Veteran Awards

[B4y 4RE4 N4Tiv3]

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The big question is I dont know where to insert my awards would it go on my personal statement or in my application the part that states "why is this experience meaningful to you". Also looking for a good way to write it without sounding like a d****e bag I like to write my accomplishments in a way to make it seem attainable to others.

 

[xffan624]

The big question is I dont know where to insert my awards would it go on my personal statement or in my application the part that states "why is this experience meaningful to you". Also looking for a good way to write it without sounding like a d****e bag I like to write my accomplishments in a way to make it seem attainable to others.

Need more info to properly advise. What kind of awards are we talking about here?

 

[Greg K]

I put them as an experience under 'Honors, Awards, etc.' with the award name month and year, position, and location. For the experience date I just used the last one as this section cannot be repeated events, for the contact used the person who wrote my LoR in relation to the military. Initially I had them at the end of experiences related to them, like the last sentence being 'For this work I was awarded.....' but eventually figured I would tie them into one experience, the category for which I had yet to fill ('Honors, Awards, etc.'). Folks at AMCAS said the Work/Activities section was kind of free style so their guidance was minimal.

 

[Dr. Jan Itor]

Like @Greg K, I put my military commendations in the Honors/Awards section along with my college awards. I just notated the dates for each award and the institution who awarded it.

I didn't use this as one of my most meaningful experiences, but I wouldn't worry about sounding like a d-bag. Just explain why the award was important to you and remember that it's an application. A little bragging is expected. 😉

 

[B4y 4RE4 N4Tiv3]

Need more info to properly advise. What kind of awards are we talking about here?

like army commendation medals/deployment awards/ and so on

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

To piggyback on this, are we supposed to list all our awards (e.g., GWOT, good conduct, marksmanship) or just merit awards (e.g., NAMs)? I guess a better way to phrase it would be what is the lowest level award you would include?

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

When I filled it out (and applied this to other ECs) I thought, what potential questions Will an interviewer ask based on this description.

So what's your answer for a GWOT/gcm/other awards. If you have a decent answer then put it on.

That's a good way to look at it. I just wasn't sure if they'd be curious why I didn't have basic awards on there if everyone else did (i.e., why doesn't this guy have a gcm, when I actually do). But of course, the vast majority of interviewers/adcoms probably don't know what the standard gimme awards are anyway.

 

[xffan624]

like army commendation medals/deployment awards/ and so on

In the context of an assignment or deployment, you can mention under that assignment. The gimme ones, I wouldn't bother, but if you feel the need to pad your resume you could group them in one section under awards. No interviewer is going to ask why you didn't put your GCM on there even if they actually knew what it was.

 

[Tabiyou]

The big question is I dont know where to insert my awards would it go on my personal statement or in my application the part that states "why is this experience meaningful to you". Also looking for a good way to write it without sounding like a d****e bag I like to write my accomplishments in a way to make it seem attainable to others.

It didn't occur to talk about my awards during my application. I wrote about my billets and responsibilities instead. Perhaps you could talk about how you earned CAR/NAM/MUC/etc while fulfilling X job description? Also, what is the point of talking about marksmanship badges unless it is tied into a military traits desired of physicians?

Edit: Food for thought - perhaps you could talk about badges, awards, and billets if you organize around a central theme (Good conduct medal and expert pistol/rifle for an infantry squad leader at SOI/Fleet)

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

It didn't occur to talk about my awards during my application. I wrote about my billets and responsibilities instead. Perhaps you could talk about how you earned CAR/NAM/MUC/etc while fulfilling X job description? Also, what is the point of talking about marksmanship badges unless it is tied into a military traits desired of physicians?

Edit: Food for thought - perhaps you could talk about badges, awards, and billets if you organize around a central theme (Good conduct medal and expert pistol/rifle for an infantry squad leader at SOI/Fleet)

The only reason I thought about mentioning my marksmanship medals is it could be a way to talk about shooting competitively in the Navy. Just something interesting to talk about.

I wasn't planning on mentioning GCM/GWOT/gimme ribbons because everyone gets them. I was going to list my NAM, but I don't think that's weird.

 

[KaBoom'd]

I only put the big ones. I didn't reference awards just for showing up overseas or not getting in trouble.

I like the answer @HopefulPilot gave about having an answer that includes a story for an interviewer.