Air Reserve Personnel Center

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Air Reserve Personnel Center
I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l
l e n c e
vPC-GR Federal Awards Decorations
March 2008 Release
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Objectives

• This presentation will provide an overview of the
  enhanced vPC-GR Federal Awards and Decorations
  capability and will highlight some of the new
  features available to you. At the end of this
  tutorial you will be able to
• Submit a nomination for an award or decoration,
  correct federal awards decorations, request a
  copy of your decorations, view current federal
  awards decorations listing and inquire about
  the status of a submitted award or decoration,
  all within Dashboard
• Use Dashboard to check on the status of, to
  coordinate on and to make changes to a nomination
• (Commanders only) Recommend upgrade or downgrade
  of an award or decoration, make a concurrence on
  or decide the approval of an award or decoration,
  as well as revoke a decoration and deny a medal,
  all within Dashboard

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Overview

• Awards and Decorations Information
• Coordinator Information
• Nomination Process
• Unit/Immediate Coordination Process
• Unit/Immediate CC Coordination Process
• Group/Wing/Equivalent CC Coordination Process
• Tracking
• Other Awards and Decorations and Actions that can
  be taken
• Individual Member Requests
• Contact Information

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Awards Decorations Information

• Commanders prerogative to implement a
  coordination policy on how and who will be
  included in the coordination chain (e.g. flight
  commanders first sergeant must review
  nominations before forwarding them to
  Unit/Immediate CC, Group CC, Wing CC or
  equivalent, etc.)
• All ARC nominations go to the Wing Commander or
  equivalent for approval Exception IAW AFI
  36-2803, table 1.1. Note Group CC or equivalent
  can approve Air Force Achievement Medal (AFAM)
• Once the nominator has received the approved
  certificate from TFSC-Denver, it will need to be
  signed by the approving authority.

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Coordinator Information

• Unit/Immediate, Group, Wing Commanders or
  Equivalent are allowed to perform downgrade and
  upgrade actions on the Air Force Achievement
  Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and the
  Meritorious Service Medal. Downgrade and upgrade
  actions cannot be completed on the Aerial
  Achievement Medal.
• All coordinators are able to update the
  condition, award period, start and end date, duty
  title, unit, narrative, font size and signature
  block fields on the nomination.

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More Coordinator Information

• Besides commander levels, decorations can be
  reviewed by as many coordinators as necessary by
  selecting an organization role or an individual
  in the vPC-GR Dashboard Search engine
• Coordinators must provide comments in the
  Remarks field if Non-Concur or Request
  Corrections box is checked.
• If Request Corrections is selected, the other
  checkboxes and the Next Coordination fields
  will be disabled and the applications will be
  returned to the nominator.

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Nomination Process

• Meritorious Service MedalAF Commendation
  MedalAF Achievement MedalAerial Achievement
  Medal
• NOTE This online application will not be used
  in the nomination of decorations for current
  contingency operations Duty Performed in support
  of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation
  Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Those decorations will be
  processed through CENTAF.

