“YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” “YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” MILITARY AWARDS PROCESS By: INSERT YOUR NAME

TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE ACTION: Recommend Individual for Award CONDITIONS: Given a classroom environment and an opportunity to observe or evaluate performance of subordinates or to observe an act of an individual that warrants recognition, and access to AR , DA Form 638, Recommendation for Award, pen and/or computer with authorized software. STANDARDS: Prepare a DA Form 638 and include personal data, recommended award, and justification (achievement) entered in bullet format. Forward the DA Form 638 to the commander of the individual. “YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” “YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!”

ENABLEING LEARNING OBJECTIVE (A) ACTION: Determine the type of individual decoration merited. CONDITIONS: Given a classroom environment and an opportunity to observe or evaluate performance of subordinates or to observe an act of an individual that warrants recognition, and access to AR , DA Form 638, Recommendation for Award, pen and/or computer with authorized software. STANDARDS: Prepare a DA Form 638 and include personal data, recommended award, and justification (achievement) entered in bullet format. Forwarded the DA Form 638 to the commander of the individual. “YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” “YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!”

REVIEW AUTHORIZED AWARDS STEP #1 AR , Chapter 3, lists authorized individual decorations in order of precedence 1.Medal of Honor 2. Distinguished Service Cross 3. Distinguished Service Medal 4. Silver Star 5. Legion of Merit 6. Distinguished Flying Cross 7. Soldier’s Medal 8. Bronze Star Medal 9. Meritorious Service Medal 10. Air Medal 11. Army Commendation Medal 12. Army Achievement Medal

“YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” “YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” STEP #2 COMPARE PERFORMANCE OR ACT AGAINST AWARD CRITERION Bronze Star Medal criterion (BSM): The Bronze Star Medal was established by Executive Order 9419, 4 February 1944 (superseded by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962). Awards may be made to recognize single acts of merit or meritorious service. The lesser degree than that required for the award of the Legion of Merit must nevertheless have been meritorious and accomplished with distinction. Awards may be made for acts of heroism which are of lesser degree than required for the award of the Silver Star.

“YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” “YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” STEP #2 cont. COMPARE PERFORMANCE OR ACT AGAINST AWARD CRITERION Meritorious Service Medal criterion (MSM): The Meritorious Service Medal was established by Executive Order 11448, 16 January 1969 as amended by Executive Order 12312,2 July The Meritorious Service Medal is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States or to any member of the Armed Forces of a friendly foreign nation who, while serving in a noncombat area after 16 January 1969, has distinguished himself or herself by outstanding meritorious achievement or service.

“YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” “YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” STEP #2 cont. COMPARE PERFORMANCE OR ACT AGAINST AWARD CRITERION Army Commendation Medal criterion (ARCOM): Army Commendation Medal was established by War Department Circular 377, 18 December 1945 (amended in DA General Orders 10, 31 March 1960). Awards of the ARCOM may be made for acts of valor performed under circumstances which are of lesser degree than required for award of the Bronze Star Medal. These acts may involve aerial flight. An award of the ARCOM may be made for acts of noncombatant- related heroism which do not meet the requirements for an award of the Soldier’s Medal. * The ARCOM will not be awarded to general officers An award of the ARCOM may be made for an individual that distinguishes himself or herself by meritorious achievement or meritorious service.

“YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” “YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” STEP #2 cont. COMPARE PERFORMANCE OR ACT AGAINST AWARD CRITERION Army Achievement Medal criterion (AAM): The Army Achievement Medal (AAM) was established by the Secretary of the Army, 10 April The AAM is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States, or to any member of the Armed Forces of a friendly foreign nation, who while serving in any capacity with the Army in a noncombat area on or after 1 August 1981, distinguished himself or herself by meritorious service or achievement of a lesser degree than required for award of the Army Commendation Medal. * The AAM will not be awarded to general officers

“YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” “YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” CHECK ON LEARNING Q: How many individual decorations are outlined in chapter 3 of AR ? A: There are 12 individual decorations outlined in chapter 3 of AR Q: Can a general officer be recommended to receive an AAM? A: No, IAW AR , general officers may not receive an AAM or an ARCOM

ENABLEING LEARNING OBJECTIVE (B) ACTION: Determine criteria for submitting award recommendations CONDITIONS: Given a classroom environment and an opportunity to observe or evaluate performance of subordinates or to observe an act of an individual that warrants recognition, and access to AR , DA Form 638, Recommendation for Award, pen and/or computer with authorized software. STANDARDS: Prepare a DA Form 638 and include personal data, recommended award, and justification (achievement) entered in bullet format. Forwarded the DA Form 638 to the commander of the individual. “YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” “YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!”

