What type of bullets should be included in an ETS award?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Nov 2018 15:11:01 -0400

Not sure how to phrase this question so I'll just put it out there: I was told by my PSG to write up my ETS award as I am getting out within the next 5 months, and I'm not sure exactly what to put for bullets. To me it seems hard to put 3 and a half years of service in a unit into 4 bullets, although I know it's possible. Do I put achievements from my time as an E1 to E4 or should I focus more on my time as an NCO? I'm not looking for someone to write my bullets for me, just some insight on what they might look like. Sorry in advance for being all over the place, any help is greatly appreciated!

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Nov 3 at 2018 3:19 PM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Sat, 03 Nov 2018 15:19:51 -0400

Pick the most important things. Money, People, Leadership.

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made Nov 3 at 2018 3:21 PM

MSG Frank Kapaun — Sat, 03 Nov 2018 15:21:43 -0400

Try the following bullets:
This man is a speeding bullet, there is no stopping him.
This man is loaded with JP4.
The unit refers to him as plasma, because he is it’s lifeblood.
This man is seldom drunk on duty.

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Nov 3 at 2018 3:29 PM

PVT Mark Zehner — Sat, 03 Nov 2018 15:29:13 -0400

People, knowledge and leadership!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2018 3:51 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Nov 2018 15:51:56 -0400

Telling an SM to write their own award is pure laziness on the PSG’s part. Awards are easy as hell to write and that’s either his or your SQD LDRs responsibly to do.
Just my 1/2-cent worth.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2018 4:01 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Nov 2018 16:01:57 -0400

Cover as much of your service as you believe is necessary to justify the award being submitted.
Consider past awards

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Nov 3 at 2018 4:02 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sat, 03 Nov 2018 16:02:01 -0400

Follow the star format: Situation, task, action, result. Bridge the result to the mission of the approval level of the award (ARCOM - Brigade. MSM - Division). Youare only going to get three to four sentences per bullet. DM me if you need some help.

Pick four to six events in your career from the last ten years.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2018 5:08 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Nov 2018 17:08:53 -0400

The award is really a gimme since it is most likely getting approved regardless of what you put. It's really an award for your years honorably served. In my opinion, just list the four achievements that you will remember fondly when you find the paperwork while cleaning out the house in 20 years.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Nov 3 at 2018 6:47 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Sat, 03 Nov 2018 18:47:11 -0400

Are you retiring?
That is the only Service award covered under the reg.
1–22. Recognition upon retirement
a. Period of service. Each individual approaching retirement may be considered for an appropriate decoration based on his or her grade, years of service, degree of responsibility, and manner of performance.
b. Service awards. Meritorious service awards may be awarded, upon retirement, which may include periods of service longer than that served in the recommending command. It is recommended that such periods be limited to the last 10 years of service. This is not to imply that an extended period of service should be considered for every individual who retires. An extended period should only be considered in those cases where the length or nature of the individual’s terminal assignment would not qualify him or her for an appropriate award. It is neither necessary nor desirable to consider an extended period of service when the length and character of service of retirees in their terminal
assignments would qualify them for an appropriate award. When writing the citation, it is not necessary to indicate the time period again; it is only pertinent to mention the total number of years of service, for example, over 22 years or 30 years of service.
c. Submissions. Award recommendations submitted for meritorious service based upon retirement will be submitted so that they may be processed to conclusion prior to the requested presentation date. In determining the presentation date, the recommender must take into account the Soldier’s requested retirement date, number of days of any transition leave, and authorized travel/transition processing time. Recommendations for awards being submitted to HQ, USA HRC for final action will be initiated sufficiently in advance to arrive not less than 90 days before the desired presentation date.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2018 8:28 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Nov 2018 20:28:09 -0400

I would recommend you focus on all of your major accomplishments throughout your time in service. But, if you want a reference website that has bullets you can review to see what kicks your thoughts, try http://www.armywriter.com/army-award-bullets.htm

Army Award Bullets

examples of Army Awards...Leadership, Self-Improvement, Community Involvement...

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2018 8:28 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Nov 2018 20:28:18 -0400

When I wrote one for a Soldier I only worked with for a year (which is nothing in the reserve). I asked him to give me all his NCOERs. I used those to paint a picture in my head of his major accomplishments over the years. It was good enough to write for an ARCOM.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Nov 4 at 2018 12:29 AM

SN Greg Wright — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 00:29:03 -0400

Really? A military audience and no one says this? :)

Flachette rounds, of course.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2018 8:43 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 08:43:55 -0500

Think about how you impacted the Army, your local community and your CMF. Send me your email and I’ll give you some started ideas or example to assist you.
You really shouldn’t write your own but you should give your leader points.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 4 at 2018 1:35 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 13:35:21 -0500

God's gift to the Army.

Response by SFC Scott Higgins made Nov 6 at 2018 2:05 PM

SFC Scott Higgins — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 14:05:49 -0500

When I was a SGT, my Plt Sgt had me write up my bullets for my NCOER. I thought it was an exercise as I had no soldiers a the time to rate. Ended up, my NCOER was exactly what I had submitted. So, my advice - Pick those items you excelled in i.e. 4 times maxed APFT. Soldier of the Year FY'XX, Served in Operation Desert Storm, etc.. You get the idea. This will be your final award....Make it count. Also, Thank you for your service.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Nov 6 at 2018 4:22 PM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 16:22:58 -0500

5.56 or maybe 7.62

Response by SrA John Monette made Nov 6 at 2018 4:39 PM

SrA John Monette — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 16:39:10 -0500

just make the bullet points as long and detailed as you have to

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2019 7:50 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 19:50:57 -0400

Well for one you shouldn’t be writing your own award. The fact that you are, and for an ETS award, shows quite a bit of laziness and disregard by who was suppose to write it. If you are writing an ETS award though simply highlight your biggest achievements. Stuff you did to impact the organization, Soldiers directly, and things you have accomplished.