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Air Force Portal
vPC-GR can be accessed via the Air Force
Portal. Select Career from the Life and Career
drop-down menu.
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vPC-GR Online
Connect to vPC-GR by clicking the vPC-GR icon
located on the left side of your screen.
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vPC-GR Landing Page
Select the Dashboard link to begin the nomination
process. Note Some screens may appear
differently when the enhancement is deployed.
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Component Selection
First time entry, member will be prompted to
select a Service Component default view (Air
National Guard or Air Force Reserve Command).
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Dashboard Landing Page
When you enter Dashboard you will land on the
Overview tab, the default starting page for
Dashboard, click on the Action Requests tab to
view Awards Decorations applications
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Action Requests Page
Select the Awards and Decorations module
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Awards and Decoration Information
Links to guidance on Federal Awards and
Decorations will be available on this screen
This screen gives you an illustrated menu of the
Awards and Decoration processes that can be
accomplished.
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Nomination Blank
Click the Instructions link for detailed
information on how to perform a task and
clarification on what a field requires such as
the example below.
Use the Select button to begin the nomination
process.
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Select Nominee
NOTE If more than one selectee appears,
highlight the correct member before clicking the
Select button
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Filling Upper Section
TSgt Scott C Bartkowiak
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The Display button will display previous awards
and the dates from MilPDS for the member being
nominated.
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Decoration Selection
Drop-down menus populate portions of the form.
Highlight decoration and select.
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Filling Upper Section
Opening and closing statements for the award will
automatically be populated.
Type the Duty Title, and Unit to populate fields.
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Filling in Lower Section
Justification is an optional field on this
nomination form, however your local policy may
require an entry for certain decorations.
Narrative must always be supplied.
Award can be reviewed by clicking the Preview
Certificate button.
Supporting documents and required forms in IAW
AFI 36-2803, Chapter 3, Para 3.2. will be
attached by highlighting a File line and
clicking the Add button. The DECOR6 RIP is not
required for the on-line award nomination process.
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Certificate Preview
Certificate can be reviewed by clicking the
Preview Certificate button.
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Attachments
File should now appear in the attachments table.
More supporting documents may be attached by
repeating attach file steps.
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Select Next Coordination
NOTE When forwarding the decoration through
coordination, be aware of policy and follow
proper chain-of-command procedures.
Select the coordinating official based on Role
from the drop-down menu or use the Search
function to find the next coordinator if not
listed. Nomination may now be Submitted or
Saved. Saved nominations will be given a control
number to retrieve and complete the process later.
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Submit the Nomination
Click Yes for a copy of nomination and note
request number to track or make changes to
nomination.
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Awards and Decoration Application
Print, save or send this file as a record copy.
Saved nominations may be retrieved by their
request numbers at a later time.
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Status Change to Coordination
Once nomination is complete, the application
status will change to Coordination. The initial
nomination is now pending for the next
coordinator.
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Coordination Status
The nominator can check the status by logging in
and checking the Coordination Actions section
under the Worklist tab.
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Nomination Correction Options
All coordinators have the option to make
corrections by clicking the Make corrections
link. Please be aware that there are
stipulations to this option and read carefully.
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Unit/Immediate Coordination Process
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Immediate Coordination Review
Now Unit/Immediate (supervisor, First Sergeant,
Commander Exec) members may participate in the
coordination process and will be able to review
the nomination from the Worklist tab.
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Viewing Coordination Actions
Click on the Open Coordination link to begin.
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Unit/Immediate Coordination Top
At the top of the Coordination form you will be
able to review the application, any supporting
documents that have been attached and a preview
of the certificate. The first coordinator will
find the Prior Coordination field is empty.
Following coordinators after that the fields will
be populated and previous coordination will be
viewable.
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Correction Options
At the Unit/Immediate level your options are
concur, non-concur, request corrections, make
corrections yourself and you may also add
attachments. Enter your identifying information
in the field provided and make any applicable
remarks.
If the Request Corrections box is selected, add
recommended changes in the Remarks field and
click Submit. The application will be returned
to the nominator who will make the corrections
before it flows through the coordination chain
for concur or non-concur again.
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Make Corrections
All coordinators have the option to make
corrections themselves by clicking the Make
Corrections link. The nomination form will open
and the coordinator will be able to edit the
Narrative. The updated form can be Saved and
the application will continue to the next
coordinator in the chain.
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Completed Coordination
When your coordination and/or correction is
completed, enter the Next Coordination section
and submit the form to the next coordinator.
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Tracking
Track the status of an application in Dashboard.
The Worklist tab will show completed applications
and those pending action.
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Unit/Immediate Commander Coordination
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Coordination Refresh
Pending nominations can be found in the Worklist
tab. When necessary (if any changes have been
made to the Action Requests filter or enough time
has elapsed) click on the Refresh button to
update your display.
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Unit CC Coordination
Unit commander will be able to review the
nomination and review any prior coordination by
selecting the record in the Coordination Actions
table.
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Unit/Immediate CC Coordination
Coordination options allow concur, non-concur,
request corrections be made or make the
corrections, and add attachments. If concur,
enter identifying information and any applicable
remarks and forward to next level of
coordination. Approval Authority does not
require further coordination.
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Downgrade/Upgrade
