The requirements for submitting someone for a medal, whether it's an Achievement Medal or a Bronze Star, are largely the same but there are some differences. All recommendations for medals require filling out the DA Form 638 and for some medals, like the Achievement Medal and the Commendation Medal, that's all that's required. But for the more significant decorations, like the Commendation Medal with V Device, Bronze Star, etc, more support is required. To avoid confusion, these instructions will address only the AAM, the ARCOM, and the MSM, because the procedures for these are the same.
Block 1. Fill in the office information of the next office above the recommender in the Chain of Command. This is the office with approval authority.
Block 2. Enter the recommender's office information.
Blocks 3-7. Self Explanatory
Block 8. Fill in the individual's previous achievement awards. The Army Service Ribbon (ASR), Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM), Kuwait Liberation Medal (KULIBM), Southwest Asia Service Medal (SWASM) are service medals and should not be listed.
Block 9. Enter the Service and Component of the person being recommended. Use the following:
|
For the Component: |
Block 10. Enter the award being recommended to include number of award/oak leaf cluster
Block 11-19. Self Explanatory
Block 20. For the AAM, ARCOM, or MSM, using the space provided in the DA Form 638, fill in the Soldier's achievements or meritorous service using bullet format.
Block 21. For an AAM, ARCOM, or MSM, enter the citation.
Block 22. Staff Section Admin Clerk should sign and date verifying individual is eligible for the recommended award.
Block 23-25. Fill in intermediate commanders' as appropriate.
Block 26.
a. ORDERS ISSUING AUTHORITY
b. CDR, MNC-I APO AE 09999
e. JOHN Q. PUBLIC
f. COL
g. COMMANDING
Block 27.
a. HQ, MNC-I APO AE 09999
Block 28.
a. JOSEPH M. BLOW
b. MSG
c. Chief, CJ1 Personnel Actions
Block 29-30. Leave blank
Block 31.
1-SOLDIER
1-UNIT
1-FILE
1-OMPF
FRONT of DA Form 638, Recommendation For Award (AAM, ARCOM, and MSM)
