AWARDS and Decorations

The objective of the DA Military Awards Program is to provide tangible recognition for acts of valor, exceptionalservice or achievement, special skills or qualifications, and acts of heroism not involving actual combat.

The Soldiers Medal

HQ Perscom

A decoration, medal, badge, ribbon, or appurtenance bestowed on an individual or a unit

An award to an individual for a specific act of gallantry or service

Certificate of Appreciation

1. Decorations2. Good Conduct Medal3. Service Medals4. Service Ribbons5. Badges and Tabs6. Certificates and Letters

The Medal of HonorThe Medal of Honor

The grade, name, and organization of the awardee are engraved on the reverse of the Medal of Honor.

The name of the awardee only

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The U.S. Congress

The President of the United States

"Valor"

Minerva, the roman goddess of wisdom and righteous war

1. U.S. Military Decorations2. U.S. Non-Military Decorations3. Prisoner of War Medal4. Good Conduct Medal5. U.S. Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal6. U.S. Service Medals and Service Ribbons7. U.S. Merchant Marine Decorations8. Foreign Decorations (Does not include Service Medals and Ribbons)9. Non-U.S. Service Medals and Ribbons

The Army Service Ribbon

Certificate of Achievement

Two Years

Not more than 1

Distinguished Flying CrossBronze Star MedalAir MedalARCOMJoint Service Commendation Medal

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For exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity

Honor, Efficiency, and Fidelity

The Company Commander

Every 3 years

AAM = Lieutenant Colonel and aboveARCOM = Colonel and aboveMSM = Major General and aboveLM = Lieutenant General and aboveDSM = U.S. Army Chief of Staff

Any person having knowledge of an outstanding act or achievement

Toanyone, military or civilian, wounded or killed in action against an armed enemy

The Distinguished Service Cross

The Purple Heart

1. Presidential Unit Citation (Army, Air Force).2. Presidential Unit Citation (Navy).3. Joint Meritorious Unit Award.4. Valorous Unit Award.5. Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army).6. Navy Unit Commendation.7. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.8. Coast Guard Unit Commendation.9. Army Superior Unit Award.10. Meritorious Unit Commendation (Navy).11. Navy “E” Ribbon.12. Air Force Organizational Excellence Award.13. Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation

It was awarded for valor in the revolutionary war

Good Conduct Medal Certificate

The Purple Heart

The battalion commander

Certificate of Training

For Military Achievement

For Military Merit

A rope like device worn to signify the award of a foreign decoration

When serving with a unit that received an award or if you were assigned to the unit when the award was assigned

1. Ranger2. Special Forces3. Presidents Hundred4. Sapper

1. Oak leaf clusters2. “V” Devices3. Numerals4. Clasps5. Service Stars6. Arrowhead7. Berlin Airlift Device8. Ten-Year Device9. “M” Device1. Oak leaf clusters2. “V” Devices3. Numerals4. Clasps5. Service Stars6. Arrowhead7. Berlin Airlift Device8. Ten-Year Device9. “M” Device

A second ribbon is authorized for wear. When the second ribbon is worn, it is place dafter the first ribbon; the secondribbon counts as one award. Personnel may wear no more than four oak leaf clusters on each ribbon. If the receipt offuture awards reduces the number of oak leaf clusters sufficiently (that is, a silver oak leaf for five awards), personnelwill remove the second ribbon and place the appropriate number of devices on a single ribbon.

DA Form 638DA Form 638

AR 600-8-22

1862

While clearly an individual decoration, the Purple Heart differs from all other decorations in that an individual is not“recommended” for the decoration; rather he or she is entitled to it upon meeting specific criteria.Combat Infantryman Badge Combat Action Badge Combat Medical Badge

1. Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB)2. Combat Action Badge (CAB)3. Combat Medical Badge (CMB)

Personnel in the grade of Colonel or below with an infantry or special forces military occupational specialty who havesatisfactorily performed duty while assigned as a member of an infantry/special forces unit, brigade or smaller size,during any period subsequent to 6 December 1941 when the unit was engaged in active ground combat. There isspecific criteria for each conflict that must also be met.

1. May be awarded to any soldier.2. Soldier must be performing assigned duties in an area where hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay isauthorized.3. Soldier must be personally present and actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy, and performingsatisfactorily in accordance with the prescribed rules of engagement.4. Soldier must not be assigned/attached to a unit that would qualify the soldier for the CIB/CMB.

Yes, provided they were assigned to a U.S. Army unit and meet the four specific eligibility requirements for the awardof the CAB.

Yes, provided the criteria for each badge is met. However, subsequent awards of the same badge within the samequalifying period are not authorized.

The following medical personnel, assigned or attached by appropriate orders to an infantry unit of brigade, regimental,or smaller size, or to a medical unit of company or smaller size, organic to an infantry unit of brigade or smaller size,during any period the infantry unit is engaged in actual ground combat are eligible for award of the badge, providedthey are personally present and under fire during such ground combat:1. Subsequent to 6 December 1941 – Army Medical Department (Colonels and below), the Navy MedicalDepartment (Captains and below), the Air Force Medical Service (Colonels and below), assigned or attached tothe Army, who have satisfactorily performed medical duties.2. Subsequent to 19 December 1989 – Special Forces personnel possessing military occupational specialty 18D(Special Operations Medical Sergeant) who satisfactorily performed medical duties while assigned or attached toa Special Forces unit during any period the unit is engaged in actual ground combat, provided they are personallypresent and under fire. Retroactive awards are not authorized.3. Subsequent to 16 January 1991 – Personnel outlined in (1) above, assigned or attached to Armor or groundCavalry units of brigade or smaller size, who satisfactorily performed medical duties while the unit is engaged inactual ground combat, provided they are personally present and under fire. Retroactive awards are not authorized.4. Subsequent to 11 September 2001 – Personnel outlined in (1) and (3) above, assigned or attached to or underoperational control of any ground Combat Arms units (not to include members assigned or attached to Aviationunits) of brigade or smaller size, who satisfactorily performed medical duties while the unit is engaged in actualground combat provided they are personally present and under fire. Retroactive awards are not authorized.The following medical personnel, assigned or attached by appropriate orders to an infantry unit of brigade, regimental,or smaller size, or to a medical unit of company or smaller size, organic to an infantry unit of brigade or smaller size,during any period the infantry unit is engaged in actual ground combat are eligible for award of the badge, providedthey are personally present and under fire during such ground combat:1. Subsequent to 6 December 1941 – Army Medical Department (Colonels and below), the Navy MedicalDepartment (Captains and below), the Air Force Medical Service (Colonels and below), assigned or attached tothe Army, who have satisfactorily performed medical duties.2. Subsequent to 19 December 1989 – Special Forces personnel possessing military occupational specialty 18D(Special Operations Medical Sergeant) who satisfactorily performed medical duties while assigned or attached toa Special Forces unit during any period the unit is engaged in actual ground combat, provided they are personallypresent and under fire. Retroactive awards are not authorized.3. Subsequent to 16 January 1991 – Personnel outlined in (1) above, assigned or attached to Armor or groundCavalry units of brigade or smaller size, who satisfactorily performed medical duties while the unit is engaged inactual ground combat, provided they are personally present and under fire. Retroactive awards are not authorized.4. Subsequent to 11 September 2001 – Personnel outlined in (1) and (3) above, assigned or attached to or underoperational control of any ground Combat Arms units (not to include members assigned or attached to Aviationunits) of brigade or smaller size, who satisfactorily performed medical duties while the unit is engaged in actualground combat provided they are personally present and under fire. Retroactive awards are not authorized.