United States military awards system
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| United States military awards system | |
|---|---|
| Name | United States military awards system |
| Established | 18th century–present |
| Administered by | Department of Defense; Department of the Army; Department of the Navy; Department of the Air Force |
| Type | decorations, medals, ribbons, badges |
| Status | active |
United States military awards system The United States military awards system organizes decorations awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces to recognize valor, service, achievement, and specific qualifications. It operates through the Department of Defense, the Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy, and the Department of the Air Force, and interfaces with laws such as the Stolen Valor Act and policies like the DoD Manual 1348.33. The system affects personnel in the United States Army, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, United States Air Force, United States Space Force, and United States Coast Guard.
Overview and Purpose
The system’s primary purposes include recognizing personal heroism exemplified by awards such as the Medal of Honor, honoring sustained distinguished service with decorations like the Distinguished Service Cross and the Navy Cross, and documenting campaign participation via awards such as the Purple Heart and campaign medals including the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Iraq Campaign Medal. It supports retention and morale programs influencing organizations such as the United States Military Academy and Naval Academy cadets, and it aligns with statutory authorities in the United States Code and guidance from the Secretary of Defense. Awarding authorities range from unit commanders to service secretaries and sometimes require review by boards including the Board for Correction of Military Records.
Categories and Precedence of Awards
Awards divide into categories: personal decorations, unit awards, service ribbons, campaign and expeditionary medals, and badges/qualifications like the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Navy SEAL Trident. Precedence follows rules codified by the Office of the Secretary of Defense and service regulations such as Army Regulation 600–8–22 and the Navy’s MILPERSMAN, determining order between awards like the Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, and foreign awards authorized under Executive Order 11016. Unit awards include the Presidential Unit Citation and the Navy Unit Commendation, while service ribbons include long service awards such as the Armed Forces Service Medal. Devices such as oak leaf clusters, service stars, and valor devices (V device) modify awards and affect precedence as described in service directives.
Individual Decorations and Medals by Branch
Each branch maintains unique decorations while sharing joint awards. The United States Army issues the Distinguished Service Cross, the Soldier’s Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal; the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps issue the Navy Cross, the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal; the United States Air Force issues the Air Force Cross, the Air Force Combat Action Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal; the United States Space Force aligns with Air Force decorations and authorizes badges such as the Space Operations Badge; the United States Coast Guard awards the Coast Guard Medal, the Coast Guard Commendation Medal, and the Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal. Joint service medals like the Defense Distinguished Service Medal and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal are administered by the Office of the Secretary of Defense and awarded across services for interservice assignments such as at United States Central Command or the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Award Criteria and Approval Process
Criteria vary with award: the Medal of Honor requires conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty, typically reviewed through chain-of-command nomination, service secretarial endorsement, and congressional authorization; high-level awards such as the Distinguished Service Medal require sustained exceptional performance often approved by service secretaries and the President of the United States for top-level decorations. Lower-level awards are approved by commanders in the field per regulations like Army Regulation 600–8–22 and Navy instructions. Documentation includes citations, witness statements, and after-action reports linked to operations such as Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom. Boards and review panels, including the Military Decorations Board, handle revocation, upgrading, or correction requests, sometimes adjudicated by the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit for legal claims.
Wearing Regulations and Uniform Insignia
Wearing regulations are established in service manuals such as Army Regulation 670–1, Navy Uniform Regulations, and Air Force Instruction 36–2903, prescribing placement of medals, ribbons, badges, and devices on uniforms including the Army Service Uniform, Navy Service Dress, Air Force Service Dress, and Marine Corps Dress Blues. Regulations define precedence, combined awards display, and award denials or restrictions for inter-service transfers and retired personnel; special authorizations exist for foreign awards like the Order of the British Empire when approved by the President or the Secretary of Defense. Qualification badges such as the Parachutist Badge, the Airborne Insignia, and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge have distinct wear criteria and color schemes.
History and Evolution of the System
Roots trace to Revolutionary-era recognitions such as the Badge of Military Merit and the 19th-century establishment of medals like the Medal of Honor during the American Civil War. The 20th century saw expansion during World War I and World War II with campaign medals, service ribbons, and unit citations institutionalized by Congress and the War Department; Cold War-era additions addressed service in conflicts such as the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Post-9/11 operations generated new awards and devices for counterinsurgency and joint operations, reflecting changes in doctrine from the Goldwater-Nichols Act and consolidation under the Department of Defense. Periodic reforms address issues from fraudulent claims to equity in recognition, with notable cases adjudicated by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and legislative action in the United States Congress.