What can I do if I am missing a DA 638 for an award earned at a previous duty station?

2021-12-18T04:02:13-05:00

Long story short, I was reviewing my I love my book to see if anything was missing from the book. Of course, with my luck, I noticed I received an Army Achievement Medal, but I only have a certificate and not the DA 638. I reached out to my previous unit for help but did not get any. My current S1 states that I cannot add the award to my SRB even though it is an original copy with the signature and number at the bottom. Any input on what I can do? Or am I out of luck?

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Dec 18 at 2021 5:12 AM

2021-12-18T05:12:00-05:00

You could always contact the IG; however your Command might not appreciate that!
I would refer you to SFC Private RallyPoint Member as he knows Army Regulations.
Best of luck SSG Daquan Torrey !

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2021 7:13 AM

2021-12-18T07:13:22-05:00

Your current S1 is incorrect. You do not need the 638 to add your award

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 18 at 2021 11:22 AM

2021-12-18T11:22:53-05:00

There should be an orders# on the bottom left of the certificate. S-1 can use that.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2021 1:57 PM

2021-12-18T13:57:26-05:00

Having the Cert with the Order Number is sufficient. Having the Cert with Order Number AND the 638 is just extra icing on the cake. Your S1 can take that order number and should be able to track down the 638. Was the 638 not iPermed?

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Dec 18 at 2021 10:05 PM

2021-12-18T22:05:10-05:00

Sounds like the S1 is being a REMF. In my day a REMF was someone (wherever they worked) that could do something for soldiers but was too stupid or lazy or neglecting their duties. The last one is a chargeable offense under UCMJ.
"Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) is "Failure to Obey an Order or Regulation" (written or stated). The U.S. military considers it a dereliction of duty when soldiers are unable or unwilling to perform the job assigned to military personnel."
.
Elements of Article 92
There are several key elements to Article 92 that must be considered, together or separately for UCMJ Action:
1. Violation of a lawful general order or regulation: The individual must have violated a general order or regulation that they had a duty to obey.
2. Failure to obey other lawful order: The individual must have known about the order, had a duty to obey it, and then failed to do so.
3. This one applies to your case - Dereliction in the performance of duties: The accused must have had certain duties that he or she, through neglect or culpable inefficiency, simply failed to perform.
All that being said - bring it to the attention of your COC to the S1 Staff Officer.
It probably was NOT the S1s Senior Staff that told you, 'NO'. Give your COC and the S1 clerk's COC a chance to fix the clerk. Otherwise that clerk will never get better at his duties. Likewise you avoid a direct confrontation that rightfully is your COC's problem to fix.
SSG Daquan Torrey Godspeed.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2021 10:21 PM

2021-12-18T22:21:52-05:00

Sounds like your S1 either doesn’t want to, or doesn’t know how to, do their job. Like everyone has stated - the order number is on the certificate. That’s all they need.

Response by SSG Daquan Torrey made Jan 16 at 2022 3:32 PM

2022-01-16T15:32:30-05:00

Leaders,

I want to say thanks for the guidance I was able to get this uploaded to my SRB. I asked for the black and white to include an SOP.