Retirement Citation Examples

Logistics / Support Operations Officer

Over his 26 year career, COL Silver Crew Toyota has distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious service in a succession of positions of great importance and responsibility to the Army and the Nation, culminating as Support Operations Officer, 4th Expeditionary Sustainment Command (4 ESC). His previous positions of significant leadership included; Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics 4 ESC, Chief of Unit Mobilization Branch for the Mobilization Division of Current Operations U.S. Army Reserve Command (USARC) - Readiness Division, Executive Officer for the Special Warfare Education Group (Airborne)[SWEG(A)], Civil Supply Officer for 351st Civil Affairs Command, and Battalion Commander of 348th Transportation Battalion. As the Logistics Officer, Colonel Toyota took every senior officer position head on and transcended every role. As the Support Operations Officer, COL Toyota executed Central Command Theater sustainment requirements for Army Central Command, Combined Joint Task Force / Combined Joint Force Land Component Command-Operations Inherent Resolve (CJTF/CJFLCC-OIR) including Joint Security Area-Georgia; OIR - Iraq/Syria; Task Force Sinai-Egypt; Freedom Sentinel, Resolute Support-Afghanistan and support to Special Operations Forces. He enabled the command to execute Single Sustainment Command Mission Command from the forward deployed Theater Sustainment Command Post by taking a holistic approach to the combined joint logistics theater. He expanded various classes of supply from five days to over 30 days of supply throughout the theater, while conducting combined joint planning with CJTF-OIR on future operations to include the Mosul Offensive Operation, Mosul Dam Remediation, and Emergency Non-combatant Evacuation Operations from Iraq. As the Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics, COL Toyota provided expert analysis to the command with the implementation of a Logistics report card and G4 workshops. His actions and expertise increased subordinate units meeting Assignment Interactive Module Point and delinquent inventories by 50%, resolved significant backlog on the turn in of tactical wheeled vehicles, facilitated subordinate units receipt of over 600 back-ordered ASU uniforms and improved Central Issue Facility Installation Support Module compliance by 94% from 1,006 outstanding records to only 56. As the Chief of Unit Mobilization Branch, COL Malone had a significant impact on the mobilization branch by improving the alert/mobilization orders request process which, eliminated the number of sourced units receiving orders under 180 days to mobilization from 380 units to 0 in a span of 6 months. He developed a scope of work and requirements document for the design and programming of an automated Global Force Management and Unit Mobilization tracking application which eliminated duplication of work, significantly reduced errors and saved approximately 3,000 man hours annually. As Executive Officer for SWEG(A), COL Toyota was instrumental in developing the Directorate of Regional Studies and Education into the SWEG(A). He developed the space requirements and coordinated input for the design phase of the $55 million Regional Studies and Education building Military Construction project incorporating Training and Doctrine Command Classroom XXI enhanced learning environment and other significant IT infrastructure upgrades. He worked tirelessly with the G8 to manage the budget as well as develop and brief FY 14-18 Program Objective Memorandum submission ensuring the group was resourced to accomplish the mission. The superior effort, outstanding leadership, and personal initiative displayed by Colonel Toyota during his 26 year career reflect great credit upon him, the Regional Health Command Atlantic, the United States Army and the United States of America.

