Can a Soldier refuse an award?

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 07:54:57 -0400

I have a Solider on my deployment that isn't happy about being recommended for an AAM for an EOT award for this deployment. I feel they deserve an ARCOM, but I wasn't the one who wrote their award recommendation. The Soldier stated they don't even want the AAM. Can they refuse it? PFC Private RallyPoint Member SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SFC James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" LTC Stephen F. CPL Dave Hoover SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth SSG Private RallyPoint Member Capt Dwayne Conyers CPT Jack Durish

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Aug 6 at 2020 7:58 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 07:58:12 -0400

They can, but if it was me, I'd still take the AAM.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Aug 6 at 2020 8:00 AM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 08:00:43 -0400

Advise him or her that if they intend to stay in, that's not a good thing to do

Response by LTC John Griscom made Aug 6 at 2020 8:03 AM

LTC John Griscom — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 08:03:16 -0400

Been done before, but not good for someone planning to continue service.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2020 8:16 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 08:16:26 -0400

Can they? Yea. They can refuse to walk up to the Commander when their name is called. That won't look good later on, though.

That being said, I would like to know the back story on this one. Why does the Soldier not want the AAM? What is their MOS and what was their actual job during deployment? What's their rank? Why do you feel they deserve and ARCOM?

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Aug 6 at 2020 8:27 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 08:27:16 -0400

Sure, but it's all fun and games until they miss cutoff by one point and the AAM would have put them over...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2020 8:52 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 08:52:18 -0400

Sadly rank typically is the largest factor when it comes to end of tour awards. We had a few junior enlisted that ran our mail operations and that’s all that they did for 9 months. They both received ARCOMs. That was our leadership and their style though. I would assume it’s less on what the soldier did, and more on the leadership and their style.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Aug 6 at 2020 9:25 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 09:25:52 -0400

The solider can do what they want but that is not the question. The real question is will the Solider see any punishment, blow back or retribution if they continue to show their backside over an award getting downgraded. The answer is a resounding yes. This isn't high school. You can't stomp your feet and throw a temper tantrum because you didn't letter in a varsity sport. I understand the scenario as I was a Sgt who got submitted for a Commendation medal and it was downgraded solely because I didn't have a rocker under my cross rifles and the powers that be felt it would cause waves among my peers within the unit regardless that I did the work to warrant it. It is what it is but the solution isn't throwing a fit and pissing on what the Command is willing to award. It is still a notch on their belt that will count towards promotion and assist their career. It'd not worth the smoke to try to refuse it. It's just like the myth of refusing orders to an undesirable duty station. It is something you can do but it is not worth doing when you consider what will be a result of your actions

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2020 9:27 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 09:27:58 -0400

Never encountered this. The award was approved. The Command was formed. Awardees formed behind formation. SgtMaj or 1stSgt gave command "persons to be recognized, center, march. The rest is self-explanatory. Marines have refused to accept after I got out, one was a Navy Cross.

Response by SFC Stephen P. made Aug 6 at 2020 9:38 AM

SFC Stephen P. — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 09:38:34 -0400

19 mentions of "refuse" or "refusal" in 600-8-22, none of which seem to apply to the soldier refusing to accept the award. Only thing I think he can control is table 3-6 step 1: 'Perform a valorous or heroic act, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service.'.

My first AAM I only learned about because my team leader was reviewing my 2-1.

There does seem to be some language about upgrading awards; I think that is the most appropriate route.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2020 9:42 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 09:42:11 -0400

A recipient has no say in the award, their signature block is not on the 638.
An ARCOM is approved by a COL. That COL needs to see positive impact and/or influence across their BDE level mission during the period of the award, whether that impact was truly throughout the BDE, or the impact on that BN enhanced the BDE mission.

Publicly refusing an award because the recipient felt they "deserved better", whether that means skipping the ceremony or constantly bitching about it is a bad look.
The commander and sr NCOs will remember that. Anyone that has to listen to it will remember that, and that will become the more memorable detail of that Soldier's reputation, rather than how he performed on that deployment.

Take the award with grace and dignity, and those that believe the Soldier deserved a higher award will still know that.

Response by CSM Michael Chavaree made Aug 6 at 2020 10:41 AM

CSM Michael Chavaree — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 10:41:58 -0400

Dont give them the award then... I have never heard of someone complaining about not getting a high enough award. Not from my units anyway.

