Horatio Gates Gold & Superior Lifetime Achievement Award

For Significant Achievement and Service over an extended period of time

HISTORY: Horatio Gates was the first Adjutant General of the Army. A Gold Medal was presented to Major General Horatio Gates by Congressional resolution to commemorate his victories over the British in the Battles of Bennington, Fort Stanwix and Saratoga. These three key battles prevented the British from occupying the strategic Hudson Valley and isolating New England from the other colonies. A replica of the original Gold Medal honors Gates’ service and leadership.

PURPOSE: To recognize the extraordinary achievements and service of individuals who promote the objectives and purposes of the Adjutant General’s Corps Regimental Association (AGCRA) and the Adjutant General’s Corps (AGC) and other Human Resources (HR) professional as set forth in the Constitution and Bylaws of the Association.

PERSONS ELIGIBLE: Any person who is a member in good standing of the Association and who is a member of the Adjutant General’s Corps or other Human Resources professional, or affiliated with the Adjutant General’s Corps, when the recommendation is submitted. Personnel may not receive this award more than twice.  The second award of the Horatio Gates Gold Award is now called the Superior Lifetime Achievement Award.

CRITERIA: Major General Horatio Gates Gold Medal is awarded for extraordinary achievement(s) and distinguished service over an extended period of time (minimum of 24 months) to the Adjutant General’s Corps Regimental Association and the Adjutant General’s Corps or Human Resources for: serving as a chapter officer, chapter committee member; introducing new methods, improved techniques and innovations to increase the efficiency of the United States Army while promoting high standards of proficiency; providing a forum for the mutual exchange and discussion of ideas and information of interest; promoting esprit-de-corps, cooperation and tradition; promoting leadership and enhancing military preparedness to meet the nation’s defense requirements; making improvements in the fields of personnel, administration, and human resources management, as well as postal operations, band, public affairs, and recruiting; and for researching, recording and perpetuating an understanding of the history of the Adjutant General’s Corps and the Association. The Major General Horatio Gates Gold Medal is the highest award authorized by the Adjutant General’s Corps Regimental Association.  The award nominee must be an AGCRA member during the inclusive dates of the award period.  There can be no overlap for Gates Gold Medal recommendations.

COST: $40.00, borne by the recommending authority.

RECOMMENDING PROCEDURES: Any person, having firsthand knowledge of an individual’s achievement and/or service which meets the above criteria, can recommend that individual for this award. Recommendations, in memorandum format, will be forwarded to the Adjutant General’s Corps Regimental Association, ATTN: VP for Awards, PO Box 10026, Fort Jackson, SC 29207-0026 or by email (preferred method), not later than 30 days prior to the presentation date. Memorandum must contain contributions to AGCRA and the Army as well as desired presentation date and PCS or retirement information. Recommendation must be endorsed by the local AGCRA Chapter President or senior Adjutant General Officer. If no Adjutant General Officer is available, a senior Human Resources professional will endorse the recommendation. Once the award has been voted, payment may be made by check (payable to the AG Corps Regimental Association) or credit card. Credit card transaction can only be processed by the VP for Awards.

APPROVAL PROCESS: The Executive Council will review award recommendations and base their recommendations on the merits of the achievement and service. For approval of the recommendation, a simple majority of the members of the Executive Council present and voting must concur. Certificates for approved recommendations will be provided to the President of the Association for authenticating signature. When signed, the certificate and medal will be mailed to the recommending authority expeditiously. If mailing has to be expedited, recommending authority will cover the costs.  All Superior Lifetime Achievement Award, Gates Gold Medal or Gates Bronze Medal nominations disapproved by the AGCRA Executive Council will be considered for approval of the AGCRA Achievement Medal by the AGCRA President.  Reminder – All AGCRA Chapter Presidents have AGCRA Achievement Medal approval authority.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF AWARDS: Award recipients will be published in “1775″.

PRESENTATION OF AWARDS: Presentation of medals and certificates will be made with an appropriate air of formality and at fitting ceremonies such as retirement ceremonies, anniversary celebrations of the Adjutant General’s Corps, or Adjutant General’s Corps Regimental Association Chapter activations or anniversaries.

RECORDING OF AWARDS: All awards will be recorded by entering the recipient’s name, rank and unit in a database maintained by the Awards Custodian. This database will be reviewed as part of the approval process.

REVOCATION OF AWARDS: In the unlikely event that information becomes known that a fraudulent award has been made, or dishonorable conduct is substantiated, the Executive Council can revoke this award, annotate the database, and notify the individual of the action.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 1 March 2012