GROUP 1: Identify 5 things that are right with the Army Awards Program. GROUP 2: Identify 5 things that are wrong with the Army Awards Program.

Learning Objective Action: Review the Awards and Decorations Program Condition: Senior HR Leaders in a classroom environment working individually and as a member of a small group, using doctrinal and administrative publications, practical exercises, case studies, personal experience, handouts, and discussion with an awareness of the Operational Environment (OE) variables and actors. Standard: With a minimum of 70% accuracy, identify award processing guidelines, determine eligibility and approval authorities, verify award submission data, maintain accountability of all award / badge recommendations, complete Part V of the DA Form 638, and advise personnel on awards procedures.

Army Awards Program Goals and Philosophy: Objective - To provide tangible recognition for: To foster mission accomplishment Recognize excellence of both military and civilian members Motivate personnel to high levels of performance and service Acts of valor Exceptional service or achievement Special skills or qualifications Acts of heroism not involving actual combat AR 600-8-22, para 1-1 and para 1-12 (a)

Awards Overview A decoration and decision as to which award is appropriate are both subjective determinations made by the commander. MILITARY AWARDS Will not be based upon grade. Should reflect both the level of responsibility and manner of performance. Should consider the degree of achievement or effectiveness on the unit as the predominate factor. Are not automatically entitled to an individual upon departure from an assignment. May be replaced with certificates / letters which may be appropriate for departing individuals. Will not be used as prizes in contests. Are not limited to a specific number per unit. STANDARDS OF SERVICE Awards will be processed expeditiously and recorded in military orders and certificates by the final approving authority within 60 days. Typed recommendations are the norm during peacetime. Handwritten recommendations are acceptable during wartime conditions. A final record of each recommendation will be maintained for historical purposes. Awards should be received at a formal presentation (medal, certificate, and orders) before leaving an assignment or transition from active duty. Awards and Decorations Boards may be used to advise commanders on appropriate levels of recognition (optional).

Disapproved / Downgraded Awards Awards – The Basics POLICIES Submitted within two years the of the act, achievement, or service to be honored If lost, may be resubmitted provided there is conclusive evidence of submission and of loss/failure to act on recommendation Soldiers who are flagged or whose service is other than honorable cannot receive decorations (Exceptions: flagged for failed APFT; overweight with GO waiver; retirement awards; awards for valor) Period is limited to the period of service during which the individual served under the recommending command Only one decoration is authorized for the same act, achievement, or period of service Awards for Retirement may reflect last 10 years of service Disapproved / Downgraded Awards Reconsideration or appeals must be submitted within one year from the date of the awarding authority’s decision Resubmitted only if new, substantive and material information is furnished Must be forwarded through the same official channels as the original recommendation For wartime awards, the above applies but if the wartime awards approval authority does not wish to act on the reconsideration request it is forwarded to the Military Awards Branch (HRC) for final decision Interim Awards To ensure recognition, the appropriate authority may promptly award a suitable lesser award pending final action on a recommendation for a higher award Example: ARCOM may be awarded as an interim award for heroism and for which a recommendation for the award of the DFC or the Soldier’s Medal has been submitted

Awards Submission Timelines Backwards Planning is key! Example Backwards Planning is key! Submit to Brigade 75 Days prior to presentation date Submit to Brigade 45 Days prior to presentation date Loss Date Goal = All deserving Soldiers PCS or transition with an award Brigade must submit MSMs to HQ 60 days prior to presentation date for GO consideration “Presentation Date” may differ from “Through Date” of award

Planning Considerations Individual Soldier Records updates SOPs updated with current: HRC awards policies Theater awards policies Commander’s award philosophy S-1 Soldiers trained / cross-trained Award supplies – binders, medal sets, certificates, coins, printer supplies Task Organization once deployed Unit Awards / Campaign Credit HRC Awards 7

http://youtu.be/NysxMe-2dPk

Categories of Individual Awards Decorations Good Conduct Medal Service Medals / Service Ribbons Badges / Tabs Certificates / Letters Foreign Awards 9

Individual Decorations 10

Army Good Conduct Medal Awarded for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity throughout a specified period of continuous enlisted active Federal military service Eligible personnel: Active Component enlisted Soldiers Active Guard Reserve (AGR) enlisted personnel Retroactively to eligible Army of the United States (AUS) enlisted Other Army enlisted as directed by the Secretary of the Army Ready Reserve enlisted ordered to AD under Title 10, USC S-1s generate an eligibility report and forward to units Company commanders are the approval authority to award the AGCM to enlisted personnel serving under their command

