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| Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual | |
|---|---|
| Name | Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual |
| Publisher | United States Department of the Navy |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Military decorations and awards policy |
| Release date | Various editions (20th–21st centuries) |
| Pages | varies |
Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual is the principal directive governing the issuance, approval, and wear of decorations and awards within the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. It articulates criteria for medals, ribbons, badges, and unit awards used by personnel attached to commands such as the Pacific Fleet, Fleet Forces Command, II Marine Expeditionary Force, and operational formations like Carrier Strike Group 11 and 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines. The manual interfaces with DoD-level issuances and impacts service members assigned to organizations including Naval Special Warfare Command, United States Fleet Forces Command, Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, and shore establishments like Naval Station Norfolk.
The manual codifies award nomenclature referenced by higher authorities such as the Department of the Navy, Secretary of the Navy, Secretary of Defense, and the President of the United States for decorations including the Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Service Medal (United States), and campaign recognitions like the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. It standardizes procedures applied across formations from the U.S. Pacific Fleet to the Marine Corps Installations Command, and aligns with interservice instruments such as the Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Purple Heart. The manual also addresses ribbon devices used by communities including Aviation Safety Command, Naval Aviation Schools Command, and units tracing lineage to historic commands like the Battle Fleet.
Origins trace to earlier directives issued by the Department of the Navy and practices from conflicts involving units like the Great White Fleet era squadrons, the Asiatic Fleet, and expeditionary elements in the Banana Wars. Revisions reflected lessons from major engagements such as the World War II campaigns in the Pacific Theater, Battle of Midway, and the Battle of Guadalcanal, and later adaptations after operations like Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. Institutional changes involved authorities including the Chief of Naval Operations, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and advisory bodies like the Board of Decorations and Medals. Influences came from legislation like the Medal of Honor Act and precedents set by service awards such as the Navy Unit Commendation and the Presidential Unit Citation.
The manual enumerates personal decorations, unit awards, campaign and service medals, and qualification badges for specialties covering communities such as Naval Aviation, Submarine Force, Surface Warfare, and Marine Infantry. Criteria differentiate valor awards like the Navy Cross and Silver Star from achievement awards such as the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and also prescribe campaign devices for theaters including European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal. Eligibility rules reference commands and posts from Commander, Naval Air Forces to squadrons like VFA-103 and Marine units like 1st Marine Division, and include provisions for personnel attached to joint organizations such as United States Central Command and United States Africa Command.
Approval authorities specified include flag and general officers in chains through offices such as Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and Headquarters Marine Corps. Presentation protocols cover ceremonies at locations including The Pentagon, Marine Barracks Washington, Naval Academy, and afloat presentations aboard vessels like USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76). The manual prescribes endorsement routes involving reporting seniors from entities such as Carrier Air Wing Five, II MEF staff, and administrative review by boards like the Naval Awards and Decorations Review Board. It also aligns with award coordination for joint operations led by commanders in theaters such as United States European Command.
Detailed guidance covers devices including stars, valor devices, service stars, oak leaf clusters used in interservice contexts, and specialty insignia for communities like Naval Aircrew and Reconnaissance Marine. Specifications reference manufacturing and wear standards consistent with suppliers used by institutions such as Naval Supply Systems Command and measurement standards from the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The manual clarifies precedence with decorations like the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, badges like the Combat Action Ribbon, and tab-like recognitions associated with Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command training.
Recordkeeping provisions instruct uniform entries into service records maintained by offices such as Bureau of Naval Personnel, Marine Corps Manpower Personnel Management, and personnel systems including the Defense Personal Data System. Awards affect promotion boards convened by bodies like the Promotion Board for Enlisted Personnel and selection panels managed by commands such as Headquarters Marine Corps for officer promotion to ranks administered by Naval Personnel Command. Guidance covers posthumous awards for casualties referenced to units like USS Cole (DDG-67) detachments and procedures for corrections via channels like the Board for Correction of Naval Records.
The manual has undergone periodic revisions issued by authorities including the Secretary of the Navy and adjudicated through advisory groups such as the Naval Historical Center and doctrinal offices within Marine Corps Combat Development Command. Updates have followed major events and legal adjustments related to decorations arising from conflicts like Korean War, Vietnam War, and operations around Horn of Africa. Amendments coordinate with joint directives from the Office of the Secretary of Defense and interoperability considerations with services such as the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Space Force.