Can a soldier refuse to receive an award?

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:48:05 -0500

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 TSgt Joshua Copeland made Feb 3 at 2015 10:48 AM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 10:48:15 -0500

I have had an Airman refuse an AFAM. We went back an and had the Personnel folks revoke the award order.

Response by CSM Michael Lynch made Feb 3 at 2015 11:02 AM

CSM Michael Lynch — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 11:02:44 -0500

Well, I didn't refuse one but as a PFC I one revoked and given to another Soldier in my squad took him a year to get orders. Due to an altercation with another squad member they decided I didn't need that award for a previous ARTEP. Lessons learned along the way.

Response by SGT James Elphick made Feb 3 at 2015 11:07 AM

SGT James Elphick — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 11:07:41 -0500

The only award I ever saw anyone try to refuse was a Purple Heart, but more often than not I saw people trying to say they qualified for one instead. I didn't see anyone successfully refuse a PH but saw a number who probably shouldn't have get them.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2015 3:58 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 15:58:21 -0500

So your intent is to self sacrifice for a piece of paper in your hand or ribbon on your chest. The awards process is a sticky mess or a hard to be kind of place. I've seen CPTs get an ARCOM for putting together a dining in for a COL and his entourage of 10 people. I've seen Soldiers leave a 15 month successful deployment with nothing, over a "failed" PT test. I've seen the FORSCOM CMD give a MAJ an Impact MSM for making up a tracking chart and small algorithm for profiles and deployment strength. As a medic I am working the process for two purple hearts for two different deployment where I took small fragmentation. I pulled it out and washed it and did my own care. I didn't want the same award people were losing legs over. This was 10 and 12 years ago now. I now know at the end of the day, IT DOESNT MATTER. I shouldn't have been as hard headed.
If someone deems you to be noted before your peers and superiors, don't discredit yourself for self sacrifice, and don't believe the award system is running accordingly in a justified manner.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Feb 4 at 2015 12:17 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 12:17:41 -0500

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.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2015 12:37 PM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 12:37:10 -0500

The bottom line to me, and especially in my case, if the soldier/Airman does not believe they are deserving of the medal being awarded they should have the right to refuse it without fear of retribution. I respect the heck out of someone that genuinely wants to earn something that they can be proud of, but it seems more often than not we have a service full of folks that expect medals to be handed out like T-ball trophies.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2015 1:44 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 13:44:19 -0500

I never refused an award but often wondered why I got it for doing my job. I always went about improving my job skills, my section, my teams, setting goals and doing everything to give more than a 100%. When I submitted awards for my Soldiers it was because they went above and beyond or they did something that impacted the mission/organization in a positive way. I've seen people get awards who shouldn't have gotten crap but I've seen those try to downplay or ask the award order/DA 638 be tossed out for just doing their job.

So this one time I 'neatly refused(folded up)' a COA while in formation soon after a newly promoted SSG got a AAM for her 'ability to rapidly adapt to her leadership role during training..blah blah'. Mind you, it wasn't about the award as much as it was her getting the credit for work I did. I could have cared less about any award for doing my job but because she was getting one really got my blood boiling. So I 'neatly refused' that COA in my cargo pocket.

Someone saw what I did and then I had to talk to the 1SG along with my section SGT. I explained to him I was angry for her getting an award for MY work. I have no expectation of any award for doing my job but that really chapped my a**. Then to give me a COA, was just an insult. I'm not sorry one bit that someone took the time to print one out so I can put in my pocket. When he asked if he could see it, I told the 1SG he's welcome to dig it out of the crosscut shredder. He dismissed me out of his office, no counseling, nothing after that. Business as normal next day.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2016 1:15 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Dec 2016 01:15:46 -0500

Continuing on this thread...let's say hypothetically you are the Company Commander and your unit is on deployment, and the 1SG has requested not to be recommended for an award. She/he is going to write up an MFR to state that he/she is making said request. There cannot be consequences for anyone to submit an award recommendation for the 1SG, but what would you do? Write it anyways? Talk to the higher command and see what they recommend? This hypothetical 1SG is quite stubborn and there would probably be no changing her/his mind.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2019 8:47 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 09 Nov 2019 20:47:58 -0500

I am also curious about a pcs award I feel like they are trying to give that to me just as a pat on the back and if someone can point me in the direction of the regulation saying they don't have to give me one (if there is one) please do.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2020 12:21 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Jan 2020 12:21:14 -0500

Speaking from an NCO stand point. Some NCOs would rather not have a specific Commander sign anything in reference to their career for what ever reason. I’m not going to elaborate. Based on the situation the 1SG might feel some type of way. He would rather have no award than see someone’s name in their career book. Of course he or she won’t bring this to light or reveal the true reason. But I see right through this.