SGT(P) Peter Johnson 2360352 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div> 2017-02-21T13:01:06-05:00 SGT(P) Peter Johnson 2360352

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2017-02-21T13:01:06-05:00 2017-02-21T13:01:06-05:00 SGT Ben Keen 2360356

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I&#39;m confused by what point you are trying to make with this question. Are you asking if PCS awards should be a thing or not? If so, yes they should be a thing. Service members work hard at their duty assignment and deserve to leave with something hanging over their chest pocket.

2017-02-21T13:03:14-05:00 2017-02-21T13:03:14-05:00 SFC George Smith 2360360

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>depends on How long you were there and your accomplishments while there ... it&#39;s&#39; a Nice send off...<br />in one of the teams i was assigned to, I was filling the slots of no less than 3 if not 4 personnel...<br />Senior Company Communications and Crypto Control NCO...<br />Company Supply Sgt. <br />Property Book and sensitive item Inventory control NCO...<br />Assistant Company Operations NCO / Assistant Team Medic<br />Company Load Out and &quot;Haz-Mat &amp; -2 NCO&quot;<br />and about 4 other things... and got an MSM after 4 1/2 years...

2017-02-21T13:03:33-05:00 2017-02-21T13:03:33-05:00 MSG Private RallyPoint Member 2360361

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Since I have never received a PCS award but have watched MANY others get one..........eh, take it or leave it.

2017-02-21T13:03:40-05:00 2017-02-21T13:03:40-05:00 SFC Jim Ruether 2360380

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I personally think in many instances its a case of to little to late. I saw a lot of good talented soldiers leave because they had boarded for a promotion and it never materialized or they were doing the work for a Sgt&#39;s rank and never received it or they were just waiting for recognition and never received it until they were getting out. Sad commentary on the leadership at the time in these units for some of these cases.

2017-02-21T13:09:16-05:00 2017-02-21T13:09:16-05:00 SSG Private RallyPoint Member 2360407

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Great question. Awards are for an event, or for a period of time. I think of the accomplishments rendered over that period of time during that assignment merits an award, by all means, write it up! Now, if it is a requirement, that&#39;s the wrong answer. Awards are great, and should be given, but not blanketed over an entire population. an award given for that period of time is a great way to say &quot;Thank you&quot; to a good Soldier as he moves on to bigger and better things.

2017-02-21T13:15:44-05:00 2017-02-21T13:15:44-05:00 SGT Dave Tracy 2360419

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Take it or leave it I guess. I did observe a bit of butt-kiss factor with regards to PCS/ETS awards (ARCOM for going away? Really? C&#39;mon!), but generally soldiers got something. That said, the paperwork for my AAM got lost while my unit was doing its field exercise and no one was cared to find or redo it. It was one of those &quot; umm, okay&quot; moments, but it didn&#39;t break my heart; I was more focused on leaving.<br /> <br />Funny thing was a full year after I left Active Duty I got a call from my old 1SG asking for my address to send my good conduct medal-which I never did receive anyway. So while I had him on the phone I asked if he knew whatever happened to my AAM paperwork and if I&#39;d ever see it. His response: &quot;Nope.&quot; <br /> <br />Oh well. Drive on! Ha ha ha ha!!

2017-02-21T13:18:57-05:00 2017-02-21T13:18:57-05:00 Lt Col Jim Coe 2360604

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>During first 8 years of my career, AF Commendation Medal was almost automatic for Company Grade officers. It wasn&#39;t normally presented until it caught up with you at next assignment. After that it seemed leaders caught on to the benefits of presenting PCS awards before the person left. My next two awards were presented that way. A better idea by far. When US Readiness Command dissolved we were told to write up ourselves for whatever award we liked. I selected the Joint Commendation because I didn&#39;t have one. Later when I went PCS from MacDill, I received a Defense MSM. Never figured that one out. I wrote several Commendation and MSM medals for PCSing people. In general they deserved them.

2017-02-21T14:16:05-05:00 2017-02-21T14:16:05-05:00 SGT Philip Roncari 2360763

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I must ask,what is a PCS award?I got out in 1968 so this must be something new,someone once told me there are no stupid questions.......so.

2017-02-21T15:16:17-05:00 2017-02-21T15:16:17-05:00 MSG Private RallyPoint Member 2361209

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>My professional opinion on ALL awards is that they should be based off of merit and achievements versus rank. I cant tell you how many battles I fought for my Soldiers and NCOs having awards downgraded because a Sergeant who&#39;s been in the unit for 4 years, deployed, achieved many great things with his Soldiers and squad, and represented the Squadron at many higher echelon function&#39;s doesn&#39;t deserve an ARCOM because he&#39;s just a Sergeant. With four strong bullets quantifiable, I saw no reason why it got downgraded and just because of rank. The reasoning behind it from our SCO was that only Staff Sergeant&#39;s and Above deserve ARCOMs. Awards are a tough battle, however, it&#39;s a battle I&#39;m willing to fight to the end-state for my Soldier&#39;s and personnel that deserve it.

2017-02-21T18:35:17-05:00 2017-02-21T18:35:17-05:00 1SG Mike Case 2361326

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Now everyone has a story about a PFC who ran a BN or some other great thing but was given an AAM because he was only a PFC and we have seen the senior NCO get the MSM but all he did was sit at his desk. Now, should someone receive an &quot;award&quot; for their time in a unit, I saw yes. The problem the Army (I will speak for the Army since I can&#39;t about the other services) is that Soldiers think it is an automatic thing. Just because a SGT came to work everyday, doesn&#39;t mean he deserve an ARCOM. Maybe a Certificate of Achievement might be in order. As leaders, we have become afraid to give Soldiers that honest speak. Some Soldiers came to work and receive a paycheck. That is all they get when they leave. Hopefully, you have captured this in their monthly counseling. Hopefully, that SPC who went way above and beyond the responsibilities and duties of a SPC will be properly award the award they earned and not one because SPC&#39;s only get AAM&#39;s. Do the right thing for your Soldiers and award them when it warrants it.

2017-02-21T19:38:49-05:00 2017-02-21T19:38:49-05:00 Sgt Private RallyPoint Member 2361402

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div><a class="dark-link bold-link" role="profile-hover" data-qtip-container="body" data-id="19436" data-source-page-controller="question_response_contents" href="/profiles/19436-sgt-p-peter-johnson">SGT(P) Peter Johnson</a> I served from 1968 to 1972. I received a 1st Marine Division plaque when I left Vietnam, but no other PCS award. I was not expecting anything, so I am not sure why they should be awarded.

2017-02-21T20:21:45-05:00 2017-02-21T20:21:45-05:00 Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth 2362624

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I believe awards are won not given because you are packing your bags. If an award is merited it should be timely and on point...not given as a consolation prize. Awards and decorations should be merited.

2017-02-22T10:20:43-05:00 2017-02-22T10:20:43-05:00 2017-02-21T13:01:06-05:00