DETERMINING CRITERIA FOR SUBMITTING AN AWARD Anyone can submit a recommendation for an award. “It is the responsibility of any individual having personal knowledge of an act, achievement, or service believed to warrant the award of a decoration, to submit a formal recommendation into military command channels for consideration.” You cannot submit yourself for an award Each recommendation for an award of a military decoration must be entered administratively within 2 years of the act, achievement, or service. A medal will not be awarded to any individual whose entire service subsequent to the time of the act, achievement, or service has not been honorable.

“YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” “YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” DETERMINING CRITERIA FOR SUBMITTING AN AWARD (cont.) Individuals on whom favorable personnel actions have been suspended (flagged), neither are recommended for nor receive awards during the period of suspension As an exception to the above rule, a soldier who is flagged for being overweight may be recommended for an award based on valor, heroism or length of service. No more than one decoration may be awarded to an individual for the same act, achievement, or period of meritorious service. Awards for meritorious service or achievement is not based on the pay grade of the intended recipient.

“YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” “YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” DETERMINING CRITERIA FOR SUBMITTING AN AWARD (cont.) Commands cannot put a “quota” on awards The final approval authorities are as follows: BSM: Chief of Staff, U.S. Army ARCOM: Colonel, or higher MSM: Major General, or higher AAM: Lieutenant Colonel, or higher

“YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” “YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” CHECK ON LEARNING Q: Who has the authority to recommend an individual for an award? A: Anyone can submit a recommendation for an award Q: Since you’re an outstanding soldier, can you submit yourself for an award? A: No, IAW AR , you cannot submit yourself for an award

“YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” “YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” ENABLEING LEARNING OBJECTIVE (C) ACTION: Prepare the award recommendation (DA Form 638) CONDITIONS: Given a classroom environment and an opportunity to observe or evaluate performance of subordinates or to observe an act of an individual that warrants recognition, and access to AR , DA Form 638, Recommendation for Award, pen and/or computer with authorized software. STANDARDS: Prepare a DA Form 638 and include personal data, recommended award, and justification (achievement) entered in bullet format. Forwarded the DA Form 638 to the commander of the individual.

“YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” “YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” PREPARE THE AWARD RECOMMENDATION, DA FORM 638

“YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” “YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” PREPARE THE AWARD RECOMMENDATION, DA FORM 638 IAW AR CHP 3, SECTION III, PARAGRAPH 3-19: The recommender complete parts I, II, and III of the DA Form 638. Typing is not required, but handwritten or hand-printed recommendations must be legible using black ink. (Typing is authorized only if non-PAC personnel prepare the form).

“YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” “YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” PREPARE THE AWARD RECOMMENDATION, DA FORM 638 PART I : SOLDIER DATA

“YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” “YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” PREPARE THE AWARD RECOMMENDATION, DA FORM 638 CDR, 28 TH TRANS BN APO AE CDR, 69 TH TRANS CO APO AE MAY 03 JASON L. BERNARDY SGT TH TRANS CO APO, AE AAM (1OLC), ARCOM, GCM (USMC) AAM 25 APR 03 ACH X X

“YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” “YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” PREPARE THE AWARD RECOMMENDATION, DA FORM 638 PART II : RECOMMENDER DATA

“YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” “YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” PREPARE THE AWARD RECOMMENDATION, DA FORM 638 John, C. Snuffy COMMAND SERGEANT MAJORCSM 28 th TRANS BN CMR 418 APO, AE John C Snuffy COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR

“YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” “YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” PREPARE THE AWARD RECOMMENDATION, DA FORM 638 PART III : JUSTIFICATION AND CITATION DATA

“YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” “YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” PREPARE THE AWARD RECOMMENDATION, DA FORM 638 SERGEANT BERNARDY DISPLAYED EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE DURING THE FY 02 “NCO OF THE YEAR” COMPETITION AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY SELECTED AS THE 28 TRANSPORTATION BATTALION “NCO OF THE YEAR”, FY 02 Meritorious achievement by competing for and being selected as the 28 th Transportation Battalion NCO of the Year, FY 02. You achieved this milestone in your career by your knowledge of military subjects, superb military appearance, leadership abilities, awareness of current events, duty performance and overall professionalism. Your performance reflects great credit upon you, your unit, and the United States Army.

“YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” “YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” CHECK ON LEARNING Q: What sections of the DA FORM 638 does the recommender complete? A: The recommender is required to complete section I, II, and III of the DA FORM 638 Q: When is the only time the recommender is required to complete block 9 of the DA FORM 638? A: Use block 9 only for recommendations for award to members of other U.S. Armed Services and foreign nationals.

“YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” “YOU LEAD FROM THE FRONT!” SUMMARY