Armed Forces Awards and Decorations Program

Armed Forces Awards and Decorations Program
Name	Armed Forces Awards and Decorations Program
Type	National and service awards
Status	Active

Armed Forces Awards and Decorations Program The Armed Forces Awards and Decorations Program is a standardized system for recognizing heroism and meritorious service across armed forces institutions, aligning criteria with statutory authorities, executive directives, and service regulations. The program interfaces with legacy systems such as the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, Air Force Cross, Silver Star, Purple Heart, and campaign decorations from conflicts like the World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War to contemporary operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, while coordinating with civilian honors such as the Presidential Medal of Freedom and departmental awards from the Department of Defense.

Overview

The program establishes common policies for awards including valor citations like the Medal of Honor, service medals such as the National Defense Service Medal, campaign awards tied to the European Theater of Operations and Pacific Theater, and unit citations exemplified by the Presidential Unit Citation. It reconciles statutory authorities from statutes like the Title 10 of the United States Code and executive instruments including Executive Order 11003 with service-specific manuals such as the Army Regulation 600-8-22, Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual (SECNAVINST 1650.1), and the Air Force Instruction 36-2803. The program also engages with interagency partners including the Department of Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs, and allied award frameworks like the Victoria Cross and Legion of Merit in interoperability contexts.

Eligibility and Criteria

Eligibility criteria derive from definitions of combat heroism found in doctrine publications such as Field Manual 3-0, Marine Corps Warfighting Publication (MCWP) 5-1, and Air Force Doctrine Document 3-0. Criteria distinguish valor, meritorious service, and non-combat achievement; examples include actions during named operations like Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and NATO missions like Operation Allied Force. Statutory eligibility often references veteran status under Veterans Health Administration records, service time recorded in Defense Manpower Data Center files, and corroboration from unit rosters like those of 1st Infantry Division, 2nd Marine Division, 82nd Airborne Division, and carrier strike groups such as USS Nimitz (CVN-68). Civilian recipients may qualify under provisions involving agencies like the Central Intelligence Agency or contractors embedded with units such as DynCorp.

Types of Awards and Decorations

Awards categories include valor decorations like the Distinguished Service Cross, service crosses from the Coast Guard and Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, campaign medals like the Iraq Campaign Medal, expeditionary medals exemplified by the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, achievement medals such as the Army Commendation Medal, and long service awards like the Good Conduct Medal. Unit-level awards include the Navy Unit Commendation and the Joint Meritorious Unit Award. Decorations for foreign cooperation include exchange decorations like the NATO Medal, bilateral honors such as the Order of Australia, and alliance-level recognitions like the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Specialist badges and tabs—e.g., Combat Action Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab, and Special Forces Tab—supplement medal systems.

Nomination and Approval Process

Nomination processes typically begin at the unit level with endorsements by command echelons like battalion commanders, squadron commanders, or flag officers such as admirals and generals, referencing evidentiary materials including after-action reports, witness statements, and medical records from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center or Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. Boards such as service decoration boards and promotion boards review packages per timelines found in Army Regulation 600-8-22 and service equivalents; higher awards require review by secretarial authorities, the Secretary of the Navy, the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Air Force, or the Secretary of Homeland Security for the Coast Guard. Medal upgrades and awards to next-of-kin follow procedures established by the Armed Forces Board of Corrections and judicial-like reviews analogous to Boards for Correction of Military Records.

Wear and Precedence

Wear regulations define order of precedence derived from joint service guidance and service dress manuals such as the Army Blue Uniform Regulation and the Navy Uniform Regulations. Precedence places valor decorations like the Medal of Honor above service crosses, then the Silver Star, followed by campaign medals including the Korean Service Medal and foreign awards approved per DoD Manual 1348.33. Devices and attachments—oak leaf clusters, service stars, numerals, and valor devices—are governed by standards from the Defense Logistics Agency and service procurement via organizations like the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Special authorizations cover wear during ceremonies at venues such as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, national events at Arlington National Cemetery, and state functions involving the President of the United States.

Administration and Recordkeeping

Administrative stewardship resides with personnel offices like Human Resources Command (HRC), Navy Personnel Command, Air Force Personnel Center, and the Coast Guard Personnel Service Center, with records maintained in repositories such as the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System and archives including the National Archives and Records Administration. Award issuances are logged using transaction systems interoperable with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service for benefits linkage and veteran entitlements. Correction mechanisms use boards like the Army Board for Correction of Military Records and the Board for Correction of Naval Records, while fraud investigations may involve the Office of the Inspector General and criminal referral to the Department of Justice.

Historical Development and Reforms

Origins trace to early decorations like the Purple Heart and 19th-century brevet recognitions awarded after conflicts such as the American Civil War and the Spanish–American War. Major reforms followed the World War II expansion of campaign ribbons, post‑Vietnam consolidations, and legislative changes in Title 10 of the United States Code that standardized authorization authorities. Recent reforms responding to combat experience and technological change include updates after Operation Enduring Freedom, policy revisions influenced by incidents reviewed by panels like the Silver Panel and studies by institutions such as the RAND Corporation and Center for Strategic and International Studies. Internationally, interoperability efforts coordinate with NATO standardization through the North Atlantic Council and alliance doctrine from NATO Standardization Office.

Category: Military awards and decorations