DECORATIONS HONORS AND AWARDS

Summary. This Regulation sets forth policy and guidance for awarding of Decorations, Awards and Honors to members of the USNDFSCOM

Supersedes. This regulation supersedes all previous USNDFSCOM Regulation 672-1.

Applicability. This regulation applies to all components, elements, detachments, units and personnel of the USNDFSCOM.
Supplementation. Supplementation of this regulation and establishment of command and local policies award or wear of decorations, awards or honors are prohibited without prior written approval from the Chief of Operations

Suggested Improvements. Suggested improvements which may be considered for this regulation should be forwarded in writing to the proponent agency of this regulation.

Contents Paragraph

Chapter 1
General
Purpose 1-1
Policy 1-2
Definitions 1-3
Authorized Decorations and Awards 1-4

Chapter 2
Criteria for Decorations, Awards, and
Unit Awards
Decorations 2-1
Awards 2-2
Unit Awards 2-3
Qualification 2-4

Chapter 3
Recommendation and Approval Authority
General 3-1
Approval authority 3-2
Recommendation for decoration 3-3
Decorations Board 3-4
Recommendation for award 3-5
Processing and announcement 3-6

Chapter 4
Presentation of Decorations, Awards, and
Unit Awards

Contents Paragraph

Decorations 4-1
Awards and Unit Awards 4-2
Issuance of medal, ribbon, or device 4-3
Procurement of ribbons or devices 4-4

Chapter 5
Miscellaneous Awards and Honors
Letters of Commendation and Achievement 5-1
Certificates of Appreciation 5-2
Wearing of Decorations, Awards,and Badges 5-3

Chapter 6
Auditing Awards
Auditing of awards 6-1

Appendix A
Decorations, Awards, and A-1
Unit Awards Ribbon Chart

Chapter 1
General

1-1. Purpose. The purpose of this regulation is to establish an awards program so as to provide tangible evidence of public recognition performed and exceptional or outstanding service or achievement rendered by members of the USNDFSCOM.

1-2. Policy.

Decorations are awarded on a restricted and individual basis in recognition of heroic, extraordinary, outstanding and meritorious acts, achievements and services.
No more than one decoration will be awarded for the same act, achievement or period of meritorious service except that a decoration may be awarded for an act of heroism performed within the same period for which a meritorious service award has been made or recommended.
No decoration shall be awarded or presented to any individual whose entire subsequent to the time of the act, achievement of service shall not have been honorable.
Special consideration shall be given to the recognition of outstanding company grade and warrant officers and enlisted personnel whose achievements and services have met the prescribed criteria herein.
Service ribbons are awarded generally in recognition of loyal and faithful performance of duty and accomplishments during designated periods of service. Unit commanders and/or custodians of personnel records will administratively award appropriate service ribbons to individuals whenever they meet the criteria prescribed in this regulations.
Only one decoration or award will be given to any individual. Except as noted in Section II, all entitlements subsequent to the initial award will be awarded a bronze cluster. When more than one cluster is authorized, they will be arranged in a horizontal row centered in the middle of the ribbon. A silver cluster is worn in lieu of five (5) bronze clusters and is worn to the wear’s right of any bronze cluster(s). All clusters are worn with the oak stems to the wearer’s right.
While no time limitations on awards is prescribed, the award should be made as soon as possible after it is earned.
Unless specifically noted otherwise, decorations or awards may only be awarded for acts or activities which occur subsequent to the adoption of a given decoration or award.

An appropriate certificate and citation will be presented as a part of each decoration awarded. Certificates and citations are not presented with service ribbons (awards).

1-3. Definitions.

As used in this regulation, the use of the pronouns such as himself, include she, her and herself as appropriate.
Heroism. Specific acts of courageous conduct at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty or a closely related series of heroic acts performed within a short period of time.
Distinguished himself by. A person to have distinguished himself must have, by praiseworthy accomplishment, be set apart from all other persons in the same or similar circumstances. Determination of the distinction requires careful consideration of exactly what is or was expected as the ordinary, routine or customary behavior and accomplishment for the individuals of like rank and experience for the circumstances involved.
Duty of responsibility. Duty which by virtue of the position held, carries a high degree of the responsibility for the successful operation of a major command, activity, agency or project. The discharge of such duty must involve the acceptance and fulfillment of the obligation so as to greatly benefit the interest of the USNDFSCOM and the United States.
Duty of responsibility. Duty which, by virtue of the position held, carries a high degree of the responsibility for the successful operation of a major command, activity, agency or project or which requires the exercise of judgment and decision affecting plans, policies and operations on the lives and well-being of others.
Key individual. A person who is occupying a position that is indispensable to an organization, activity, or project.
Meritorious achievement. A praiseworthy accomplishment, with an easily discernible beginning and end, carried through to completion. The length of time involved is not a consideration but speed of accomplishment may be a factor in determining the worth of the enterprise.
Meritorious service. Praise worthy execution of duties over a period of time. Service differs from achievement in that service concerns a period of time, while achievement concerns an enterprise having definite beginning and end, but not necessarily connected with a specific period of time.
Officer. The word “Officer” means “Commissioned or Warrant officer”.
Non-Commissioned Officer. The word “Non-Commissioned Officer” (NCO) shall include the grades Sergeant (E-5) through Sergeant (E-9) and certain designated “specialists”.
Anniversary year. That period of time commencing with the Date of Entry (Appointment date, see orders) and to the subsequent Anniversary date.

