When I retired, my squadron was in between splitting into two sections and nothing much was done for Retirees. How can I get an MSM?

2022-05-31T17:22:12-04:00

I never got the Recognition for 24 years of service n I’d like to get an MSM award retroactive for my dedication to the USAF. How or who can authorize an MSM Award?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2022 5:37 PM

2022-05-31T17:37:39-04:00

That's not how this works. That's not how any of this works. Retirement, PCS and ETS awards, according to the Army, are not automatic. The Air Force probably has the same thing going on.

If you went thru a retirement ceremony but never received an award for retirement, then your last command is at the core of this. Depending on WHEN you retired, no one you served with may even be in the unit....and possibly retired as well.

For the Army, the approving authority for an MSM is the first General Officer within the Chain of Command. The AF may have the same rules but you should look into the AFI for awards.

Also, there is no way you could write up your own retroactive retirement award and submit it for approval. That dog just won't hunt. That dog wouldn't even be able to get off the porch.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made May 31 at 2022 7:09 PM

2022-05-31T19:09:00-04:00

No one is entitled to an award.

The only thing I can find in the AFI about awards is requesting a reconsideration or upgrade of a decoration but, since you never got one, there's nothing to reconsider or upgrade. You should have brought it up before you retired.

3.15. Request Reconsideration or Upgrade of a Decoration.
3.15.1. Requests for reconsideration of a previously disapproved or downgraded decoration,
or upgrade of a previously approved decoration must be placed in official channels within 1
year of the awarding authority’s decision. (T-0). Follow the submission procedures in
paragraphs A9.3 and 3.31; and see checklist at Table 3.1.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2022 12:23 AM

2022-06-01T00:23:09-04:00

Sorry to be blunt, but that’s not going to happen.

Response by SMSgt Anil Heendeniya made Jun 1 at 2022 5:04 AM

2022-06-01T05:04:46-04:00

Given your last rant it's clear you have nothing in your work history to support your fantasy. Walk away and be happy you got to "serve."

Response by MSgt Robert Brengle made Jun 2 at 2022 6:53 PM

2022-06-02T18:53:27-04:00

Sad that some Chiefs don’t like to write Awards or if you’re not one of their favorites you can’t get an MSM. That was my case as I had back surgery during my last few years in the AF before I retired. So I was out of work a lot n wasn’t into doing Squadron things like being on the Commander Soft Ball Team. Anyway I had ask for an MSM but the Old Chief said no and down graded it to an Accommodation Award telling me that just serving in the AF for 24 years , and he didn’t take into account my clean record , he said MSM are not given out like that.
Once I retired I’ve meet up with a lot of AF retirees that got MSM.
Who can I get to change my Accommodation to a MSM?

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jun 3 at 2022 12:15 PM

2022-06-03T12:15:53-04:00

Did you get ANY award? Or did you receive a Commendation Medal and just don't like it?