Which form would I use to submit an Army award for a member of the AF, the DA Form 638 or the AF From 1206?

2021-08-24T12:06:04-04:00

I want to recognize two US Air Force personnel with an ARCOM for their vast assistance to my team while we were deployed to KSA. I have never submitted an award recommendation for a person from a different branch before. Would I use the DA Form 638 or the AF From 1206?

Response by CSM Chuck Stafford made Aug 24 at 2021 12:07 PM

2021-08-24T12:07:50-04:00

Use the 638 - Good on you for recognizing deserving airmen. Assumption is you are deployed with an Army unit.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2021 12:17 PM

2021-08-24T12:17:51-04:00

Would a Joint Service Commendation Medal be possible?

I think a 638 would be appropriate whether ARCOM or JSCM as there is an option on block 9 for branch of service.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2021 1:32 PM

2021-08-24T13:32:50-04:00

SFC Livingston,
My answer is anecdotal only. While deployed to Afghanistan in late 2020, I was awarded an AFCOM (with "C" device) from the Air Force unit I was assigned to. Everything for that award was done through their (the Air Force) awards process. My suggestion is to use the DA Form 638 if you are going to recommend for the ARCOM.
To note, I later needed a concurrence memo from the Army Awards and Decorations Branch to justify the award/receipt of an award from another Service.

Response by MSG Thomas Currie made Aug 24 at 2021 2:39 PM

2021-08-24T14:39:35-04:00

You are recommending the airmen for an ARMY Commendation Medal, which has an army officer as the approving authority. The form you use is ARMY DA form 638. The same would also be true if you were recommending them for the Joint Service Commendation Medal if your unit qualified as a "joint" assignment.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2021 4:08 PM

2021-08-24T16:08:25-04:00

That’s great of you to do that sort of recognition for this Airman. Make sure that the award is something that can be given to Soldiers outside of the Army first and if so, then it would be on a DA Form 638 and signed by the appropriate chain in your leadership. You may need additional guidance from your S1 regarding the additional documents to submit besides the 638 as typically an ARB and PT card are required per the PAG checklist. Good luck and good watching out!