View Full Version : This is what it has come to
http://www.randolph.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123294964
A BSM for using a calculator? What is next purple heart for a paper cut?
This diminishes every BSM ever given for all the right reasons.
Sad day.
sf
Surgicalcric
03-29-2012, 20:32
Funny you should bring this up. My TS, CPT and I were discussing it earlier today in language class.
Talk about cheapening an award...
Kindly disagreeing with you gentlemen, but from what I see it appears she did her job extremely well and then some. Also, it's not like it was awarded for valor. It was awarded for merit.
When I was in Iraq every member of my unit above the grade of E-8 got a BSM as an end of mission award. All the E4's and E5's got ARCOMs. And unlike a certain individual I have in mind right now (who was also awarded a BSM as an EOM award), it seems like this Tech Sergeant actually did her job and did it well.
But being finance myself I suppose I am a little biased.
Roguish Lawyer
03-29-2012, 22:48
Kindly disagreeing with you gentlemen, but from what I see it appears she did her job extremely well and then some. Also, it's not like it was awarded for valor. It was awarded for merit.
When I was in Iraq every member of my unit above the grade of E-8 got a BSM as an end of mission award. All the E4's and E5's got ARCOMs. And unlike a certain individual I have in mind right now (who was also awarded a BSM as an EOM award), it seems like this Tech Sergeant actually did her job and did it well.
But being finance myself I suppose I am a little biased.
Please don't post again until you've posted an introduction in the proper place and otherwise followed the instructions you received when you registered. Thanks.
Sir, I actually had posted an intro some years ago when I was serving in Iraq (I remember a QP saying that he'd raise a cold one for those of us downrange and I appreciated the sentiment).
I'm not sure why my post count was reset, but this is actually my fifth post in almost three years. Under the statistics portion of my profile at least a couple of them still show up. Nonetheless, intro was reposted as requested.
Having said all that however, I maintain my point that support guys need to be recognized for solid work as well, and since this BS was awarded for merit I'm quite happy for her and her shop. It's good to make sure good work gets the recognition it deserves.
Roguish Lawyer
03-29-2012, 23:50
Nonetheless, intro was reposted as requested.
Thank you and thanks for your service.
charlietwo
03-30-2012, 00:19
Be sure to read the comment section below for a good temperature read of the Air Force's opinion on that award.
I can relate--I was awarded a BSM (for merit, w/o V device) for doing my job and to say I felt sheepish and awkward receiving it would be an understatement. :confused:
When I was in Iraq every member of my unit above the grade of E-8 got a BSM as an end of mission award. All the E4's and E5's got ARCOMs. And unlike a certain individual I have in mind right now (who was also awarded a BSM as an EOM award), it seems like this Tech Sergeant actually did her job and did it well.
But being finance myself I suppose I am a little biased.I noticed your unit disignation; when & where were you at in Iraq?
Stay safe.
Story gone from the posted link - here's the gist of it.
Gamez distinguished herself by meritorious achievement as the NCO in charge during a 365-day deployment, January 2011 to January 2012. While in Afghanistan, she accurately executed operational funds across eight remote bases, providing commanders with flexibility in support of counterinsurgency efforts. Gamez trained 68 operational fund teams, reviewed 34 projects and funded 280 joint acquisition board packages enabling critical base sustainment.
IMO - that's an MSM or JSCM citation. I'm only surprised it wasn't awarded with a "V" device or upgraded to a Soldier's Medal for 'saving' her command's paperwork-covered @$$!
And an example of the Army's contribution to such 'awards creep' BS...
