Posted on Apr 29, 2021
How long is a reasonable time to wait for a retirement award to be processed?
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How long is a reasonable time to wait for a retirement award to be processed? I retired in Januray of 2021 with 22.5 years of service. I submitted all my relevant information on October 27th, 2020. After multiple hang up's (not of my making), I'm being told it's still sitting at BDE awaiting approval. It's been 6 months, going on 7 since I sent up my info. I officially retired over 4 months ago. I'm seriously considering telling them to forget it. Please advise.
Posted in these groups: 
Retirement
Retirement
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 12
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$50 says somewhere in the chain of command is a senior "leader" who doesn't think a SGT should receive an MSM, and is fighting it...
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CPT (Join to see)
Being reserve, it could be anything. I've found it common Sr. Leaders are probably overwhelmed with administrative actions that need their signatures/approvals. Unless an administrative action held up a critical task regarding readiness or exercise execution it was basically blown off.
The only awards I've ever submitted that get approved are ones that were during exercises and the approval process was an entirely different chain of command (exercise commanders).
Then, where I am now, everything is running smoother than I could possibly hope for. For instance, I received my O6 memo awarding my Bronze Hourglass device for 10 years in the USAR less than a week after my anniversary. I was holding off requesting for it until my Annual Point Count updated in my record HRC profile (which it hasn't yet). I was dumbfounded to get that memo like that. Is this the USAR I'm still in?????
Where I left the 1-Star had a practice of not signing anything until Battle Assembly weekends. HOLY SMOKES!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you imagine the CG's backlog..............
Pushing awards to the bottom of the pile doesn't stop the USAR machine from turning. Other actions such as soldier order approvals, or critical equipment purchase authorizations does.
******
I feel like an SOB for giving up like this, but I had a soldier save a neighbor's life from a knife attack. He did the following:
1) Stopped the assailant at grave risk to injury or death to himself.
2) Detained the assailant for police
3) Directed other neighbors around to help with medical care and contacting 911 while detaining the assailant
It was witnessed and statements were provided by:
1) the property manager
2) a neighbor that was an active duty USMC Captain
3) The prosecuting district attorney that put the guy in jail
I submitted him for the Soldier's Medal TWICE through two different Battalion Commander's during my time in command.
NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I researched other soldier's medals and citations to see if the conditions were on par with what has been given in the past and this more than qualified.
Awards are just not a priority in some commands.
The only awards I've ever submitted that get approved are ones that were during exercises and the approval process was an entirely different chain of command (exercise commanders).
Then, where I am now, everything is running smoother than I could possibly hope for. For instance, I received my O6 memo awarding my Bronze Hourglass device for 10 years in the USAR less than a week after my anniversary. I was holding off requesting for it until my Annual Point Count updated in my record HRC profile (which it hasn't yet). I was dumbfounded to get that memo like that. Is this the USAR I'm still in?????
Where I left the 1-Star had a practice of not signing anything until Battle Assembly weekends. HOLY SMOKES!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you imagine the CG's backlog..............
Pushing awards to the bottom of the pile doesn't stop the USAR machine from turning. Other actions such as soldier order approvals, or critical equipment purchase authorizations does.
******
I feel like an SOB for giving up like this, but I had a soldier save a neighbor's life from a knife attack. He did the following:
1) Stopped the assailant at grave risk to injury or death to himself.
2) Detained the assailant for police
3) Directed other neighbors around to help with medical care and contacting 911 while detaining the assailant
It was witnessed and statements were provided by:
1) the property manager
2) a neighbor that was an active duty USMC Captain
3) The prosecuting district attorney that put the guy in jail
I submitted him for the Soldier's Medal TWICE through two different Battalion Commander's during my time in command.
NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I researched other soldier's medals and citations to see if the conditions were on par with what has been given in the past and this more than qualified.
Awards are just not a priority in some commands.
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That word right there... it gets folks. "Reasonable." Unfortunately, not everything in the Army is "reasonable."
So With a final out in January 2021, This award should honestly have been submitted in June 2020, or even earlier. IT shows that you are Reserves, and I have no idea on timelines there. But even for AD with S1s and Commanders working 5 days a week, awards routinely take 3 months from initial submission to "ready for presentation." And that is with lower level (AAM / ARCOM) awards.
Add in that someone had to actually type up the bullets and formalize the award for "initial submission" (As you provided relevant information, NOT the 638), with the time that takes, and also add in that it was (theoretically) an MSM which means additional scrutiny and additional levels of approval, and 6 months is not out of the question for Active Duty working 5 days a week. And I always subtract the entire month of December when it comes to productivity. Very little gets done in December due to holidays, holiday planning, etc. I have to assume (and it is a big assumption) that Reserves can take longer to process (as I have seen them take longer on just about everything).
That being said, it is NOT too early to give a call and check up. It is possible the award WAS finalized, and no one let you know. Or that it was kicked back and they need information from you, but haven't gotten around to calling. Or that they put it on the sideline because you are already retired and no one is breathing down their neck about it. Tossing a quick call at your orderly room isn't out of the question.
So With a final out in January 2021, This award should honestly have been submitted in June 2020, or even earlier. IT shows that you are Reserves, and I have no idea on timelines there. But even for AD with S1s and Commanders working 5 days a week, awards routinely take 3 months from initial submission to "ready for presentation." And that is with lower level (AAM / ARCOM) awards.
Add in that someone had to actually type up the bullets and formalize the award for "initial submission" (As you provided relevant information, NOT the 638), with the time that takes, and also add in that it was (theoretically) an MSM which means additional scrutiny and additional levels of approval, and 6 months is not out of the question for Active Duty working 5 days a week. And I always subtract the entire month of December when it comes to productivity. Very little gets done in December due to holidays, holiday planning, etc. I have to assume (and it is a big assumption) that Reserves can take longer to process (as I have seen them take longer on just about everything).
That being said, it is NOT too early to give a call and check up. It is possible the award WAS finalized, and no one let you know. Or that it was kicked back and they need information from you, but haven't gotten around to calling. Or that they put it on the sideline because you are already retired and no one is breathing down their neck about it. Tossing a quick call at your orderly room isn't out of the question.
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Depends on the award submitted. For AAMs and ARCOMs, the standard time to submit them is 30-90 days prior. For MSMs, the standard is 180 days prior to being awarded. So, if it's been 4 months since you retired and there has been no resolution, chances are they're probably sitting on it on purpose.
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SGT Sam Decker
My understanding is it's an MSM. Based on your timeline, we're past the 180 day mark. I know it's mostly a point of pride; the award will have no impact on my retirement or my current civilian
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LTC(P) Christina Moore
Its not just pride. Being recognized and having a reflection of your past accomplishments changes how you view them. It is emotional, chemical and physical. It also impacts (as much as we do not like to admit) how others view you and your service, even future employers.
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