Command Sergeant Major

Legion of Merit

Over his 31 year career, SGM Rat Cat Batson has distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious service in a succession of positions of great importance and responsibility to the Army and the Nation, culminating in his selection for Brigade Command Sergeant Major. His previous positions of significant leadership included: Brigade Operations Sergeant Major; three time Battalion Command Sergeant Major; Battalion Operations Sergeant Major; Contracting Division Sergeant Major; Theater Operations Sergeant Major; Company First Sergeant; and Station Commander. As the Command Sergeant Major, he took every senior non-commissioned officer position head on and exceeded in every role. As the Brigade Operations Sergeant Major, SGM Batson advised the Brigade Commander and Command Sergeant Major (CSM) on all recruiting operations in the 3rd Recruiting Brigade, supporting over 1,700 recruiters located in eight recruiting battalions disbursed over 600,000 square miles. His interpretation of policies, directives, and regulations concerning all enlistment and assessment activities in conjunction with his mentorship of subordinate leaders utilizing personally verified tactics, techniques and procedures was instrumental to the brigade accomplishing 9,500 more contracts than the previous year and was vital to the Army recruiting mission as a whole. As Battalion Operations Sergeant Major, SGM Batson advised the Battalion Commander, CSM, and Operations Officer on Army recruiting operations. He instituted a Future Soldier Program retention standard operating procedure that reduced preventable Future Soldier losses by 20% and emphasized a new safety program that resulted in zero vehicle accidents, zero loss of equipment and zero lost time for Soldier injuries. He served flawlessly as Command Sergeant Major of 3-290th Regiment, 479th Field Artillery Brigade. He trained the trainers on individual, team, company, and battalion level Mission Essential Task List tasks based on assessments received from monthly Troop Program Unit drills. This increased Observer Coach/Trainers to over 75% of the unit strength, which assisted their partner battalion (3-395 AR) significantly with operation mission success. During three three years as Battalion Commander Sergeant Major, SGM Batson monitored Comprehensive Soldier Health by tactical employment of Master Resilience Trainers, ultimately reducing stress related incidents in Oklahoma City Recruiting Battalion by 50 percent. He was also instrumental in enforcing standards and discipline throughout the unit, having a direct impact by reducing misconduct issues by 50 percent in fiscal year 2012. SGM Batson further maintained over 60% of all Future Soldier Losses outside of the 30-day mark, saving the Army over $900,000.00 on lost training seats. SGM Batson further excelled as CSM leading the Kansas City Recruiting Battalion to achieve 108% of its Regular Army mission, 120% of the Army Reserve mission, and 129% of its retention mission in fiscal year 2010. His lead the way attitude and intense focus on the battalion's Physical Fitness Program increased the battalion Army Physical Fitness Test average by 25 points. SGM Batson's Future Soldier Retention Program enabled shipment of 94% of Army Reserve Future Soldiers to Basic Training which exceeded the Recruiting Command Standard. While serving as the Contracting Division Sergeant Major, SGM Batson expertly managed over $50 million in human resource postal contracting initiatives in Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Qatar. He assisted with a R5 contract initiative at Ali Al Sal - Logistical Support Area, Kuwait, resulting in government savings of over $440,000. The superior effort, outstanding leadership, and personal initiative displayed by Sergeant Major Batson during his 31 year career reflect great credit on him, the Regional Health Command Atlantic, the United States Army and the United States of America.

EXCEPTIONAL MERITORIOUS SERVICE AND PERFORMANCE OVER 24 YEARS WHILE SERVING AS NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER AND US ARMY SIGNALEER. SFC S HAS HELD EVERY POSITION AVAILABLE IN THE ARMY SATCOM PROFESSION DURING HIS CAREER, FROM LEADING TACTICAL ARMY TEAMS TO LEADING STRATEGIC AND JOINT OPERATIONS TEAMS. SFC S' COMMITMENT TO SERVICE HAS DIRECTLY IMPACTED ORGANIZATIONAL AND MISSION COMMAND SUCCESS ACROSS MULTIPLE THEATERS. HIS DEDICATION TO DUTY AND RELENTLESS WORK ETHIC ENABLED THE ARMY TO WIN WHILE FACILITATING JOINT AND MULTINATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS. SFC S' OUT STANDING SERVICE IS IN KEEPING WITH THE FINEST MILITARY TRADITIONS AND REFLECTS GREAT CREDIT UPON HIMSELF, THE US ARMY SIGNAL CORPS AND THE UNITED STATES ARMY.

FOR EXCEPTIONALLY MERITORIOUS SERVICE FROM OCTOBER XXXX THROUGH SEPTEMBER XXXX. STAFF SERGEANT COX SERVED WITH HONOR AND DISTINCTION IN NUMEROUS POSITIONS. HIS ACTIONS THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER RESULTED IN EXCEPTIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND WERE VITAL TO THE SUCCESS AND MISSION ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE UNITS HE SERVED WITH. SERGEANT COX EXEMPLIFIED THE ARMY VALUES BY STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE AND BY PLACING THE MISSION AND THE WELFARE OF HIS SOLDIERS BEFORE HIMSELF. AN INNOVATIVE AND RELENTLESS TROUBLESHOOTER, HIS VAST TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE GREATLY AIDED IN THE COMPANY'S SUCCESS WHILE DEPLOYED, WITH LITTLE MATERIAL SUPPORT. HIS CONDUCT AND DEDICATION OVER TWENTY YEARS OF SERVICE IS IN KEEPING WITH THE FINEST TRADITIONS OF MILITARY SERVICE AND REFLECT GREAT CREDIT UPON HIMSELF, HIS UNIT, THE FLORIDA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD AND THE UNITED STATES ARMY.