Service Medals and Ribbons Service (campaign) medals and service ribbons denote honorable performance of duty within specified limited dates in specified geographical areas. National Defense Service Medal Southwest Asia Service Medal Afghanistan Campaign Medal Iraq Campaign Medal Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal AR 600-8-22, Chapter 5

Afghanistan and Iraq Campaign Medal Service Stars One Bronze Service Star is authorized for wear on the ACM/ICM for one or more days of participation in each campaign designated below. Liberation of Afghanistan Consolidation I Consolidation II Consolidation III Transition I 11 Sep 01 - 30 Nov 01 1 Dec 01 - 30 Sep 06 1 Oct 06 - 30 Nov 09 1 Dec 09 - 30 Jun 11 1 Jul 11 - TBD OEF Liberation of Iraq Transition of Iraq Iraqi Governance National Resolution Iraqi Surge Iraqi Sovereignty New Dawn 19 Mar 03 - 1 May 03 2 May 03 - 28 Jun 04 29 Jun 04 - 15 Dec 05 16 Dec 05 - 9 Jan 07 10 Jan 07 - 31 Dec 08 1 Jan 09 - 31 Aug 10 1 Sep 10 - 31 Dec 11 OIF

Badges COMBAT IDENTIFICATION SPECIAL SKILL MARKSMANSHIP

Combat Badges Combat Infantryman Badge Combat Action Badge Combat Medical Badge

Wartime Decorations Soldier’s Medal Bronze Star Air Army Commendation The following are awards authorized to be awarded for wartime valor, service or achievement: Distinguished Service Cross Silver Legion of Merit Flying Honor Achievement Meritorious

PROCESSING PROCEDURES Purple Heart Criteria During wartime the Secretary of the Army delegates to wartime commanders authority to award the Purple Heart (PH). A “wound” is defined as an injury to any part of the body from an outside force or agent sustained. A key issue commanders must consider is the degree to which the enemy caused injury. The PH differs from all other individual decorations in that an individual is not “recommended” for the decoration; rather he or she is entitled to it upon meeting specific criteria. PROCESSING PROCEDURES Request for consideration of the Purple Heart could include:  Chain of command endorsement Deployment orders ORB/ERB Narrative describing qualifying incident Casualty Report SF 600 (Chronological Record of Medical Care)

http://youtu.be/zmu_180I9dI

Army Unit Awards PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION (PUC) VALOROUS UNIT AWARD (VUA) Wartime Award - awarded for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy Display gallantry, determination, esprit de corps Accomplish mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions Actions set unit apart from and above other units participating in same campaign Single or successive actions covering a relatively short period of time Degree of heroism commensurate with Distinguished Service Cross Wartime Award - awarded for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy Display gallantry, determination, esprit de corps Accomplish mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions Actions set unit apart from and above other units participating in same campaign Single or successive actions covering a relatively short period of time Degree of heroism commensurate with Silver Star ARMY SUPERIOR UNIT AWARD (ASUA) MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION (MUC) Peacetime Award - outstanding performance of difficult and challenging mission Extraordinary circumstances Infrequently awarded to units larger than battalion size May be awarded to units during wartime for actions outside the combat zone Wartime Award - superior performance of exceptionally difficult tasks Actions set unit apart from and above other units with similar missions Degree of service / achievement commensurate with Legion of Merit CONUS-based units not eligible

Streamers CAMPAIGN STREAMERS COMBAT STREAMERS May be awarded by commanders of divisions, corps, or armies if 65% or more of the TOE strength of the unit has been awarded the CIB during military operations For service in IRAQ or AFGHANISTAN, units will receive and display a embroidered streamer. Units participating in these campaigns will receive only one streamer, regardless of the number of deployments. May be awarded by commanders of armies, corps, divisions, or separate brigades when 65% or more of the TOE strength of a medical unit has been awarded the CMB during military operations in war In recognition of deployments to other geographic regions outside of Iraq and Afghanistan, such as Kuwait, Qatar, and the Horn of Africa, units will receive a streamer in the colors of the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. Establishing Campaign Participation Credit. AR 600-8-22, para 7-18. Army units may be awarded campaign credit if they actually engaged the enemy in combat, were deployed in a designated combat zone, or if they performed duties either in the air or on the ground in any part of the combat zone at any time during the designated period of the respective battle, campaign, or expedition. Commanders of battalions, groups, regiments and brigades are authorized to award the combat action streamer when 65% or more of the TOE assigned strength of a unit authorized a color, distinguishing flag, or guidon has been awarded the CAB during military operations in war or in any military action where the CAB is authorized.

