SSgt Private RallyPoint Member 118047 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div> 2014-05-03T20:39:26-04:00 SSgt Private RallyPoint Member 118047

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2014-05-03T20:39:26-04:00 2014-05-03T20:39:26-04:00 SFC William Swartz Jr 118052

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>No, an individual service member should never ask, first off they shouldn't HAVE to, secondly, it is just wrong as hell!

2014-05-03T20:43:49-04:00 2014-05-03T20:43:49-04:00 TSgt Private RallyPoint Member 120677

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Assuming they have a good supervisor, they (the supervisor) should be the ones to put in their troop for a medal. I do believe that if an individual wrote their own 1206 and gave it to their supervisor, they should take a serious look at it.

2014-05-06T23:33:11-04:00 2014-05-06T23:33:11-04:00 SGM Matthew Quick 120691

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>No, subordinates should NEVER have to ask...good leaders recognize and reward contributions.<br /><br />HOWEVER, if you feel you deserve an award, talk to your supervisor about this and explain your contributions. Leaders can learn, too.

2014-05-06T23:59:27-04:00 2014-05-06T23:59:27-04:00 GySgt Private RallyPoint Member 120729

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Why should there be a reason for me to ask my men if they want to be recommended for an award?

2014-05-07T01:52:15-04:00 2014-05-07T01:52:15-04:00 SSgt Gregory Guina 121068

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>There is only one instance where I can see someone asking for and award and that is the Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. However even with this the supervisor should know if the member has been volunteering through periodic counseling sessions. However if it has neve come up and you feel that you have accumulated the prerequisites to rate the medal you should inform your leadership and provide the prrof that you have volunteered within the community. As far as other awards NO!

2014-05-07T16:01:04-04:00 2014-05-07T16:01:04-04:00 MSG Tim Waychoff 121072

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I don't think that I'm going to say anything new here, but no. Absolutely not - because they shouldn't have to. As MSG(P) Quick already pointed out, if a Soldier feels that they did earn one, they should talk to their supervisor about it.<br /><br />"I will be fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment."<br /><br />Leaders should recognize the efforts being put forth by their Soldiers in all facets of lives. Too many leaders are quick to hit the keyboard to administer punishment and have to be prodded into writing and submitting awards for their Soldiers. <br /><br />It has been my experience that if you take the time to recognize the contributions of your Soldiers whether it is a certificate signed by you, an impact Army Achievement Medal, or even a simple "Thank you" in front of their peers, you'll spend a lot less time punishing Soldiers. <br /><br />Soldiers that realize that the work they do is appreciated, and that they are appreciated tend to stay out of trouble a bit more than Soldiers that do not feel valuable to their team.

2014-05-07T16:06:36-04:00 2014-05-07T16:06:36-04:00 SPC Charles Brown 121075

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>This strikes me as being self serving. And in the Army one of our 7 core values which would be selfless service. If you have indeed done something to warrant a medal then more than likely you will receive one. I earned several medals and many honor coins during my 12 years in the service, each one I got for doing something above what my abilities said I could do. I am proud of each one, but asking for one only cheapens the meaning behind the idea of the medal itself.

2014-05-07T16:09:22-04:00 2014-05-07T16:09:22-04:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 121088

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>How many times have you busted your hump to get the mission done without any recognition, not even a "Good job today"? Did that help your motivation the next day?<br /><br />Good leaders take the time to recognize their subordinates efforts and achievements. If those achievements are award-worthy, get the paperwork done. If they warrant a positive counseling, get it done. If it's a simple pat on the back, do it. Soldiers will bend over backwards for a leader who appreciates their effort.

2014-05-07T16:24:30-04:00 2014-05-07T16:24:30-04:00 CPT Private RallyPoint Member 121160

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I just thought of something that made me think twice about snubbing this. <br /><br />The Purple Heart. <br /><br />It is one award that doesnt require an actual recommendation, yet has to be submitted, as you are entitled. If you are injured as a result of combat, and your CoC fails to submit your paperwork on your behalf, I see NO WRONG in asking that they do. <br /><br />*BTW - I heard one of my 11B buddies call this the Afghan Marksmanship Badge. Is that a common joke? I kind of laughed, but also thought to myself "thats kinda messed up".