FOR EXCEPTIONALLY MERITORIOUS SERVICE FROM 5 JANUARY 1989 THROUGH 28 FEBRUARY 2019. SSG FELIX'S ACTIONS THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER RESULTED IN EXCEPTIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND WERE VITAL TO THE SUCCESS AND MISSION ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE UNITS HE SERVED WITH. SSG FELIX EXEMPLIFIED THE ARMY VALUES BY STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE AND BY PLACING THE MISSION AND THE WELFARE OF HIS SOLDIERS BEFORE HIMSELF. HIS CONDUCT AND DEDICATION OVER THIRTY YEARS OF SERVICE IS IN KEEPING WITH THE FINEST TRADITIONS OF MILITARY SERVICE AND REFLECT GREAT CREDIT UPON HIMSELF, HIS UNIT, THE CONNECTICUT ARMY NATIONAL GUARD AND THE UNITED STATES ARMY.

FOR OVER TWENTY YEARS OF ACTIVE FEDERAL MILITARY SERVICE. STAFF SERGEANT SMITH SERVED WITH DISTINCTION IN A MULTITUDE OF POSITIONS TO INCLUDE OBSERVER CONTROLLER, WAREHOUSE NCOIC, PROPERTY BOOK NCOIC, BATTALION S4 NCO, AND SUPPLY SERGEANT. STAFF SERGEANT SMITH IS A SOLDIER'S SOLDIER WHOSE SELFLESS ACTIONS SET A NOBLE EXAMPLE FOR BOTH HIS PEERS AND HIS SUBORDINATES. STAFF SERGEANT SMITH'S DILIGENT ACTIONS REFLECT GREAT CREDIT UPON HIMSELF, THE 2-327TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, THE 1ST BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM, THE 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION (AIR ASSAULT) AND THE UNITED STATES ARMY.

For exceptionally meritorious performance of duties while serving as the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Program Manager/Chief for the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Middle East District May 1980 through May 2017. Ms. Green has made numerous contributions to increase the inclusion of diversity in the workforce and cultural awareness for all employees. Her attention to detail, diligence and expertise were essential to the District's success with recruitment, cultural awareness and reach back support to the Warfighters here in Winchester and in the CENTCOM AOR. Her mentorship of junior and senior staff leaders have been a tremendous force multiplier. Ms. Green's commitment to excellence reflects great credit upon her, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, and the Department of the Army.

Ms. Teresa Strizich is recognized for exceptional civilian service from 23 April 1979 through 30 June 2016. She has served the Department of Defense in many capacities which began as a Key Punch Operator Data Transcriber for Material Management and Cryptologic Support Center Top Secret at Kelly Air Force Base to her final assignment as Budget Analyst and HQ Defense Travel Administrator for the G8 Budget Execution Branch. Ms. Strizich has spent her career emanating Army values, continuously providing outstanding customer service to countless members of the Armed Forces, both military and civilian. Ms. Strizich's achievements, dedication and exemplary performance of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of government service and reflect great credit upon herself, the Installation Management Command and the United States Army.

SFC Robles has served the U.S. Army on four distant continents in peace and in war while holding every position available from a 13B Cannon Crewman Number 1, to Gunner, Section Chief, Gunnery Sergeant, Chief of Firing Battery, S-2 NCOIC, and Battery First Sergeant. In a career that began in South Korea and ended at Fort Hood Texas and culminated in being entrusted as a Battery First Sergeant in two different units, one of which resulted in the activation of a new battery, he has been an example of leadership. His distinguished performance and dedication to duty are in the most cherished traditions of the Army and reflect credit upon him, the Field Artillery and the United States Army.

exceptionally meritorious service as Platoon Sergeant, 229th Military Intelligence Battalion, Defense Language Institute and Foreign Language Center, Presidio of Monterey, California. Sergeant First Class XXXXXXX served with distinction in positions of ever greater responsibility in locations throughout the world contributing to both national security and the development of the next generation of Soldiers. His distinguished performance and dedication to duty represents outstanding accomplishments in the most cherished traditions of the Army and reflect the utmost credit upon him, the Defense Language Institute and Foreign Language Center, and the United States Army.