Response by SFC Kenneth Hunnell made Aug 6 at 2020 10:42 AM

SFC Kenneth Hunnell — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 10:42:24 -0400

Write up the award recommendation yourself, if you believe the soldier merits it. Make sure you have the bullets that prove your point

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Aug 6 at 2020 11:21 AM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 11:21:21 -0400

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member For EOT awards, really except those for heroism, what is looked at is scope of duties and responsibilities. My BCT Commander received a BSM for OIF V. I was a 1SG and I also received a BSM. A lot of people think awards are rank based. Rank has a very small part of who gets what award. It's all about how you do your job and about scope of duties and responsibilities.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2020 1:23 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 13:23:24 -0400

Army kids are so spoiled, in the Corps good luck getting a coin

Response by GySgt Charles O'Connell made Aug 6 at 2020 3:00 PM

GySgt Charles O'Connell — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 15:00:08 -0400

Boo Hoo! I didn't get the award I wanted. Here's my thought, if the nature of your service is predicated on how my bits of colored ribbon you can amass, you are probably in wrong career. Everyone likes to recognized for superior performance, and it is important for leaders to recognize that performance appropriately, but to be recognized and be upset that you didn't get the one you want and arrogant enough to not accept it.... Grow up.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Aug 6 at 2020 4:02 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 16:02:07 -0400

Wow, a deployment. What always the length, what makes them believe they warranted an ARCOM, do they maybe want an MSM. The average award for junior enlisted following a full 3 year assignment is generally an AAM, ARCOM if they distinguished them selves a couple of times during that tour. In order to refuse it, they would need to tell the Commander they don’t want it. That might be an awkward discussion to say the least. You, yourself state they deserved more, what have you done to temper their expectations, or did you fan the flame by telling them you thought they deserved more. Look I am not saying he is petty, nor am I saying you are looking to make friends out of subordinates. I am saying I could go on all day with this one. Teach humility, do not feed vanity. Teach honor and duty, do not suggest more pay. Teach selfless service not look what I have done. He should learn to follow, and you should teach him that. Duty first.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2020 4:13 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 16:13:56 -0400

Everyone has said it already. Take the award. No one cares, and that's why there's SM's out there with 2-3 silver clusters on AAM ribbons. He doesn't have to WEAR it, but that's no reason to turn down promotion points.

My grandfather retired 32 years (CW4 when 4 was the top), WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. He had a bronze star with 2 clusters. When he retired he got an MSM and they are giving those out now for Reserve PCS awards.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2020 4:20 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 16:20:07 -0400

WWII Navy Chaplain Joseph T. O'Callahan turned down the Navy Cross for what many consider a slight by the Navy against a non combat officer. President Truman intervened and the Chaplain then ended up getting the MoH.

I suspect we are not talking about a situation on par with that scenario.

Response by 1SG David Spalding made Aug 6 at 2020 4:21 PM

1SG David Spalding — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 16:21:41 -0400

Yes, but as SFC Hasbun noted, it could make a difference in their career. I retired with six AAMs and seven ARCOMS, many were downgraded from higher awards. I always appreciated that someone took the time to recognize my work.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2020 5:41 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 17:41:03 -0400

I definitely feel that I have been shorted a few times with the award process (like most of us have). Still, I wouldn’t recommend that your soldier turn down an award. I have a sneaky feeling that if they do it may be the last one they get out of that command team.

Response by MAJ Samuel Weber made Aug 7 at 2020 6:06 AM

MAJ Samuel Weber — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 06:06:38 -0400

It’s unfortunate when a Soldier “demands” an award they feel they deserved. How can a person judge what they have accomplished? You have to consider that maybe the CDR only wanted to submit so many ARCOMs and maybe this Soldier didn’t make the cut. I still don’t agree that every Soldier should get an EOT award for deployment. The campaign medal is recognition of service. This is what happens when we apply one standard to ALL Soldiers, they become entitled. I didn’t get my 1st ARCOM until I was a SGT in a SSG billit and PCS’d. I agree with the rest of the comments on here, it is ill advised to refuse an award. Further more, as an NCO, you shouldn’t be feeding his/her displeasure by saying things like “I think you deserved an ARCOM” or “If I had wrote your award you’d have gotten an ARCOM”. Help this Soldier understand how the award system works and that he/she will get what they deserve when the time is right.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2020 11:01 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 11:01:59 -0400

No, I don't believe a soldier can. The Army isn't asking if you want it. You can make a scene and not accept it at presentation, and deal with the consequences of that. But whether it's presented or not, it's still in your record. You may have reason to disagree with the award, if for example something in the narrative justifying it is factually incorrect, but until it is officially revoked, it's yours. You can just not wear it which has consequences if it's noticed on your DA Photo (although those may be a thing of the past now).

