Should I wait to submit an award for more bullets and a higher commendation?

2013-12-28T21:32:34-05:00

I have a soldier who single handedly brought a certain personnel roster up to date after 10 months of delinquency due to deployment. He has also set himself apart by making that his baby and has done an outstanding job keeping it up to date. I want to submit him for an award, but it would only be an AAM at this time since it directly benefits my squadron and not the Brigade. However since we are deactivating in the near future I have a chance to add several SOLID bullets that may push it to an ARCOM. He already has a number of AAMs and if I were to submit the award as is I am certain he would get an AAM. DO you think I should wait and push for the ARCOM?

Response by SFC Rocky Gannon made Dec 28 at 2013 9:34 PM

2013-12-28T21:34:50-05:00

SGT H, give a Impact AAM, I am sure he has done other things and will do more during deactiving to get another/higher award.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2013 9:43 PM

2013-12-28T21:43:02-05:00

Depends really on how much impact your Battalion Command Team thinks that Soldiers contribution was. Generally when they feel it's that type of impact to warrant an award higher than an AAM they usually are the ones beating up the company leadership to get it written up and sent up. More times than not they don't know the small victories and it's up to leaders like yourself to send it up. I recommend discussing this with your company CDR/1SG to get their feel of it and quickly because it sounds like they're closing down soon and chances are your soldier will never see that award because of deactivation.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2013 3:47 AM

2013-12-29T03:47:51-05:00

I would definitely start adding those other bullets and push it up as an ARCOM. Now I don 't know if this roster task was in his duty/job description or if it was inherited. If its part of his normal MSO duty, then that's probably how it will be viewed at the board-nothing above and beyond. But if its out of his lane and you have some strong add'l bullets, if it were me, I'd definitely push it up as the ARCOM.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2013 5:36 PM

2013-12-29T17:36:52-05:00

I think it all depends on the entire situation. Is the soldier working on promotion points? Is the soldier maxed out on points for awards? If the soldier is working on points for promotion the best course of action, I think, would be to submit all of the different bullets in different awards. Five AAMs is worth more than one ARCOM. On the other hand if the soldier is maxed out on award points, honestly, I would put it all together as an ARCOM. The soldier needs to be recognized either way, I think.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2013 9:18 PM

2013-12-29T21:18:22-05:00

I personally wouldn't wait. All too often soldiers do not get recognized for the great individual work they do because of the 'he's already got x amount' rationality. Remember that as he grows up, it's not just appearances of medals on his chest, but what each medal was awarded for. There is the possibility you leave, he gets tranfered to another squad, section, etc... and this opportunity for him is just another blip on the radar for someone else to not deem worthy. Award the guy for his job well done and let the PCS/ETS award write itself for higher commendation by actions he has done throughout his time there.

In relationship to other comments, points for promotion is the very last reason a soldier should not be recognized. It is not my place to say whether or not this task deserves an award or not, but you as the recommender seem to deem it worthy and that's all that matters. Remembering that a soldiers career does not end after promotion to E5/E6 and that his entire board file for E7 and higher need to reflect his ability to perform ahead of his peers. Each and every little thing contributes to that. It is up to the task completed to duty description for the command group to approve an award. You write it well enough, and they will have no choice but to approve it if it's deemed appropriate.