FOR EXCEPTIONALLY MERITORIOUS SERVICE FROM 2 OCTOBER 1975 THROUGH 30 APRIL 2010. SSG SMITH'S ACTIONS THROUGHOUT HER CAREER RESULTED IN EXCEPTIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND WERE VITAL TO THE SUCCESS AND MISSION ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE UNITS SHE SERVED WITH. SSG SMITH EXEMPLIFIED THE ARMY VALUES BY STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE AND BY PLACING THE MISSION AND THE WELFARE OF HER SOLDIERS BEFORE HERSELF. HER CONDUCT AND DEDICATION OVER TWENTY FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE IS IN KEEPING WITH THE FINEST TRADITIONS OF MILITARY SERVICE AND REFLECT GREAT CREDIT UPON HERSELF, HER UNIT, THE FLORIDA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD, AND THE UNITED STATES ARMY.

FOR EXCEPTIONALLY MERITORIOUS SERVICE WHILE SERVING IN VARIOUS POSITIONS OF INCREASING RESPONSIBILITY, CULMINATING AS STATION COMMANDER FOR THE XXXX XXXXX RECRUITING STATION. YOUR EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP, EXPERTISE, AND PROFESSIONALISM IS OF THE HIGHEST CALIBER AND DISTINCTION, AND THUS, IT IS WITH GREAT HONOR THAT WE RECOGNIZE SFC JOHNSON'S SERVICE TO HIS COUNTRY OVER THE PAST 22 YEARS. YOUR SELFLESS SACRIFICE AND DEDICATION TO MISSION ACCOMPLISHMENT ARE IN KEEPING WITH THE FINEST TRADITIONS OF THE MILITARY, AND REFLECTS GREAT CREDIT UPON YOU, THE UNITED STATES ARMY RECRUITING COMMAND AND THE UNITED STATES ARMY.

For over 16 years of meritorious service to the United States Army and the Georgia Army National Guard. Throughout his military career, Staff Sergeant Patton has served with honor and distinction in numerous positions, from those associated with his primary MOS as a Avaition Maintenance Technician/Crew Chief, to his career as a Military Police Team Leader, Southern Command Drug Enforcement Task Force. His unwavering dedication to duty and unparalleled professionalism have consistently earned the respect of subordinates, peers, and superiors alike. An innovative and relentless troubleshooter, his vast technical knowledge greatly aided in the company's success while deployed, with little material support, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 05. His experience, gained from serving on multiple deployments around the Globe proved invaluable as he mentored junior soldiers and platoon leadership on a wide spectrum of theater and cultural topics, increasing their readiness for deployment and ultimately, unit effectiveness. His long and illustrious career has been marked by humility and service and reflects great credit upon himself, the Georgia Army National Guard, and the United States Army.

FOR EXCEPTIONALLY MERITORIOUS SERVICE WHILE ASSIGNED TO THE 1ST LOGISTICS SUPPORT BATTALION, 413TH REGIMENT AS THE BATTALION EXECUTIVE OFFICER. HER LOYALTY, PROFESSIONALISM AND OUTSTANDING CARE FOR SOLDIERS WERE PARAMOUNT TO OVERALL MISSION ACCOMPLISHMENT. MAJ DOE WAS THE ONE CONSTANT THROUGH SEVEN CHANGES OF COMMAND, THREE BATTALION REORGANIZATIONS AND MISSION CHANGES. SHE ENSURED THAT THE BATTALION WAS CONSISTENTLY ONE OF THE BEST IN THE BRIGADE. HER ACTIONS REFLECT GREAT CREDIT UPON HERSELF, THE 80TH TRAINING COMMAND AND THE UNITED STATES ARMY.

FOR EXCEPTIONAL MERITORIOUS SERVICE WHILE SERVING AS PLATOON SERGEANT, 556TH SIGNAL COMPANY, 2ND BATTALION, 11TH FIELD ARTILLERY REGIMENT. SFC HICKS' COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE AND PROFESSIONALISM CONTRIBUTED TREMENDOUSLY TO THE SUCCESSFUL ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE UNIT'S MISSION. SFC HICKS' ACTIONS REFLECT DISTINCT CREDIT UPON HIM, THE 2ND BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM, THE 25TH INFANTRY DIVISION AND THE UNITED STATES ARMY.