Also... was it written as an AAM or downgraded by someone up the chain?

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Aug 7 at 2020 11:40 PM

MSG John Duchesneau — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 23:40:51 -0400

No. Awards cannot be refused just as much as a soldier cannot recommend himself for an award. Tell you soldier that if he stays in the Army long enough, he will probably get an ARCOM when he only deserved an AAM.

Response by SGT Edgar DeLoach made Aug 11 at 2020 7:25 AM

SGT Edgar DeLoach — Tue, 11 Aug 2020 07:25:02 -0400

I knows how the soldier feels. It’s been 30 years and I remember a certain commander and his lack of appropriate awards for a job done well over and above the call for myself while in South Korea. I won’t get into details here, still gets my hackles up today if I dwell on it.
Just tell him to play it smart, take his award, put it in his 201 file, collect his promotion points and move on. But tell him to learn the system and learn how to make it work for him in the future.

Response by PO2 David Ball made Aug 17 at 2020 12:43 AM

PO2 David Ball — Mon, 17 Aug 2020 00:43:47 -0400

Is he out the door? IE end of tour and hitting civvie street??? Look when I retired in the USN they ( CPO MESS) put me in for an end of tour NAM !!! Great!! However, to this very day, I do believe that others in my squadron could and should have received that award... Who were forced into changing services because of high year tenure.

Response by Neal Chamberlain made Sep 5 at 2020 10:16 AM

Neal Chamberlain — Sat, 05 Sep 2020 10:16:47 -0400

Doesn't sound like a very good career-building move.

Response by CSM John Mead made Sep 10 at 2020 3:59 PM

CSM John Mead — Thu, 10 Sep 2020 15:59:02 -0400

By all means they can. AAM's are awarded by the first LTC in the chain of command, i.e., the Bn Cdr. If the soldier feels slighted, take it up with the 1SG and Co Cdr. Why SGT Voye didn't have input on the award is beyond me. Not to change the subject, back in 1970, when I entered the arena as a brand new private, there were no impact awards for enlisted soldiers. You had to be in Vietnam to get anything. That pretty much held true through the '70's. After that, awards opened up to the point where squads were getting AAM's or ARCOM's for being tops in the battalion for gunnery qualifications. In the day, if you qualified with your weapon system, you were doing your job, if you stood out in the battalion as someone exceptional, you got a letter of achievement from the LTC. Notice the change. Now a soldier believes that he deserves better for doing his job. Try civilian life with that attitude and see where it gets you!

Response by SGT Sheldon Skaggs made Oct 16 at 2020 6:37 AM

SGT Sheldon Skaggs — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 06:37:43 -0400

I did when I got out in 2001, I told them to keep it, then they order me to take it. Left it there, when I flew home. Got it in the mail a couple of weeks later. Email a mpeg back showing it going thru the shredder after my ETS. Made sure it didn't show up on my 214. Did it really do any good, doubt it. But I did feel better. I rather not talk about it, but I'll give the basic, I gave alot in those 3.5 years I was there but because of other people feelings my award was degraded.

Response by LTC Trent Klug made Oct 16 at 2020 12:03 PM

LTC Trent Klug — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 12:03:39 -0400

I get it from his point of view. That said, did he do the great job to earn a medal or did he do a great job because that's how he does things? If it's the latter, then the award shouldn't matter. All of us have done good to great things that were, or never will be, recognized.

Response by SPC William Wilson made Oct 16 at 2020 2:27 PM

SPC William Wilson — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 14:27:13 -0400

Take what they are giving you and be professional . That will work out better for you in the long run.