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL TO
xxx
xxx, United States Army, distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious wartime service as the Operations Officer, Xxx, Multi-National Corps-Iraq, Victory Base, Iraq from 12 February 2008 to 17 April 2009 during OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. During this period, MAJ Xxx s attention to detail, devotion to duty, and determination were instrumental in the success of the MNC-I Xxx mission to provide support to Army Reserve Soldiers and units stationed throughout Iraq. Assigned to manage the day to day operations of the Xxx office at Victory Base, Iraq MAJ Xxx s dedication to the mission and his impressive resourcefulness ensured the success of the xxx office in Baghdad. Under MAJ Xxx s demonstrated professional abilities and resourcefulness he scheduled and coordinated visits to numerous locations in the Area of Operations throughout Iraq to assist Army Reserve Soldiers and their commands. MAJ Xxx provided Soldiers with the knowledge of the Xxx function in theater as well as numerous internet resources that are available for the deployed Army Reservist. MAJ Xxx tracked the location of as many as 8300 Soldiers on the battlefield every month and consolidated the information to a power point slide that is used for providing a visual report of the Army Reserve Soldiers located in Iraq. Major Xxx worked effectively and efficiently to assist the Army Reserve Soldiers in the absence of established Army Reserve personnel systems and organizations in a multi-component force. Major Xxx worked tirelessly with the finance office at Victory Base, Iraq to ensure that xxx Soldiers extending in theater for another mission, after their commands redeploy received the Assignment Incentive Pay for their extension beyond 365 days boots on the ground. His effectiveness in communicating with Central Command, FORSCOM, the United States Army Reserve Command, Human Resources Command and the Department of the Army G3 mobilization branch allowed MAJ Xxx to coordinate with various units of the Army Reserve and Active Duty to place 67 individual Soldiers on an extension order for an additional 365 days in theater filling shortages in commands where Army units came forward to theater at less than 100% strength. MAJ Xxx assisted in the development, planning, coordination and execution of five distinguished visitor itineraries in support of the Joint Monthly Access to reserve components program. This program is designed to bring Army Reserve Commanding Generals and their Command Sergeants Majors forward to Iraq on a monthly basis to visit reserve Soldiers and their units. His assistance and experience of Army Reserve challenges led to successful communication of theater specific Army Reserve issues to the senior leaders in the Army Reserve and has positively impacted operations here in theater. Major Xxx s leadership and professionalism exemplify the Army values and his actions reflect great credit upon himself, the Multi-National Corps-Iraq, the United States Army and the Department of Defense."
Richard :munchin
I noticed your unit disignation; when & where were you at in Iraq?
Sir, PM sent.
IMHO all staff and people living in a major base and never nothing more than a 107mm rkt or mortars should only get a DMSM. Point wise on broads it racks the same. When I was a S3 OPS NCOIC I submitted my staff them in lieu of BSM. S1 was you're tge first SGT. Needless to say I got over ruled. By my OIC.
What I love is when units have limits on given awards. Say a Company can only get 6 BSM. Noone ask the leadership who do you want to recieve the BSM? Nope they just say this guy or that NCO.
Awards never make people happy. But as a leader at least you tried to take care of your men. They will remember that part.
I read through those comments and have a few points. The general complaints seem to be focused on:
1. BSM awarded for something not heroic or brave
2. She should have "turned it down"
3. AF should never have submitted it and played it up in the first place.
I will agree with number 3. However, those posters clearly don't realize or understand that the BSM can be awarded for merit. Would they be so angry if she had been awarded the Legion of Merit? The LOM is a higher award than than the BSM but, somehow I think it wouldn't bother anyone. Also, anyone who has been in knows that an E-6 isn't afforded an opportunity to turn down an award. That has to be one of the most ridiculous complaints I saw over there. Whether or not the AF or the Army should or shouldn't award a BSM is a different discussion that really doesn't have anything to do with her receiving the award. She isn't the first person to get a BSM for merit.
It was the policy of MG Burton Patrick (CG, 101st Airborne Division, 1984-1984 time frame) to visit units from time to time and have his aide carry a few Army Commendation Medals in his pocket. He would make "on the spot" awards.
Once, during an exercise called GALLANT KNIGHT, General Patrick unexpectedly showed up at the Brigade TOC. The HHC cook had actually gone to the time and trouble of exercising the field ovens that morning, and the cook had baked fresh bread for breakfast. It was much enjoyed after a week of eating tray packs and MRE's.
