Giving credit only where credit’s due Published May 19, 2006 By Chief Master Sgt. Carol Johnson 60th AMW interim command chief TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Have you ever wondered why some personnel get decorations and some don’t? Does there seem to be no set standard? If for no other reason I think it’s important for us to take a good hard look at our military decorations program. The 60th Air Mobility Wing processed more than 1,196 decorations this past year [May 2005 to May 2006]. Do you think this is too many or too little? Are you submitting decorations in an effort to “do something for your people?” While there is no set number of decorations we should be processing. The correct answer should be, we’re submitting personnel for this prestigious honor because of recognized meritorious service, outstanding achievement or an act of heroism that clearly place the individual above his or her peers. Many of you are probably very familiar with this and others not so familiar. So let me give you a hand! I’ve taken the liberty of providing you a quick refresher on the subject. The instruction [AFI 36-2803] states: -- Base recommendations on specific projects, plans, programs or actions, which are or will be beneficial to the Air Force -- Superior duty performance, attainment of honors based solely on academic achievement or receipt of other forms of recognition [Airman of the Quarter/Year, Superior Performance by the Inspector General do not in themselves justify a recommendation for a military decoration] -- No individual is automatically entitled to an award upon completion of an operational temporary-duty assignment or departure for an assignment -- Although individuals with less than the highest performance ratings or with quality force indicators may be considered to have served honorably, it is often inconsistent with the intent of the awards program -- In most instances, decorations are not awarded to members who are not maintaining standards. Commanders must be judicious in examining the “whole person concept” when submitting an individual for a decoration A chief recently told me while visiting the First Term Airman Center he talked to the students about how decorations are awarded. One student had been told, “if they kept their nose clean it was automatic!” When people reach three years on station this doesn’t automatically entitle them to a decoration! We need all of you involved in the decoration process to ensure we’re not degrading a long-standing program. Are you following the rules or feeling pressured to submit personnel less than deserving? We must make decorations count for the right people and the right reasons. Are you giving credit only where credit is due? If not, I ask, what message are you sending?