2014-05-07T17:46:32-04:00 2014-05-07T17:46:32-04:00 SFC Arthur Barker 121175

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Awards have always been a contentious point in the US military. Hell, we didn't have a formal established award system until the Civil War, and even then it was something of a one-sized fits all approach. The belief was that only prissy monarchies needed medals, because most of them are developed to just decorate the king's chest anyway.<br /><br />Anyway, my experience has been that you rarely see someone get the medal you believe they deserve, whether it is a subordinate, someone senior to you, or you yourself. It is usually higher or lower than one would think. The point here, though, is "requirements." <br /><br />Requirements for medals for achievement and meritorious service are somewhat vague so the award recommenders have some room to determine what is most appropriate for the situation. The catch is, the idea of what is appropriate changes from leader to leader, and service to service. I would have no issue with a Soldier asking me about receiving a medal. It is possible that they did something medal-worthy when I wasn't around. Like any other incident that might warrant a medal it would depend on the situation.

2014-05-07T18:21:54-04:00 2014-05-07T18:21:54-04:00 PO1 William "Chip" Nagel 121203

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Interesting debate and it seems that most everybody is focusing on Exemplary Performance Medals and Ribbons but what about qualification Medals and Ribbons. Those can fall through the cracks as well as anything and if you met the requirement and it hasn't made it into your record, I see nothing wrong with Prodding the powers that be. I'm thinking like most of mine were not so much of what I did but where I was and if I was TAD the home office could easily drop the ball on those. Sea Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon what have you. Unit Award that take several years to go through the Chop Chain.

2014-05-07T19:02:52-04:00 2014-05-07T19:02:52-04:00 SFC Douglas Eshenbaugh 121469

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>These are the only awards that I'm tracking as having a meet the requirements aspect. This is definitely not an all inclusive list but more than likely the most common that may crop up.<br /><br />NDSM<br />GWOT-S <br />GWOT-E <br />ICM<br />ACM<br />Humanitarian Service Medal<br />branch specific Good Conduct Medal<br />OSR<br />KSR<br /><br />If you feel you meet the requirements for these awards but haven't received one you definitively should be talking to your supervisor. It maybe that there has been a snafu with the paperwork that needs to be worked out or that the S1 section just isn't tracking that you meet the requirements. <br /><br />I deliberately left the Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal off as it's meet the requirements are subjective to what the commander thinks qualifies.

2014-05-08T04:33:30-04:00 2014-05-08T04:33:30-04:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 121644

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I really don't think that if a Soldier's doing what their supposed to do and is performing above what's required of them for whatever task there's no need. We as leaders should be tracking and capturing all that through counseling anyway and if an award is warranted then recommend it, but if you feel it’s not then capture in their counseling. I think one of the problems is that in too many instances counseling’s aren't being done to capture these things or are only being utilized for the bad stuff. You have to also keep in mind that every ones thought process is different and what warrants a award to me may not to you. I think good judgment and a little common sense goes along way. And just to play devil’s advocate, I know the NCO Creed says I will be fair and impartial when recommending both awards and punishment as pointed out by some of our battles. But how often have you seen an undeserving award being given not because the Soldier is stellar and did an outstanding job but because of who he knows and who likes him. I hate to say it and this is just an opinion based off observation, but the good old system is still alive and well within the award system.

2014-05-08T11:07:59-04:00 2014-05-08T11:07:59-04:00 GySgt William Hardy 122597

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>(I posted this below also) <br /><br />Only in the case where a member was omitted...an oversight...for example, I received an order that said the following personnel were authorized to wear . . . the list had everyone who was sent on a deployment. Two men were left off the list. They asked, a correction was made, and they received their ribbon along with everyone else. But in terms of regular awards, no.<br /><br />There was a mention of awards coming out years later...<br /><br />While on active duty you may ask for a review of your records. My admin chief did this for me when I first made SSG and I found that I had 4 more ribbons than I was currently wearing. Everyone can also request the same from your branch of service after you retire or leave the service.<br /><br />If you bust your butt and think you deserve an award...hell no. If medals and ribbons are your motivation for doing a good job, your head is in the wrong place.

2014-05-09T12:04:58-04:00 2014-05-09T12:04:58-04:00 SFC Collin McMillion 424381

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Medals don't make the man! Do your job, serve the people and the country, show you bravery in the way you live and perform......you don't need a ribbon or medal pined on your chest to be a hero.

2015-01-18T21:57:54-05:00 2015-01-18T21:57:54-05:00 Capt Richard I P. 424582

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Nope.

2015-01-19T00:13:01-05:00 2015-01-19T00:13:01-05:00 2014-05-03T20:39:26-04:00