Does anyone know how to get a copy of an award that's not on your OMPF?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 13:24:59 -0400

I do not have the hard copy and the unit said they only keep records for two years. Is there anyway to get a copy of the award or do I have to take it off my ERB?

Response by SGT Edward Wilcox made Apr 6 at 2016 1:32 PM

SGT Edward Wilcox — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 13:32:06 -0400

The orders for your award should have been uploaded into iPERMS by the unit that gave it to you. That would be the first place I would look. https://iperms.hrc.army.mil/rms/. Good luck.

iPERMS PRC

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Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2016 1:32 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 13:32:52 -0400

SSG Private RallyPoint Member do you have any paperwork for it at all? A DA638?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2016 1:35 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 13:35:15 -0400

That's a good question. I have a Unit Award that was received while with them but pcs'd and have yet to see this award.

Response by SFC Paul Garza made Apr 6 at 2016 3:09 PM

SFC Paul Garza — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 15:09:36 -0400

Every S1 should maintain an awards log. Orders numbers are generated by the Julian Date and the number of award on that date. They don't have your award on file anymore, but do they still maintain the orders logs from that time period in the office?

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2016 5:33 PM

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 17:33:37 -0400

Contact your unit S-1...hopefully they have a copy in the secure file.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2016 8:01 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 20:01:46 -0400

The issuing S-1/G-1 should have the Order Number in a new system called TACCS. See excerpt from AR 600-8-105 below. (However, this may not have been in effect when you were a private)

b. Commanders of Active Army detachments, companies, batteries, or battalions that are serviced by a centralized MILPER office will not issue written orders. When written orders are required,
commanders who are not authorized to issue written orders will submit a request for orders to the commander responsible for providing administrative support . However, the installation adjutant general may authorize those battalion and brigade commanders with automation capabilities (such as the Tactical Army Combat Service Support Computer System (TACCS)) to publish orders for the actions listed in (1) through (4) below.
(1) Awards.
(a) Good Conduct Medal.
(b) Diver Badge.
(c) Drivers Badge.
(d) AAM per AR 672–5–1, table 2–3.
(e) ARCOM per AR 672–5–1, table 2–3.
(2) Intrastation reassignment (no travel).
(3) Attachment or relief from attachment (no travel).
(4) Special pay (flight pay and sea pay).

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2016 9:58 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 21:58:39 -0400

Also, if the award was recent, there should be a record of it in HRPAS as well as iPERMS

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Apr 7 at 2016 12:06 AM

MAJ Raúl Rovira — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 00:06:58 -0400

Normally when an award is presented, the green folder has the award certificate in one side and the 638 on the other. It appears this is not the case for you. Contact the unit S1. Unfortunately, if there is no source document, then there is no award.

If all else fails, make an attempt to find the person that recommended you for the award, the company commander, and or the the approving authority.

Good luck.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2016 12:11 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 12:11:43 -0400

I had the same problem with some awards, such as the humanitarian medal. What HRC told me is to have someone high up write "something official" (their words) to put in my iPerms. I wrote a memo and I contacted my former 1SG, who is now a CSM, to sign it. It worked. Also, if it's on an NCOER, that works too. That's what they told me.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2016 5:28 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 17:28:02 -0400

You have to know the preset it was issued under.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2016 1:55 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 09 Apr 2016 01:55:11 -0400

Try this website. This is where all documents are held like your DD214, awards and other things electronically.
http://www.archives.gov/veterans/

Veterans' Service Records

Resources and Services for Veterans and their Families

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2018 1:24 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Aug 2018 13:24:12 -0400

I recently had the same issue for an award I received on active duty that was never uploaded. I contacted HRC and they assured me that if they award showed on my 214 my commander could regenerate the award.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Aug 23 at 2018 11:09 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Thu, 23 Aug 2018 11:09:27 -0400

Did they unit not have to send it up to higher? They can keep records longer- maybe electronically.