I was honorable discharged from active army due to RCP. I was told that I wasnt getting an ETS award but never saw documentation stating so

2016-09-09T20:06:05-04:00

Was discharged honorably from Active duty recently back in April 16 (10 yrs). One of my NCO's tried to submit an ETS award for me, but I just found out my PSG denied it. I spoke to my 1SG a few days ago stating that there was a no awards memo by the PSG. Never saw documentation or heard anything from anyone before or after I left until this week. I transistioned to the NG immediately following my ETS date. Can they deny an award just because? It seems kind of odd. I received a Field Grade and was demoted back in June 15 from E5 to E4 due to FTR to a ATTRS class I knew I was going to but didn't know my class date changed. Just want to hear some opinions on this. Thank you

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2016 8:16 PM

2016-09-09T20:16:02-04:00

Sounds like they decided you didn't merit an ETS award. Yeah they can deny it, but not just because. Awards are earned, and your chain of command must have supported whatever justification there was for no ETS award. Either way, I wouldn't expect to ever get it now, especially with you being out of there.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2016 8:19 PM

2016-09-09T20:19:18-04:00

Perhaps you were not recommended due to your actions and therefore nothing was submitted. There is no requirement to submit anyone for an ETS award. perhaps that NCO bluffed and told you he had done a recommendation, when in fact he didn't. Just food for thought.

Response by SPC Alexander Homan made Sep 9 at 2016 8:24 PM

2016-09-09T20:24:38-04:00

I kept my nose clean. Tried to everything I could to get my rank back and followed what guidelines I had to do to be board worthy. My PSG had put a E4 w/ 2 years in over me and I know he did it on purpose since he was looking for a reason to burn me if I acted out of line. This was my only screw up in the Army. Never was late always on time and right place right time

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2016 8:29 PM

2016-09-09T20:29:41-04:00

An ETS award is an automatic thing. No real award is. However, it sounds like the political climate is basically what got you. I know it is too late now, but I recommend to any young soldier that gets an Article 15 to seriously consider requesting a transfer once the punishments are fulfilled.
Not everyone would agree with that, but the fact that you got punished when you were not informed of a date change is a little silly.Unless of course you were notified and just didn't pay attention.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2016 8:50 PM

2016-09-09T20:50:19-04:00

I had a similar situation happen (got knocked down, RCP'ed). When I got out, the policy was that you couldn't start clearing without a 638 for an ETS award. My PSG had lazily asked me to write my own, which I didn't care enough to do (besides, just about everything noteworthy I've done in my career, I've already gotten an award for). I made the phone call and some random NCO in my company wrote me a COA and I was allowed to go on about my business.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2016 8:59 PM

2016-09-09T20:59:44-04:00

The only person that can deny an award is the approver

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2016 10:03 AM

2016-09-10T10:03:01-04:00

I hate the way awards are done nowadays. Why do we expect an award when we ets/pcs? Awards are for going above and beyond the scope of your job. Every three years you already get an award for doing a your job. I have written some no award memos when the SM in question was a POS or didn't give anything extra at work. However, if someone else wrote one I would turn it in, provided it was well written, which is a problem these days.

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made Sep 10 at 2016 3:38 PM

2016-09-10T15:38:17-04:00

My personal feeling is that if you got it great, if not so be it. We are not entitled to a PCS or ETS award. I understand that the additional award would look good in the display. However, in the grand scheme of things, now that you are out, pretty much meaningless.