FOR EXCEPTIONALLY MERITORIOUS SERVICE AND PERFORMANCE WHILE SERVING IN A VARIETY OF POSITIONS, CULMINATING AS THE ASSISTANT Sx NCO FOR THE "xxxxxxxx" BATTALION. STAFF SERGEANT xxxxxx HAS CONTINUOUSLY DEMONSTRATED EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE, PROFESSIONALISM, TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, AND OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE THROUGHOUT HIS TWENTY YEAR CAREER. HIS STEADFAST INTEGRITY, MATURITY, AND SOUND JUDGEMENT HAVE EARNED HIM THE RESPECT AND LOYALTY OF THOSE WITH WHOM HE SERVED. UPON HIS RETIREMENT, STAFF SERGEANT xxxxxx IS RECOGNIZED FOR HIS EXEMPLARY SERVICE TO THE NATION, WHICH IS KEEPING WITH THE FINEST TRADITIONS OF THE xxTH BATTALION, xxTH INFANTRY REGIMENT, THE xTH INFANTRY DIVISION, AND THE UNITED STATES ARMY.

Exceptionally Meritorious Service while serving in leadership positions spanning over twenty-one years, culminating as the G4 Senior Maintenance Management NCO with the 377th Theatre Support Command. Sergeant First Class Wilkins has continuously demonstrated dedication, exceptional service, professionalism, technical expertise and outstanding performance throughout his career. His steadfast integrity, sound judgment and consummate professionalism earned him the highest level of trust, loyalty and dedication from those who have worked with and for him. Upon retirement Sergeant First Class Wilkins is recognized for distinguished performance of duty that represents exemplary service in the finest traditions for the United States Army.

For exceptional meritorious service from 23 May 1980 to 30 August 2006 culminating as Director, Plans, Training, Mobilization, and Security, Camp Roberts, CA. Throughout his 26 years of service, Lieutenant Colonel Smith distinguished himself by exceptional duty performance in positions of increasing responsibility. During his career, in peace and in combat, Lieutenant Colonel Smith, by extraordinary leadership, integrity, and skill improved every unit to which he belonged and put soldiers first. Upon retirement, Lieutenant Colonel Smith is recognized for distinguished performance of duty that reflects great credit upon himself, and the United States Army.

For exceptional meritorious service from 21 April 1998 to 30 August 2003 culminating with the Second United States Army as a Senior Enlisted Advisor, Ordnance Team, Readiness Group Redstone, Hunstsville, Alabama. Throughout his twenty four years of service, Master Sergeant Carter has distinguished himself by exceptional duty performance in positions of importance and responsibility. During his career, Master Sergeant Carter demonstrated extraordinary leadership, technical, and training skills thereby enhancing the readiness of numerous units in the total army. His career has been marked by true professionalism and dedication and reflects great credit upon himself, the Readiness Group Redstone, and the United States Army.

For exceptional meritorious service from 11 February 2008 to 30 April 2010 culminating with his assignment to the 199th Regional Training Institute, as acting First Sergeant, Warrior Leadership Course, 199th Regiment, Leesville, Louisiana. SFC John Hancock's exemplary performance throughout his 25 year career of service showed great pride in his duties ranging from aministrative clerk to acting First Sergeant. SFC Hancock ensured that all Soldiers in his charge were well versed in their individual duties and provided meaningful and productive mentorship to each of them. His career is a sterling example of dedication and professionalism and reflects great credit upon himself, the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command and the United States Army.

For exceptional meritorious service from 14 March 1995 to 30 January 2009 culminating with his service to the 95th Civil Affairs Brigade, as Team Chief of the Southern Province Reconstruction section, headquartered at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Throughout his 29 years of service, Master Sergeant Bond has distinguished himself by exceptional duty performance in positions of escalating importance and responsibility. During his career, Master Sergeant Bond, by extra ordinary leadership, integrity and technical skills enhanced the readiness of numerous units throughout the total army, at home and deployed. His career has been marked by true professionalism and reflects great credit upon himself, the 95th Civil Affairs Brigade and the United States Army.