General Patrick walked into the TOC, looked at the maps, checked the deployment, etc., then asked the Brigade Commander "So, who deserves a medal today?" as he munched on some freshly baked bread.
The Colonel took a quick poll of the command staff and we all agreed: "The cook who got up at 0300 and baked the fresh bread for everybody."
General Patrick took another bite and realized what the cook had done, and said "Your're right, get him here."
So a runner went and woke up the cook, now sleeping in his cot in the afternoon, and had him report to the TOC. When he walked in, no doubt wondering what he had done wrong, there was the Division Commander who immediately pinned on the ARCOM. The orders followed about three weeks later. The citation was worded in broader terms of "exceptional meritorious servise in food preparation under field conditions, mastery of his MOS, skillful handling of field food service equipment, etc. but the bottom line was "An ARCOM for baking loaves of bread."
And it was well deserved.
http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/afmedals/blbs.htm
For years I associated the BSM with combat, never knew you could get one in a support role.
"The award recognizes acts of heroism performed in ground combat if they are of lesser degree than that required for the Silver Star. It also recognizes single acts of merit and meritorious service if the achievement or service is of a lesser degree than that deemed worthy of the Legion of Merit; but such service must have been accomplished with distinction. " Quote taken from above link.
I guess I am not the only one who has been under this assumption. Good story about the cook and the ARCOM, to me the award is more befitting of the deed. That is as long as the cook always went above and beyond and not just because of this one instance.
Sir, PM sent.I was there in that time-frame and you may remember me from the Iraqi Kids Day that happened every month? That MAJ C NEVER coordinated NOT one Iraqi Kids Day! I went out there and got those hundreds of "Iraqi" kids every month during that time-frame you guys were there.;)
Originally Posted by khy3eb
When I was in Iraq every member of my unit above the grade of E-8 got a BSM as an end of mission award. All the E4's and E5's got ARCOMs. And unlike a certain individual I have in mind right now (who was also awarded a BSM as an EOM award), it seems like this Tech Sergeant actually did her job and did it well.
But being finance myself I suppose I am a little biased.Now, you know that I know that; the majority of your folks should've gotten nothing higher than AAM?:munchin
Stay safe.
Okay, let me get this straight ..... she got a BSM for Balancing A Checkbook ?!?!?!
Albeit a pretty big checkbook, but a checkbook none the less.
I'm at a loss for words, but we should have seen this coming. We are now living in an age where, "everyone who participates gets an award".
Un-freaking believable. :rolleyes:
We are now living in an age where, "everyone who participates gets an award".
Un-freaking believable. :rolleyes:
Come on this youth sports RIGHT??! Everyone is a winner!!!
Okay, let me get this straight ..... she got a BSM for Balancing A Checkbook ?!?!?!
Albeit a pretty big checkbook, but a checkbook none the less.
I'm at a loss for words, but we should have seen this coming. We are now living in an age where, "everyone who participates gets an award".
Un-freaking believable. :rolleyes:
Started in the 70's.
We were standing in one of those 5th Group Payday Greens Inspection formations somewhere around 79-80ish. Back in the day you did something Whaazoo and got a Letter of Appreciation hacked off on by everyone under God.
They marched the scant few folks getting awards out front and one of them was a female clerk. They were reading off the awards and when it got to her she got an ARCOM for getting (IIRC) 96% of the OER's in on time over a given period.
I remember a lot of eye rolling and muttering in the formation that day.
Started in the 70's.
We were standing in one of those 5th Group Payday Greens Inspection formations somewhere around 79-80ish. Back in the day you did something Whaazoo and got a Letter of Appreciation hacked off on by everyone under God.
They marched the scant few folks getting awards out front and one of them was a female clerk. They were reading off the awards and when it got to her she got an ARCOM for getting (IIRC) 96% of the OER's in on time over a given period.
I remember a lot of eye rolling and muttering in the formation that day.
I coulda swore it was an MSM...could be wrong...it wont be the last time..:D
ETA: along those lines, I remember all the Gp extra curricular activity folks, (Soft Ball, Basketball tms) getting accolades and the mention of...something like..."oh, and you ODA's you're doing a good job too"...
