Army Awards Program AR

Oversee Goals & Objectives of Awards Program Award Guidelines Preparing an Award Award Submission Summary Conclusion

Goals Foster mission accomplishment by recognizing excellence Motivate personnel to high levels of performance and service

Objectives Provide tangible recognition for: –Acts of valor –Exceptional service or achievement –Special skills or qualifications –Acts of heroism outside of combat Ensure command responsibility in soldier recognition

Award Guidelines (1 of 2) Time Limitations –2 year limit on submission of awards –3 year limit on receipt of awards –Exceptions: Purple Heart (PH) Retroactive awards Character of Service –Awards must be received for periods of honorable service –Waivers possible for a flag for overweight

Award Guidelines (2 of 2) Duplicate Awards –Only one decoration awarded for same act or achievement –Can receive recognition for a heroic act and for a period of service Interim Awards –Receive a lower award pending approval of a higher one –Initial award revoked once final one approved

Preparing an Award

Step One- Get the facts about the soldier’s performance Interview the soldier’s peers, superiors, and subordinates find out strong areas of performance.

Step Two- Prepare a rough draft Group the facts logically to describe up to four areas of excellence. Whenever possible, combine facts to provide more persuasive evidence that the soldier deserves the award. Examples of Areas of Excellence: *Contributions to the unit * Contributions to the section * Accomplishments in primary duties * Accomplishments in additional duties * Excellence in leading * Excellence in maintaining

Step Two - Prepare a rough draft Guidelines for writing the justification/achievement bullets Use specific facts Focus on the achievements in the following order for best results: duty position, additional duties, personal accomplishments. Place the most important achievement first. Usually this it the one that had the greatest impact on the unit, directorate or section Place team and unit results before individual results.

Step Two- Prepare a rough draft Guidelines for writing the justification/achievement bullets (cont) Guidelines for writing the justification/achievement bullets (cont) Emphasize result- what the soldier did to cause the result. Argue that the soldier had a positive impact and made contributions. Don’t simply praise the soldier for personal capabilities or potential. Don’t worry about filling up the block. On the other hand, make sure you include as many important facts as you can substantiate your recommendation. Put only one achievement in each block. However, grouping related facts under an overall area of excellence is an effective means of justification.

Step Two- Prepare a rough draft Guideline for writing the citation Organize the citation with the following structure: Opening statement of praise, support and closing statement.

Step Two- Prepare a rough draft Opening Statement of Praise: ACH- For exceptional meritorious achievement as the … PCS- For exceptional meritorious service as a … RET- For exceptional meritorious service while assigned…

Step Two- Prepare a rough draft Support Cite specific fact(s) that individualizes the award. Highlight the most outstanding achievement. Emphasize the impact on the unit. Closing Statement. Set the soldier’s achievement in the context of the unit and the United States Army. Example: SSG Doe’s outstanding duty performance and dedication to duty reflects great credit upon himself, the 15 th Regimental Signal Brigade and the United States Army.. - Do not abbreviate in the citation.

Step Three- Have someone else read the award recommendation to check your work. Route through proper channels.

Step Four- Go final and submit the award on a DA Form 638 Ensure award is submitted on new DA Form 638

( 1) Date of last APFT and Score (must not be more that 12 months old) (2) Reason why PCS, ETS, or retirements orders are not attached. (3) Height, Weight, Sex and Age of recommended soldier (4) Soldier who meets screening weight IAW AR for Body Fat Content, include soldiers authorized percent body fat and maximum allowable percent body fat. “Award Personal Data Sheet"

(5) Weapons qualification date (must not be more than 12 months old) (6) CTT date (must not be more than 12 months old) (7) In the event a retiring soldier is overweight, a statement approving waiver for overweight IAW paragraph 1-16b of this supplement. (8) Reason why award is being submitted late if recommendation is not submitted within the time frames required. Letter of lateness needed from Company Commander / Letter of Apology from Battalion Commander. “Award Personal Data Sheet"

( 9) Indicate whether or not the recommended soldier received any awards during his/her assignment at this installation. (10) Indicate whether the soldier has any derogatory information on file that might preclude favorable personnel action. (11) Forwarding Address (12) Point of Contact “Award Personal Data Sheet"

MSMs – 60 Days prior to DOP 1. DA Form 638 (DOP in 13) 2. Award Recommendation Personal Data Memo 3. Copy of Orders 4. Body Fat Worksheet ( If Applicable/ No more than 6 months) 5. Letter of lateness (If Applicable) 6. Apology Letter (If Applicable)

AAM / ARCOMs (ACH or IMPACT) – 30 Days prior to DOP 1. DA Form 638 (DOP in 13) 2. Award Recommendation Personal Data Memo 3. Body Fat Worksheet (If Applicable/ No more than 6 months)

AAM / ARCOMs (ETS,PCS, and SVC) – 30 Days prior to DOP 1. DA Form 638 (DOP in 13) 2. Award Recommendation Personal Data Memo 3. Copy of Orders 4. Body Fat Worksheet (If Applicable/ No more than 6 months) 5. Letter of Lateness (If Applicable) 6. Apology Letter (If Applicable)

IMPORTANT LAST MINUTE CHECKS a. Are FROM and TO addresses on front correct? b. Do the awards listed, match the ERB? c. Citation on the 638 are to be 4 lines (retirement -six lines)? d. If award is for retirement, does the period cover 10 years? e. Is the form printed “head-to-toe”? f. Are the TO and FROM blocks on the back all correct?

IMPORTANT LAST MINUTE CHECKS - Cont g. Are the signature blocks correct? 2. Personal Data Memorandum present and complete 3. Copy of orders with any amendments (retirement) 4. Copy of body fat sheet, if applicable 5. Letter of Lateness, if applicable