The Army Commendation Medal

[Pergite]

A couple of colleagues just got awarded The Army Commendation Medal for their service in Afghanistan. How much merit is genrally considerded when awarding this medal, how common is it?

Medals overe here are quite rare. We basically have four, one four national service, one for international service and two for valor. The colorfull U.S medal system as always been looked upon in awe


Lucky recipient with friend

[medevac]

Here is the military regs regarding the medal:






Army Commendation Medal

a. The Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) was established by War Department Circular 377, 18 December 1945 (amended in DA General Orders 10, 31 March 1960).

b. The ARCOM is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Army after 6 December 1941, distinguishes himself or herself by heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service. Award may be made to a member of the Armed Forces of a friendly foreign nation who, after 1 June 1962, distinguishes himself or herself by an act of heroism, extraordinary achievement, or meritorious service which has been of mutual benefit to a friendly nation and the United States.

c. Awards of the ARCOM may be made for acts of valor performed under circumstances described above which are of lesser degree than required for award of the Bronze Star Medal. These acts may involve aerial flight.

d. 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.

e. The ARCOM will not be awarded to general officers.

f. Awards of the ARCOM may be made on letter application to Commander, ARPERCEN, ATTN: DARP-VSE-A, 9700 Page Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63132-5200, to any individual commended after 6 December 1941 and before to 1 January 1946 in a letter, recognition, or order of commendation, as distinguished from letter of appreciation, signed by an officer in the grade or position of a major general or higher. Awards of the Army Commendation Ribbon and of the Commendation Ribbon with Metal Pendant were redesignated by DA General Orders 10, 31 March 1960, as awards of the Army Commendation Medal, without amendment of orders previously issued.

AR 600-8-22 25 February 1995 3-16

[RapierFighter]

The Army Commendation Medal is a fairly prestigious award that can be conferred upon an individual for numerous reasons. One of them is valor in combat, but this is for a valor of a less significant nature than that which might cause the person in question to recieve an actual medal for valor, such as the Bronze Star. In such circumstances, a small pin in the shape of the letter 'V' is worn on both the medal and ribbon, to denote that the medal was awarded for valor.

In most circumstances, the Army Commendation Medal is awarded for outstnding service in almost any Army method of service of a non-combat related nature.

It can also be awarded for heroism in a non-combat situation, such as the saving of another's life during an accident, but the circumstances are not valid to recieve the Soldier's Medal (which is specifically for saving someone's life in a non-combat situation).

The Army Commendation Medal is usually awarded to non-commissioned officers or officers at the rank of colonel or below.

Except under combat or other stressful situations, the medal is not usually awarded to commissioned officers beneath the rank of captain, although there is no rule against awarding the medal to a second or first lieutenant, but officers at such rank usually have not had the experience to show meritorious service worthy of the ARCOM.

General officers are not to be awarded the medal.

Warrant officers can be.

If I may be a little arrogant, I have been awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal twice. Once was for a combat situation (in Afghanistan) and the other I recieved stateside for non-combat service.

[Freightshaker]

Arcoms are actually quite common. I got out with 5.

[RichardS]

My dad got 1 from the Air Force.

[Scout32]

I got mine in 1982 while I was driving my Battalion Commander in the 1/50 Infantry.The citation was mostly standard pap about devotion to duty etc.P art of the time period noted in the citation I was on emergency leave.The LTC told me I needed more fruit salad and I would get 5 points for my next promotion.When I asked him what it was specifically for, he said it was for meritorious jeep driving.

[Slug]

I got nothing.

[RapierFighter]

Originally Posted by Slug

I got nothing.

yeah, but all the medals in the world don't do anything for me.

Not like a beer does.

[dhuffjr]

Originally Posted by Slug

I got nothing.

What? Not even a tatoo? Maybe an embroidered jacket from the mamasan at Saigon Sams?

[medevac]

20 medals and one dollar will get you a cup of coffee


that is why I laugh whenever I see MM strutting around claiming to have a silver star. rofl

[Freightshaker]

It seems that you would recieve awards for stuff you thought was common place and wouldn't recieve awards for stuff you thought you should. Guess it all balances out in the end.

[medevac]

Originally Posted by freightshaker

It seems that you would recieve awards for stuff you thought was common place and wouldn't recieve awards for stuff you thought you should. Guess it all balances out in the end.

I agree with you totally!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Actually, I found in Vietnam that the officers took care of each other and recommended other officers for medals that were not deserved. Guess corruption is everwhere.