ARCOM's for Deployment

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 23:06:42 -0400

So I was talking with another NCO this morning that is medically retiring. The topic of deployment awards came up and his case manager (retired CSM) was telling him that the minimum award given for a combat deployment was an ARCOM wit V device or bronze star, curious as to thoughts or any facts on this? I spent 12 months doing route clearance in Afghanistan and I know a lot of our awards was just majorly ARCOM's and AAM's.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made May 2 at 2014 9:10 AM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Fri, 02 May 2014 09:10:04 -0400

That may have been the case for the time frame that the CSM(R) served, but I do know that there were plenty of straight ARCOMs and AAMs awarded to individuals from my unit when we were deployed for OIF-III. I know as the S-2 NCOIC I was awarded an ARCOM and there was no heartburn on my part, I was not outside the FOB much due to my duty position and definitely wasn't as "involved" as I was when I was a PSG during OIF.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2014 9:23 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 May 2014 09:23:11 -0400

Absolutley 100% not true in today's deployments. I also doubt that it was the case years ago. An ARCOM with V device is not just given out! That is something that is earned! BSMs and ARCOMs are the two that we see today that are used to recognize ones participation in a combat deployment. Basically, you show up, perform your duties, stay out of trouble, you will get one of those two awards most likely. Occasionally you will see an AAM though it is no longer a combataward per the update AR 600-8-22

Response by SFC Douglas Eshenbaugh made May 2 at 2014 9:56 AM

SFC Douglas Eshenbaugh — Fri, 02 May 2014 09:56:37 -0400

Funny, never read anywhere that there was a minimum award for a combat deployment. I do know that you can be awarded the MSM as well for a combat deployment.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made May 2 at 2014 3:51 PM

SGT Ben Keen — Fri, 02 May 2014 15:51:59 -0400

Bad information. You are not promised ANY award at ANY level for deploying. Heck, you can walk out of a deployment zone with nothing more than a COA really. And to add a device like the V device just makes it even worse.

I can tell you that if you wear the ICM or ACM you should at a minimum have 1 bronze star on that award. You can search here in the forums for the discussion that covers the topic of stars on the ICM and ACM.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2014 1:21 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 May 2014 01:21:50 -0400

Now you know and knowing is half of the battle. You can also refute myths that we are giving out awards for nothing and they were harder to get in other wars.

https://www.hrc.army.mil/TAGD/Awards%20and%20Decorations%20Statistics%20by%20Conflict

Response by SGT Shon D. Hill made May 5 at 2014 1:52 AM

SGT Shon D. Hill — Mon, 05 May 2014 01:52:19 -0400

When our battalion was nearing deployment home, most if not nearly all E6 and above were awarded Bronze Stars with various "reasons" attached. This really left all of us under feeling quite upset as you can imagine. Many of these senior NCO's never left the FOB for missions, even more insulting :(. I just reminded my guys the best award was getting home alive, focus on the POS...

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2014 11:42 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 May 2014 11:42:36 -0400

I was given a JSAM for my deployment. CENTCOM told us up front that that would be the highest awarded unless it was for valor.

Response by SGT Joe Post made May 27 at 2014 8:44 PM

SGT Joe Post — Tue, 27 May 2014 20:44:50 -0400

Never cared about Medals on my chest...I don't even remember what my post deployment award was. ARCOM?

I was on a route clearance team in Mosul, there were several occasions where fellow soldiers and military personnel thanked us for what we did.

In fact our Squadron Mike Golf told my roomate and I to come to his CHU one night and gave us coins from the SCO's PSD we asked him what they were for and he said "we really appreciate what you guys do" that was one of the cooler experiences of my deployment.

Response by SGT Alfred Cox made May 27 at 2014 10:14 PM

SGT Alfred Cox — Tue, 27 May 2014 22:14:33 -0400

All I got was ARCOMS and Campaign Medals ... I wish I could have got the V device...

Response by SPC James Mcneil made Jan 22 at 2015 5:49 AM

SPC James Mcneil — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 05:49:39 -0500

He may have been talking about his experience. My experience was more along the lines of what you're talking about.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2015 12:51 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Aug 2015 12:51:08 -0400

ARCOMS and AAMs on our last trip to. I think one or two got he BSM

Response by SPC Nate Raetz made Oct 23 at 2015 9:17 AM

SPC Nate Raetz — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 09:17:22 -0400

It's funny that this discussion has come up.
Back in June, I requested my medical records and awards from HRC st Louis.
I received a letter showing that I had two arcoms, that I never received, as I was awarded AAM's for both deployments to Iraq.
It would make sense, that the Army changed the rules, claiming that AAMs are peacetime awards.