Will I qualify for the Army Good Conduct Medal?

2019-07-19T19:33:04-04:00

I'm Reserve, but have been on Active Duty for Operational Support (ADOS) since 5 Nov 2018 and it ends on 30 September 2019. However, I begin another ADOS tour on 1 Oct 2019 until 30 Sep 2020. This will give me almost 2 years of Active time. According to AR 600-8-22 4-2c and 4-5c I need for first award only, upon termination of service on or after 27 June 1950, of less than 3 years but more than 1 year. My understanding is I qualify. Am I correct? PFC Private RallyPoint Member SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SSG(P) James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" LTC Stephen F. CPL Dave Hoover SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth PVT James Strait SSG Private RallyPoint Member Capt Dwayne Conyers CPT Jack Durish

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Jul 19 at 2019 7:45 PM

2019-07-19T19:45:36-04:00

Check with your personell section. Normally it is considered a break in service when ADOS ends even if it starts again.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2019 9:46 AM

2019-07-20T09:46:21-04:00

"4-5c Upon termination of service on or after 27 June 1950, of less than 3 years but more than 1 year." The part that says upon termination of service means that when you ETS, you would be eligible for a GCM first award for those orders.
If you are not getting out, you need to string three years of ADOS together for a GCM.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jul 22 at 2019 3:27 AM

2019-07-22T03:27:15-04:00

Thank you, my friend SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member for posting an intriguing question.
I expect you will qualify for Army Good Conduct Medal as long as your Chain of Command concurs.
I qualified for the Army Good Conduct Medal in just over one year [1975]. Ironically I had a company grade Article 15 in the interim but that did not stop the award of the Army Good Conduct Medal.

Per https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/Army%20Good%20Conduct%20Medal%20AGCM
Personnel Eligible:
1. Active Component enlisted Soldiers.
2. Active Guard Reserve (AGR) enlisted personnel serving on extended periods of active duty (other than for training) under titles 10 and 32, USC are eligible for award of the AGCM for qualifying service beginning on or after 1 September 1982, provided no period of the service has been duplicated by the same period of service for which the Soldier has been awarded the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (ARCAM). The AGCM qualification period may commence anytime during the three years immediately preceding the 1 September 1982 effective date provided no portion of service for the AGCM is included in a period of service for which the ARCAM was awarded.
3. Retroactively to eligible Army of the United States (AUS) enlisted personnel.
4. Other Army enlisted personnel as may be directed by the Secretary of the Army.
5. Ready Reserve enlisted personnel ordered to active duty under title 10, USC.

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