1-4. Authorized Decorations and Awards. Authorized Decorations and Awards are named in order of precedence in Figure 1.

1-5. The effective date of this regulation is 1 January 2007.

2-1. Decorations.

Medal of Valor. The Medal of Valor may be presented to any member who distinguishes himself by courageous conduct at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, while in the service. This award shall be made only upon clear, convincing and incontestable proof by an affidavit of at least one eyewitness having personal knowledge of the act or deed.

2-2. Awards.

Commendation Award. The Commendation Award may be awarded to any Commissioned Officer, Warrant Officer or Non-Commissioned Officer who while serving in any capacity shall perform in such an exemplary manner as to far exceed the action of normal duty requirements.
Achievement Award. The Achievement Award may be awarded to individuals who have distinguished themselves by meritorious achievement or service, which while lesser than that required for the Commendation Award. However, the service or achievement shall be such that it clearly sets him/her above his peers and beyond what would be considered as normal or routine duty. This award may also be awarded with palm leaf for acts of heroism not meriting a higher degree of valor. Subsequent awards will be indicated with bronze oak leaf clusters. An award for valor to be indicated by affixing a bronze “V” device.
Meritorious Service Award. For meritorious achievement or service, which is superior to that which is normally expected. The achievement or service must be such that it sets the individual above and apart from his/her peers. The individual should be exemplary in performance of duty, appearance, and military bearing.
Commanding General’s Individual Award. May be given to any member by the Commanding General or in the name of the Commanding General by the Division or Group Commander at any USNDFSCOM function or activity for exceptional performance. This ribbon may be awarded by the Commanding General as a “pocket award” or through recommendation by unit commanders.
Recruiting Achievement Award. The Recruiting Achievement Award may be awarded to any member who recruits five (5) new enlistees or officers within any six (6) month period. Certification of the enlistees and appointments will accompany recommendations for the award and a list indicating the names and dates of those enlisted or appointed is required. Re-enlistments do not qualify in meeting the criteria for this award. Subsequent awards will be indicated with knot devices.
Professional Development Award. (1) For enlisted, awarded upon successful completion of prescribed NCO Basic Course, approved university, college, ROTC, and other approved courses of study which clearly contribute to the professional development of the soldier. This ribbon may also be awarded for approved developmental courses provided by other military services or Federal or State governmental agencies. Approval of criteria for award, other than NCO Basic Course, will be determined by an awards board. In no case shall the criteria be less than the requirements of FEMA courses. Eight (8) FEMA courses are required.
(2) For Officers, awarded upon completion of prescribed Officer Academy Courses, approved university, college, ROTC, and other approved courses of study which clearly contribute to the professional development. This ribbon may also be awarded for approved developmental courses provided by other military services or Federal or State governmental agencies. May be awarded to officers engaged in the education and training program for course and program development and/or instructing in the program for a prescribed number of courses/hours. Approval of criteria for award or equivalency criteria, will be determined by an awards board. In no case shall the criteria be less than the requirements for enlisted.
War on Terrorism Award. Awarded to individuals that are called to actiive duty by the USNDFSCOM Chief of Operations for current military operations.
Service Award. Awarded upon completion of one (1) year of service. No subsequent award will be given, however, a 3/16 inch bronze star will be awarded for each additional three (3) years of uninterrupted service.
Community Service Award. The Community Service Award may be presented to any member who has made significant contributions to the quality of life in a community, either over a period of time or in some single substantial manner, through their personal involvement, dedication and effort.

2-3. Unit Awards.

Meritorious Unit Service Award (with Gold Frame). This award may be awarded at the direction of the Commanding General to any unit or organization which the CG determines has made a significant contribution, above and beyond the norm, to the success of the USNDFSCOM-ARMY. This award will include a gold frame and will be worn over the right breast pocket. (1) Award and Wear. The Meritorious Unit Service Award (MUSA) is awarded to members of units or organizations. When a unit or organization's members are awarded the MUSA, all current members of that unit or organization are permanently awarded the award. The award order will be maintained in their personnel file and they may continue to wear the award regardless of future unit or organizational assignments.
(2) Persons who were not assigned to the unit or organization when the award was made, but are subsequently assigned to the unit or organization, may not wear the award.
Organizational Excellence Award. Awarded to small and un-numbered units in recognition of achievement and service. May be recommended by battalion commanders and higher headquarters. Persons assigned or temporarily attached to the unit during the period for which the unit was cited and granted the award are permanently awarded this ribbon. Individuals who were not assigned to the unit or organization when the award was made, but are subsequently assigned to the unit or organization, may wear the award.

2-4. Qualification.

Instruction or training will be required for a multitude of situations and specialties (MOS), some of which may be beyond current experience or imagination. Therefore, any doubt as to the applicability of the training to qualify for the above ribbons should be resolved in favor of the recipient. However, USNDFSCOM HQ will closely monitor all ribbons awarded to preclude obvious deviations from the intent herein and provide guidance for future awards of these training ribbons.
Any questions relating to the qualifications for any of the above decorations or awards should be directed informally to the Assistant Chief of Staff, Personnel and Administration (G1). Differences of opinion or disputes relating to the above decorations or awards will be resolved for the Commander, by the Chief of Staff or his Deputy and that decision will be final.