There has beem much talk in the ranks of the Air Force about the awarding of medals. Those of us lower than the rank of O-6 are fairly disgusted about the whole process. Why are guys who are flying drones being awarded Air Medals? Why do I have to be a Major before I can earn an MSM? As a Captain I had a boss that understood my responsibilities were that of a Lt Col and gave me an MSM even though she got her ass chewed for it, because she knew I deserved it.
I had a SrA who was an average airman. Stayed out of trouble, but was not a bright star. A solid 3. One day he was downtown and saved a little girl from being mauled by a rotreiller. He saved her life and got 150 stiches in the process. His flight commander put him in for an AFAM for merit on that day. Our Shirt (and E-9, not a CMSgt) refused to sign off on it because our squadron commander had a policy that only enlisted with fire wall fives on their EPRs got medals. To this day, that is the story I use when talking about the failure of leadership in the AF.
During the opening days of the war in Iraq, my husband drove into Iraq with 3ID and opened Tallil AB, as a Major. Based on his actions, in which he actually had to fire his weapon at hostiles, amongst other things, he was awarded a BSM. The only one our unit got for almost 2 years. All the Lt Cols at the CAOC, who put themselves in for BSM, and were subsequently downgraded to AFCOM were absolutely livid. How could a Major earn a BSM, when they of the silver oak leaf couldn't? Of course the real leaders didn't put themselves in for anything, and took care of their troops instead, but unfortunately, there weren't many of those.
The AF's misuse of awards denegrates all the ones that are truly earned. But our leadership is too fricking blind to see it. They all want to retire with a "fruit salad" as large as a Mexican General's. Gag me with a spoon.
...along those lines, I remember all the Gp extra curricular activity folks, (Soft Ball, Basketball tms) getting accolades...
And ARCOMs for winning a post championship while ODAs returning from busting their butts on some excellent 'adventures' in LA, Africa, and SEA got a "Nice job!" and a return to their place in line on the SGMs duty roster... :rolleyes:
I remember a lot of eye rolling and muttering in the formation that day.
You should've been over in the 7th SFGs formation on Alamo Field circa 1975 when a newly assigned MSG who was (1) non-SF and (2) a rebranched RREO NCO was called out of formation to receive an ARCOM for his performance as the RREO NCO at the USMA...and COL Garwood, our Group Cdr, mistakenly congratulated him for his outstanding work as the "...OREO NCO for West Point..." :eek: We were standing there in formation about half-asleep...but everybody's eyes sure shot open when we heard that one. For his part, the MSG didn't say anything...although you could see by his facial expression he'd heard what we'd heard...but ol' COL Garwood, who looked as if he could've joined the Army as a Private under GEN Washington, just went on and everybody knew he didn't even realize that he'd misspoken. :D
And so it goes...
Richard :munchin
And ARCOMs for winning a post championship while ODAs returning from busting their butts on some excellent 'adventures' in LA, Africa, and SEA got a "Nice job!" and a return to their place in line on the SGMs duty roster... :rolleyes:
You should've been over in the 7th SFGs formation on Alamo Field circa 1975 when a newly assigned MSG who was (1) non-SF and (2) a rebranched RREO NCO was called out of formation to receive an ARCOM for his performance as the RREO NCO at the USMA...and COL Garwood, our Group Cdr, mistakenly congratulated him for his outstanding work as the "...OREO NCO for West Point..." :eek: We were standing there in formation about half-asleep...but everybody's eyes sure shot open when we heard that one. For his part, the MSG didn't say anything...although you could see by his facial expression he'd heard what we'd heard...but ol' COL Garwood, who looked as if he could've joined the Army as a Private under GEN Washington, just went on and everybody knew he didn't even realize that he'd misspoken. :D
And so it goes...
