Army Awards and Decorations Branch
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| Army Awards and Decorations Branch | |
|---|---|
| Name | Army Awards and Decorations Branch |
| Established | 1970s |
| Jurisdiction | United States Army |
| Headquarters | Fort Belvoir |
| Parent agency | United States Army Human Resources Command |
Army Awards and Decorations Branch
The Army Awards and Decorations Branch administers military awards and manages personnel records for the United States Army force structure, coordinating with Department of the Army leadership, Service members and external stakeholders such as the Department of Defense and allied services. It integrates policy from the Secretary of the Army, implements directives from the Chief of Staff of the Army, and supports award programs linked to operational events like the Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
History
The Branch traces administrative lineage through Adjutant General's Corps functions and award practices dating to the Revolutionary War era and institutional reforms after the Vietnam War and the Goldwater-Nichols Act. Reorganizations reflected guidance from the Secretary of Defense and shifts following major actions such as the Persian Gulf War and the post-9/11 conflicts, aligning with changes directed by the Army Regulation 600-8-22 process and the evolution of decorations established by acts of United States Congress and decisions by the Secretary of the Army.
Mission and Responsibilities
Primary responsibilities include adjudicating eligibility for decorations like the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, and Silver Star, and overseeing administrative awards such as the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and campaign decorations for theaters including Operation Torch and Operation Anaconda. The Branch liaises with the Combatant Commands including CENTCOM, EUCOM, INDOPACOM, and AFRICOM to validate actions tied to awards, supports forensic review boards such as those convened for Medal of Honor reconsiderations, and ensures alignment with statutory authorities from the Congress of the United States and guidance from the Judge Advocate General's Corps.
Organization and Personnel
The Branch operates within the United States Army Human Resources Command framework and interacts with the Adjutant General School, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1, and personnel directorates at major commands like FORSCOM, TRADOC, and USAR. Staffed by human resources specialists and decorations clerks drawn from career fields within the Army Reserve and Army National Guard, it coordinates with the Inspector General of the Army, Provost Marshal General, and medical review authorities such as the Surgeon General of the Army when awards require corroborating evidence.
Awards and Decorations Administered
The Branch manages the processing and entitlement for a spectrum of awards from valor to service: valor decorations like the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star; distinguished service honors including the Distinguished Service Medal and Legion of Merit; campaign and service decorations such as the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, and Afghanistan Campaign Medal; and non-combat recognitions like the Army Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and unit awards like the Presidential Unit Citation and Valorous Unit Award. It also administers badges and tabs including the Combat Infantryman Badge, Combat Action Badge, Airborne Badge, and Ranger Tab in coordination with qualification authorities like USASOC and Airborne and Ranger units.
Nomination and Approval Process
Nominations originate at unit levels such as platoon or battalion and progress through command channels including brigade, division, and corps, requiring endorsement from commanders and adjudication by boards formed under Army Regulation 600-8-22. Reviews may call upon historical documentation from National Archives, witness statements from service members in Combatant Commands, and legal review by Judge Advocate General's Corps offices; higher awards require packet submission to authorities such as the Secretary of the Army or the President of the United States for the Medal of Honor. The Branch maintains standardized forms and digital records interoperable with systems like the Army Human Resources Command portal and the Defense Personnel Records Information System.
Regulations and Policies
Policy oversight derives from Army Regulation 600-8-22 and directives issued by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, with statutory constraints set by the United States Congress and precedent from Supreme Court of the United States decisions that affect entitlement adjudication. The Branch interprets policy for application across commands including FORSCOM, TRADOC, USARPAC, and integrates guidance from the Inspector General of the Department of Defense and audit findings by the Government Accountability Office. It issues implementing guidance, updates award criteria following lessons from operations like Operation Gothic Serpent and reports to authorities including the Under Secretary of the Army.
Training and Professional Development
Personnel undergo formal instruction at the Adjutant General School and recurrent training via professional courses tied to Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development (NCOPD), Officer Education System, and civilian credentialing through institutions such as American Society for Training and Development affiliates. Continuing education includes updates from the Army Publications Directorate, workshops with the National Defense University, and cross-branch seminars with United States Navy, United States Air Force, and allied partners like British Army and Canadian Armed Forces to harmonize award policies and practices.