Response by MSG Felipe De Leon Brown made Oct 16 at 2020 4:44 PM

MSG Felipe De Leon Brown — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 16:44:20 -0400

Sometimes they can but it's not recommended in most cases. However, I knew of many Special Forces soldiers in Viet Nam who refused even awards for valor and/or the Purple Heart because of feeling that they were doing no more than their duty. I personally refused a PH because of having no more than a fingernail size flesh wound during a mortar attack. No regrets as I was sort of embarrassed. On the other hand, had I been awarded say a bronze star, I would have readilly accepted it. My primary goal was just to survive and return with my mind and body intact. My mantra was "Make commo in camp, eyes and ears open in the field."

Response by SMSgt Bob W. made Oct 16 at 2020 9:46 PM

SMSgt Bob W. — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 21:46:58 -0400

Cody, look at it two ways: [1] How does it effect your career opportunities or are you ready to "cut bait" and get out? [2] Tell them you regretfully decline the award for personal reasons. Remember, however, someone else thought you deserved the award for your actions. Your actions speak volumes with either decision.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2020 3:13 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Oct 2020 03:13:05 -0400

Suck it up. I remember an E-6 got an ARCOM for being a squad leader during urban warfare training in Berlin. I was an E-5 doing the same job and I did it better than he. I asked my platoon sergeant why he was getting an ARCOM? My platoon sergeant said, "Because he reenlisted." So there you go.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Oct 17 at 2020 4:01 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Sat, 17 Oct 2020 04:01:59 -0400

FYI my friend SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member The same question was posted several years ago at
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/can-a-soldier-refuse-to-receive-an-award

Here is the response provided by SGM Erik Marquez
"No, it is not an option. It is an order, signed by the approval authority. There is no procedure in regulatory guidance that allows for the receiving SM to refuse the award.
The SM's options are limited, they can speak to the recommender or the approver and argue their position and request to have the award recommendation process stopped, or ask the approver to deny the award.
They can accept the award....yet choose not to acknowledge it.
Anyone stating the SM can refuse in a manner other than symbolically, please cite the reg passage that shows that procedure.'
FYI LTC Private RallyPoint Member Maj Marty Hogan SFC Private RallyPoint Member MSG Private RallyPoint Member CSM Charles Hayden TSgt Joe C.

Can a soldier refuse to receive an award? | RallyPoint

If yes, what could be the consequences?I believe the purpose of competition in the Army is to bring out the best in soldier and also to help allocate the manpower within the unit. But working for awards and recognitions can create an unhealthy competitive environment and more if one's investment only benefits self and doesn't add any value to the unit as a whole.

Response by PO1 Darren Martin made Jun 9 at 2021 12:50 PM

PO1 Darren Martin — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 12:50:59 -0400

Yes, I was medically retired and I refused my EOT award. It was kind of a smack in the face to me I said I did not need another NAM. I felt a navy commendation medal was more appropriate. FYI I already have an JCOM, ARCOM, AAM, and NAM from two deployments: OIF and OEF as a corpsman. I worked as a Naval Hospital and was pulled from a very easy shore duty and deployed twice when so many others would go and hide when a volunteer was asked.

I was injured on my second deployment was medvac out of country and gradually made my way back to my parent command. I went through a MEB/PEB over 18 months and was retired but still continued to bust my butt getting qualified and training junior sailors. Might add I was sailor of the year for my command the in 2006. When they told me I was getting a NAM I refused it I already had a NAM and was in an e-6 billet as an e-5. I stepped up multiple times beyond the line of duty and felt I deserved a Navy Comm which they had awarded to other e-5s and e-6s who literally ran records. When I asked why I only got a navy acheivement medal my chief said "well you got here in 03 and were gone for over 26 months so we really never got to keep an eye on you" my response was "I was deployed to combat zones when your favorite sailors were here petting the pooch and I have been here for 18 months since I was injured and constantly stepped". FYI after I left a female e-5 who he was banging got a Navy Commendation Medal. I retired the morning of the award ceremony got my in car and drove back home to start college a few days later. While on the highway my chief called me and asked me where I was and I stated I was in my car driving back home because I am starting college after the 4th of July and that I am officially retired. He asked if I wanted my NAM I said he can give it to someone else.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2024 5:51 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 17:51:21 -0500

I get it, I was in a small unit where all the officers and the senior NCO got bronze starts and the rest of the NOC's got AAM's. The funny part is only one officer ever went outside the wall.