Richard :munchin
Richard, that's so damn funny on so many levels....LMAO at that one..
https://www.hrc.army.mil/TAGD/Awards%20and%20Decorations%20Statistics%20by%20Con flict
Got my eyes opened up when I ran the numbers, since the Vietnam War, 5209 BSM's awarded for Valor, 182,654 BSM's awarded for service and acheivement. These are just from the Army , I have found no numbers for the other branches.
Dozer523
03-30-2012, 14:16
And it was well deserved. I'm with CSB. Did his/her job (thankless job, totally lacking in fun job) to the best of ability and it made a contribution. You can bet if one freakin' decimal point was off it would have been a career stopper (and we'd be pointin' and laughin' and "better-you-than-me-in").
We all got ARCOMs as parting gifts. As long as you met ht/wt and didn't get an Art 15. Oh well I woulda done everything the same for the campaign ribbon. OH well in my case I got my first GCM in 15:D:D:p years
.......... OH well in my case I got my first GCM in 15:D:D:p years
21 divided by 3 = 7. Hmmmm, for some reason I only have 4 GCMs.
I don't think...............
Well, maybe........
http://www.randolph.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123294964
sf
Interesting, the above article has been removed.
But I was able to copy and past it, before it was removed.
3/22/2012 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- An NCO from the 802nd Comptroller Squadron earned the Bronze Star March 14 for her actions in Afghanistan.
Tech. Sgt. Christina Gamez, a financial analyst in the 802nd CPTS, received the Bronze Star for meritorious service from Brig. Gen. Theresa A. Carter, 502nd Air Base Wing commander, prior to a commander's call at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.
The Bronze Star is the U.S. military's fourth-highest individual decoration for bravery, heroism or meritorious service.
Gamez distinguished herself by meritorious achievement as the NCO in charge during a 365-day deployment, January 2011 to January 2012. While in Afghanistan, she accurately executed operational funds across eight remote bases, providing commanders with flexibility in support of counterinsurgency efforts. Gamez trained 68 operational fund teams, reviewed 34 projects and funded 280 joint acquisition board packages enabling critical base sustainment.
"Ask me to recognize anyone else and I can talk for days, but to brag about myself, I'm not the best," Gamez said. "I feel like I did my job, kept a very busy pace and made improvements any place I could."
"I did my best to make a positive impact on the mission, and was surrounded by countless others doing the same," she said. "Between my husband, my leadership both here and in the field, and those who served with me, I had set the bar high. I am truly grateful for their support."
As the financial reviewer of the joint facilities utilization board, Gamez validated forward operating base requirements to provide the facilities in support of Operation Enduring Freedom missions.
Gamez took the lead as program manager to draft the statement of work, initiated the joint acquisition review board package and solicited estimates for a mass notification system. Her work will provide an early warning notification system to more than 2,500 personnel at the installation and a nearby camp in the event of imminent attack.
The Reaper
03-30-2012, 19:23
We all got ARCOMs as parting gifts. As long as you met ht/wt and didn't get an Art 15. Oh well I woulda done everything the same for the campaign ribbon. OH well in my case I got my first GCM in 15:D:D:p years
I thought you meant General Court Martial=GCM till I saw Pete's post, and then I saw he had four of them.
I was thinking this must have been a really long time ago. :D
TR
Eagle5US
03-30-2012, 20:14
BSMs can, and IMHO should, be awarded for meritorious service in the Combat Theater...for those who put themselves in harm's way on a regular basis. You may not have the opportunity to earn your V device, but if you are out there running the roads, unlocking doors, and disrupting the bad guys sleep cycle - damn skippy you have earned it.
Admin, pencils, calculators, analysts, cooks, yahoos and yeehaws of all measure who tote their weapons around in the safety of the FOB for the duration of their deployment should be (again MY opinion only) CONSIDERED for the MSM route vs the BSM.
In a combat environment the BSM IS indeed available - and it should be availed to those who put themselves at risk and perform in an exemplary manner with regard to their duties.
Risk = Discriminator
Okay, let me get this straight ..... she got a BSM for Balancing A Checkbook ?!?!?!
I can't speak to the BSM, but if she can do that assign her to Congress...