major
SGM (Join to see)
11 y
Oh that will change another 10 times. It will make you want to go back outside the wire to escape the award madness. LOL. The other sad point was writing a Soldier an award in the beginning and having to deny it in the end cause they messed up and weren't allowed an award.
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LTC Special Operations Response Team (Sort)
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sadly yes. this occurred during my Iraq tour in 2007 when we were told " start preparing your 638's on your men and take whatever you think they should get and cut it in half. Leadership feels that there are just too many awards being given". :/
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