Chief Warrant Officer Three (CW3) Name has distinguished himself through exceptional performance of duty and dedicated service culminating with his retirement of over 21 years of service in the United States Army. Throughout his career, CW3 LNAME has constantly displayed the traits of Army Strong leadership; conduct that exceeded any and all performance standards, a tireless and selfless dedication to duty, and sound professional judgment. As a multi-functional logistician, he provided invaluable technical and tactical support to the War-fighter wherever he has been assigned. As a combat tested Soldier he has accomplished every mission placed before him in an exemplary manner from his garrison units through Operation OIF/OEF, to the continuing fight on the Global War on Terrorism in a superb manner. While assigned to the following units 1916th Support Squadron, Fort Irwin CA, as the Maintenance officer, Maintenance Troop 11th ACR, Fort Irwin CA as the Unit Maintenance Officer, 1/11th ACR Squadron Maintenance Officer, HQDA G4 Pentagon with duty in and CASCOM, ESD CW3 LNAME exemplified himself in each and every command. Every unit commander he worked for stated that he was among the very best with every command echoing the need for him to be promoted ahead of his peers. It was well known that any project that FNAME worked on quickly earned a stamp of excellence. He held many different duties through out his career which include; Support Squadron Maintenance Officer, Unit Maintenance Officer, Squadron Maintenance Officer, HQDA G4 LNO with duty servicing the Pacific and as a Global Combat System Support - Army (GCSS-Army)Capability Developer.

Among many of his achievements some of the noted include the following:

CW3 LNAME's tireless efforts and dedication to the program paved the way for GCSS-Army fieldings, leaving a legacy that will impact the Army for the next 30 years. The success achieved in these events are directly attributable to CW3 LNAME's professionalism. CW3 LNAME's professionalism, knowledge and guidance has helped successfully field GCSS-Army to the War-fighter. CW3 LNAME's 21 years of service are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and has provided the United States Army with an extreme wealth of knowledge.

For over 30 years of meritorious service to the United States Army and the Georgia Army National Guard. Throughout his military career, Staff Sergeant Smith has served with honor and distinction in numerous positions, from those associated with his primary MOS as a Maintenance Technician, to his career as a Military Police Team Leader. His unwavering dedication to duty and unparalleled professionalism have consistently earned the respect of subordinates, peers, and superiors alike. An innovative and relentless troubleshooter, his vast technical knowledge greatly aided in the company's success while deployed, with little material support, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 07. His experience, gained from serving on 3 combat deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom proved invaluable as he mentored junior soldiers and platoon leadership on a wide spectrum of theater and cultural topics, increasing their readiness for deployment and ultimately, unit effectiveness. His long and illustrious career has been marked by humility and service and reflects great credit upon himself, the Georgia Army National Guard, and the United States Army.

1-18. Period of award
a. For meritorious service awards, the cited period is limited to the period of service during which the individual served under the recommending command, except in the case of retirement awards. (See para 1-22.) Meritorious service is characterized by distinguished service and performance above that normally expected, over a sustained period. (AR 600-8-22, Military Awards, Para 1-18)

1-22. Recognition upon retirement
a. Period of service. Each individual approaching retirement may be considered for an appropriate decoration based on his or her grade, years of service, degree of responsibility, and manner of performance.

b. Service awards. Meritorious service awards may be awarded, upon retirement, which may include periods of service longer than that served in the recommending command. It is recommended that such periods be limited to the last 10 years of service. This is not to imply that an extended period of service should be considered for every individual who retires. An extended period should only be considered in those cases where the length or nature of the individual's terminal assignment would not qualify him or her for an appropriate award. It is neither necessary nor desirable to consider an extended period of service when the length and character of service of retirees in their terminal assignments would qualify them for an appropriate award. When writing the citation, it is not necessary to indicate the time period again; it is only pertinent to mention the total number of years of service, for example, over 22 years or 30 years of service.

c. Submissions. Award recommendations submitted for meritorious service based upon retirement will be submitted so that they may be processed to conclusion prior to the requested presentation date. In determining the presentation date, the recommender must take into account the Soldier's requested retirement date, number of days of any transition leave, and authorized travel/transition processing time. Recommendations for awards being submitted to HQ, USA HRC for final action will be initiated sufficiently in advance to arrive not less than 90 days before the desired presentation date. (AR 600-8-22, Military Awards, Para 1-22)