Hence his being awarded the Army Commendation Medal as a retirement award - unheard of, and even scandalous, for a senior NCO to receive such a low award after 24 years. Most senior NCOs normally get a Meritorious Service Medal or even a Legion of Merit if they are particularly squared away. It’s clear Walz’s chain of command considered him a turd and wanted him to know it.
We still got no confirmation he even got a retirement award. Someone has to write thebaward citation and submit it for approval. All we know at this time is his highest service award was an arcom. He very well could have just gotten his paperwork mailed to him with no note.