Processing Awards Between Branches of Service PEACETIME Award recommendations of the MSM and below to Army personnel permanently assigned to Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and/or Coast Guard commands may be approved by the award approval authority of that Service without seeking Army’s concurrence. Member of the U.S. Armed Forces permanently assigned to Army units may accept Army awards, MSM and below, without seeking concurrence from their service. For service members assigned temporarily between the Services, the other Service may recommend an award by forwarding the recommendation directly to the service member’s permanent command for a action/concurrence. Recommendations for award of the LOM and above will be submitted to the Service member’s service for consideration and processing. Purple Heart and retirement award recommendations on other service members must be submitted in accordance with that Service’s regulations/directives. WARTIME United States Air Force: Approval for any wartime award recommended to an Airman must be obtained through the United States Central Command Air Forces (USCENTAF). United States Navy & Marine Corps: Approval for any wartime award recommended to a Sailor or Marine must be obtained through the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) or the Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC). Approval for an MSM or below can only be awarded if the Sailor is permanently assigned to an Army command. Army must forward a LOR to the Sailor’s parent command for consideration of an award if temporarily assigned. Purple Heart recommendations must be forwarded to the respective Service.

Other Services POC Information PEACETIME WARTIME Commandant United States Marine Corps Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Code: MMMA 3280 Russell Road, Quantico, VA 22134-5103 DSN 278-9342/9343 or (703) 784-9342/9343 FAX DSN 278-9866 or (703) 784-9866 Chief of Naval Operations (N09B13) Navy Pentagon Washington, D.C. 20350-2000 DSN 325-1770 or (202) 685-1771 FAX DSN 325-1761 or (202) 685-1761 Department of the Air Force Headquarters, U.S. Air Force Personnel Center, ATTN: DPPPRA 550 C Street West, Suite 12 Randolph AFB, TX 78150-4712 DSN 665-2516/2520 or (210) 565-2516/2520 FAX DSN 665-3578 or (210) 565-3578 Commander U.S. Marine Force Central Command (ATTN: Adjutant) 7115 South Boundary Boulevard Mac Dill Air Force Base, FL 33608-5101 DSN 651-7031 or (813) 827-7031 FAX DSN 651-7060 or (813) 827-7060 Chief of Naval Operations (DNS-35) 2000 Navy Pentagon Washington, D.C. 20350-2000 DSN 325-1770 or (202) 685-1771 FAX DSN 325-1761 or (202) 685-1761 United States Central Command Air Force Decorations Processing Unit ATTN: UDPU Board Team Shaw Air Force Base, SC 29152-5048 DSN 965-8745/8746 or (803) 895-8745/8746 FAX DSN 965-2242 or (803) 895-22

U.S. Decorations to Foreign Military Personnel U.S. Army badges and tabs to foreign military personnel will be made only with the prior consent of their Government. Badges and tabs not authorized to foreign military personnel are: CMB, EIB, Military Free Fall Parachutist and Special Ops Diver. Awards to foreign military personnel require from 3 to 6 months for complete processing by HQDA. It is DOD policy to recognize individual acts of heroism, extraordinary achievement or meritorious achievement on the part of Service members of friendly foreign nations. Before awarding of the SS, SM, and BSM the approving authority shall coordinate with the appropriate U.S. Embassy to ensure that the decoration is consistent with the overall interest of the U.S. O6 and below may be awarded: Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Soldier’s Medal, BSM, MSM, ARCOM, and AAM. General or Flag rank or O6 holding such positions may be awarded: LM but not the MSM, ARCOM or AAM. The Unified Combatant Commander must request counterintelligence to conduct a records check, review / write award recommendation and citation, biographic file check, and issue a statement of concurrence or non-concurrence.

http://youtu.be/mncAXWYmMXY 24

Learning Objective Action: Review the Awards and Decorations Program Condition: Senior HR Leaders in a classroom environment working individually and as a member of a small group, using doctrinal and administrative publications, practical exercises, case studies, personal experience, handouts, and discussion with an awareness of the Operational Environment (OE) variables and actors. Standard: With a minimum of 70% accuracy, identify award processing guidelines, determine eligibility and approval authorities, verify award submission data, maintain accountability of all award / badge recommendations, complete Part V of the DA Form 638, and advise personnel on awards procedures.