Comments on: Awards Bias

By: Jay Mahn

Jay Mahn — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:40:22 +0000

You know I am fighting this right now with my LT from Viet Nam. I was in a ARP/LRP unit of the 11th ACR..recently We discovered that many of the soldiers didn't even get CIB's even though all had or were involved in 4 or more major contacts where we lost KIA's and many WIA's. I found out recently that the pilots all had DFC's Silver Stars,BSM/V's AM's, Arcoms you name it. Even though the guys were put in for various awards non or few received anything now we are fighting to right the wrongs. We found out that the Awards officer trashed most of ours. For what reasons who knows. One Medic was put in for the MOH heard nothing and was then given a Silver star 10 years later with NO orders.
Presented by a Congressman. This whole deal stinks. Rank has its privilege..

By: CJ

CJ — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:00:16 +0000

I sure am. Just send me an email either to cj[at]soldiersperspective.us or through my AKO.

By: TKOEF

TKOEF — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:30:34 +0000

Top,
This was posted some time ago. I'm just wondering if you're available to answer a question I have?

By: Sandygos

Sandygos — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 03:12:26 +0000

Totally agree with you. I saw this problem myself. As a 1LT I was denied an AAM because "I already had one and LT's should only have one". Funny thing…I busted my arse so much he couldn't get away with doing that again and I got two others before he left command…

By: GIles

GIles — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:30:14 +0000

This very a very good post. I have served for over 13 years. I have list of accomplishments that I have all the documents and evidence from my accomplishments. It is good to know that my previous leadership has been given awards. I have documented that as well.

In peacetime and deployment, I have seen awards go to people with UCMJ actions, investigations, Height/Weight issues, and for doing nothing.

I have never had a UCMJ action and have met the standards.

I have given plenty of awards for my Soldiers. My mentors trained me right. (know your troops)

Yet, I have never received an award.Quite frankly, I don't care for them anyway. INmy opinion, it is results that matter not the awards. This experience has only makes me a stronger leader.

By: SGT Swartz

SGT Swartz — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 22:39:34 +0000

Top,
I was just promoted on June 1st this year and am in the process of writing my first award for one of my soldiers. He is a SPC and has been recommended for an ARCOM by another unit's CWO3 for bringing in a mission that no one at site could accomplish (we're strategic SATCOM). The award was downgraded to a Certificate of Appreciation, not even a Certificate of Achievement!

For 2 months at the beginning of the year he worked as our STEP NCOIC, a position normally manned by a SSG or higer. He received no recognition for this. Now he is back on shift under myself and he was again pulled to the STEP office because the SSG who normally holds that position had to go out on emergency leave. For the past two weeks he has been pulling double duty working 15 hr. shifts also responsible for STEP and Circuit Actions. I found your entry VERY helpful and just want you to know that you have supplied me with knowledge as to how the system works and what to expect.

Thank You,
SGT Swartz

By: Teflon Don

Teflon Don — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:03:16 +0000

Top- great post.

I remember reading the account Jules wrote about the firefight you described. I never made the connection and realized that you and your guys were the ones involved. If I recall correctly, he wrote that that firefight was the one time he wished he was carrying a weapon.

I thin everyone who has been in the military has stories similar to yours. The one of mine that burned me the most was when my battalion put the S1 in for a BSM(V) for "holding the battalion together" in Ramadi after an IED strike killed 3 soldiers from my platoon in Falluja. Meanwhile, two soldiers who performed heroically on the ground had their BSM(V) citations downgraded to an ARCOM(V) and a ARCOM. Go Army.

By: Consul-At-Arms

Consul-At-Arms — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 04:57:20 +0000

Great post. I've linked back to you here: consul-at-arm...ds-bias.html

By: Marcus

Marcus — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 18:11:53 +0000

CJ, the Army isn't the only branch that has problems writing up awards. Every thing you said can be echoed on the Marine Corps side of the house.

Just an example from my deployment last year, we had special staff officers and SNCOs getting NavyCom medals and above while the troops who were out pushing up the dirt to make the COP, building the SWA huts for the COP, and providing security were lucky to get a CerCom. I was one of those special staff NCOs who ended up getting squished for awards because the S-1 section "didn't do anything" on the deployment. Yeah, okay. I deployed doing a job that I hadn't even been to the formal school for and still did better than a lot of the people from other units who had been to the formal school! Not complaining about the award I got, but let's use some common sense, folks.

By: Mekan

Mekan — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 22:53:26 +0000

Top,
Your point is well taken.