I can find nothing specific with regard to a PT Failure or Overweight disqualifying a Soldier for receiving the Good Conduct Medal. The Commander has a lot of latitude in this situation and the commander could find that this in and of itself is not grounds to revoke the award. However the Commander could also find that 2.5 years of PT failure and Overweight do not warrant the award. If the first line leader believes the Soldier should not receive the award, I would recommend they counsel the Soldier and recommend the Soldier not be presented the award. From there it is up to the chain of command.
On a separate note, if the Soldier was on the overweight program and a PT failure for 2.5 years there is another problem. IAW with AR 350-1 and AR 600-9 the Soldier should most likely have been separated from service. If the Soldier is barred or will not be retained in service they cannot receive the Good Conduct Medal.
I have provided a few key points from AR 600-8-22 for your review:
Para 4-1: The Army Good Conduct Medal (AGCM) was established by Executive Order 8809, 28 June 1941 and was amended by Executive Order 9323, 1943 and by Executive Order 10444, 10 April 1953. It is awarded for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity in active Federal military service. It is awarded on a selective basis to each Soldier who distinguishes himself or herself from among his or her fellow Soldiers by their exemplary conduct, efficiency, and fidelity throughout a specified period of continuous enlisted active Federal military service, as outlined in this chapter. There is no right or entitlement to the medal until the immediate commander has approved the award and the award has been announced in permanent orders. See glossary for definition of “active Federal military service.”
Para 4-4: The immediate unit commander’s decision to award the AGCM will be based on his or her personal knowledge and of the individual’s official records for periods of service under previous commanders during the period for which the award is to be made. The lack of official disqualifying comment by such previous commanders qualifies the use of such period toward the award by current commander
Para 4-6: Throughout a qualifying period, each enlisted Soldier must meet all of the following criteria for an award:
a. The immediate commander evaluates the Soldier’s character as above reproach.
b. The record of service indicates that the Soldier has—
(1) Willingly complied with the demands of the military environment.
(2) Been loyal and obedient to their superiors.
(3) Faithfully supported the goals of their organization and the Army.
(4) Conducted themselves in such an exemplary manner as to distinguish them from their fellow Soldiers.
c. While any record of non-judicial punishment could be in conflict with recognizing the Soldier’s service as exemplary, such record should not be viewed as automatically disqualifying. The commander analyzes the record, giving consideration to the nature of the infraction, the circumstances under which it occurred and when. Conviction by court-martial terminates a period of qualifying service; a new period begins following the completion of sentence imposed by court-martial.
d. In terms of job performance, the Soldier’s efficiency must be evaluated and must meet all requirements and expectations for that Soldier’s grade, MOS, and experience.
e. Individuals whose retention is not warranted under standards prescribed in AR 380–67, or for whom a bar to reenlistment has been approved under the provisions of AR 601–280, chapter 8 (specifically for the reasons enumerated in AR 601–280, paras 8–4a, b, and d), are not eligible for award of the AGCM.
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