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So there are multiple sides on the award debate, and most of them have merit - it's a complex grievance. I will offer my very simple philosophy.
1) Awards ABSOLUTELY SHOULD NOT be given/adjust stratified by rank - period, end of story.
2) Awards should be given for 1/x
1) Awards ABSOLUTELY SHOULD NOT be given/adjust stratified by rank - period, end of story.
2) Awards should be given for 1/x
2/x performance that exceeds reasonable expectations for grade and experience - not for doing your job.
What that means is it should be as easy (or hard, in this case) for a LCpl to get an MSM as a LtCol, because the depth and scope of the recognized accomplishment should be
What that means is it should be as easy (or hard, in this case) for a LCpl to get an MSM as a LtCol, because the depth and scope of the recognized accomplishment should be
3/x relative to the above-mentioned expectations. Officers (especially FGO), senior SNCOs, etc, shouldn't get higher awards because their jobs have a great scope of responsibility - that's already recognized in their higher pay and greater privileges.
Furthermore, a BN CO or
Furthermore, a BN CO or
4/x company 1stSgt should NOT get an MSM (going with that example) just because they successfully completed their tour - we EXPECT that of them. They should get it only if they truly broke the norm and went outside the box. And the SAME standard applies to a LCpl.
Majors and
Majors and
5/x corporals who do identical things - the major should NOT get a higher award than the corporal just because they are a major. The inverse is actually true - it should be much easier for the corporal to get it for [given action], because they expectation for the major is
6/x already higher - we EXPECT him to do serious-ass shit. He/she shouldn't get an award for meeting the minimum standard of his/her grade which is ALREADY rewarded with a badass paycheck and tons of privileges.
Conversely, a LtCol or SgtMaj shouldn't be ashamed of, say, a NAM
Conversely, a LtCol or SgtMaj shouldn't be ashamed of, say, a NAM
7/x or NCM - if given according to the standard I describe above, it should mean as MUCH to them for their relative performance it would to, say, a sergeant.
Just my two cents FWIW.
Just my two cents FWIW.