If Unit/Immediate Commander selects non-concur an
option to upgrade or downgrade will become
available and a pop-up will prompt them to enter
applicable remarks in the field on the form.
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Unit/Immediate CC Remarks
IMPORTANT If any check box except Concur is
selected, data must be entered in the Remarks
field. If Request Corrections is selected, the
other checkboxes and the Next Coordination
field will be disabled and the application will
be returned to the nominator to make the
corrections.
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Unit CC Coordination
Unit/Immediate CC will have the ability to select
the next coordination/approval level (Group/Wing
CC or Equivalent) under the Role function.
Each coordination level for approval or
disapproval action will be based on
State/Territory/Wing policy. (See IAW
AFI36-2803, Table 1.1.). If additional
coordinators are required, select Individual
vPC-GR Account and then search for a name
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Wing and/or Group and/or Equivalent CC
Coordination
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Wing/Group CC or Equiv Review
The Group or Wing Commander will be able to
review the nomination and also any prior
coordination by selecting the record in the
Coordination Actions table.
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Wing/Group CC or Equiv
Coordination options allow approve or disapprove,
request corrections be made, or make corrections.
Enter identifying information and any applicable
remarks. FOR WING or Equiv When coordination is
completed select Submit on the bottom left of
the screen. No further coordination
needed--unless Request Corrections is selected.
If not, the nomination application will now be
sent to TFSC-Denver, for processing FOR GROUP or
Equiv When coordination is completed select the
Wing CC or Equiv for approval.
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GSU Group CC Coordination
Group is considered a GSU and Group CC is 0-6 or
above, and the Commander is designated as Wing CC
or Equivalent they may approve or disapprove the
nomination for the AF Commendation Medal and AF
Achievement Medal using the vPC-GR Wing CC role.
Group CC has authority to approve AFAM any time
(IAW AFI36-2803, Table 1.1.) Once nomination is
approved it is forwarded to ARPC to update.
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Wing/Group CC Non Concur
IMPORTANT If any check box except Approved is
selected, data in the Remarks field must be
entered. If Request Corrections is selected,
the other checkboxes and the Next Coordination
field will be disabled and the application will
be returned to the nominator to make the
corrections.
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Federal Awards and Decorations Tracking
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Work in Progress
Under the Worklist Tab, Nominators, Coordinators,
and Commanders can monitor the status of an Award
or Decoration submission. Work in Progress
means Someone is currently Working on the
Nomination. Coordination means A request for
action is currently pending.
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Work in Progress (Status)
Highlight a Work in Progress nomination to
display all entries for coordination completed,
by whom, and the current status.
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Other Awards Decorations
A description outlining the purpose of each Award
or Decoration application (Module) is provided
to assist each user on were to submit a specific
action/request.
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-Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
(MOVSM)-Combat Readiness Medal (CRM)
MOVSM and CRM
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MOVSM
The chief difference between the achievement
medals and the Military Outstanding Volunteer
Service Medal (MOVSM) is instead of a
justification and narrative, Activity Info
recounts the on and off duty accomplishments of
the military volunteer. It is approved by the
Group Commander.
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Combat Readiness Medal
Use this to certify service in combat or mission
ready status for direct weapons system
employment.
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-Revocation of Decorations-Denial of AF Reserve
Meritorious Service Medal
Other Actions for CCs
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ARFMSM Denial
The Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal
(ARFMSM) can be denied for enlisted periods of
less than exemplary behavior, efficiency and
fidelity. To identify such a period for denial
of automatically generated ARFMSM, use Select
button and drop-down menus to fill in form for
processing denial letter of ARFMSM. The denial
letter will be filed into Automated Records
Management System (ARMS) by TFSC-Denver.
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Decoration Revocation
Previously awarded decorations may be revoked if
the reason no longer exists, or facts determined
later, would have prevented original approval.
Use Select to choose member and drop down menus
to fill in decoration revocation form.
To revoke a nomination or decoration awarded (see
AFI 36-2803 for conditions for revocation) fill
out the coordination from this application
(Module).
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-Correct Federal Awards and Decorations-Copy
of Decorations-Current Federal Awards and
Decorations Listing-Decoration Inquiry Status
of an Award or Decoration submitted from previous
Unit
Individual Member Process Requests
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Correction of Federal Awards Decs
NOTE Check Awards Decs record in virtual MPF
before submitting a correction request.
Select Correct Awards Decs. Form will
auto-fill with profile information and Request
Category and Type. Fill in Request Subject,
Details and attach documentation.
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Copy of Award or Decoration Documents
Select Decoration Copy. Form will auto-fill
with Profile information and Request Category and
Type. Fill in Request Subject, Details and
attach documentation.
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Your Current Awards Decs Listing
Select Awards Decs Listing. Form will
auto-fill with Profile information and Request
Category and Type. Fill in Request Subject,
Details and attach documentation.
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Award or Decoration Inquiry
Select Decoration Copy. Form will auto-fill
with Profile information and Request Category and
Type. Change the pre-populated Request Type
to Awards Application using the drop-down menu.
Also enter Awards Application into Request
Subject, enter any details and attach
documentation (if applicable).
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Summary

• This has been a demonstration of the enhanced
  vPC-GR Federal Awards and Decorations capability.
  We have reviewed how to
• Submit a nomination for an award or decoration,
  correct federal awards decorations, request a
  copy of your decorations, view current federal
  awards decorations listing and inquire about
  the status of a submitted award or decoration,
  all within Dashboard
• Use Dashboard to check on the status of, to
  coordinate on and to make changes to a nomination
• (Commanders only) Recommend upgrade or downgrade
  of an award or decoration, make a concurrence on
  or decide the approval of an award or decoration,
  as well as revoke a decoration and deny a medal,
  all within Dashboard
• If you have any additional questions or concerns
  please contact us using information provided on
  the next slide.

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Information Assistance
AFRC / ANG Tutorials PSD Handbook (Guide) ARPC
Contact CenterToll Free 1-800-525-0102,(0600
to 1800 MT / Monday - Friday)(0800 to 1600 MT /
1st 2nd Saturday of each month) (0900 to
1300 MT / 1st 2nd Sunday of each month) Fax
Commercial 478-327-2215, DSN 497-2215 E-mail
arpc.contactcenter_at_arpc.denver.af.mil