Military Awards and Decorations - Overview

The Purpose of Military Awards
Awards are important symbols of public recognition for rewarding extraordinary heroism, exceptionally meritorious service, or outstanding achievement and other acts or services which are above and beyond that normally expected and which distinguish an individual or unit among those performing similar acts or services.

Servicemembers make many personal and professional sacrifices to ensure the Military accomplishes its missions and is a respected part of our society. Acts of valor, heroism, exceptional service, and outstanding achievement deserve special recognition. The Military awards policy establishes guidance for recognizing individuals and groups.

The Military awards and decorations program fosters morale, incentive, and esprit de corps. People or units who receive awards and decorations under this program must clearly demonstrate sustained and superior performance.

Awards and Officer Promotions
Although the Military Officer Promotions System does not give points for personal military awards and decorations. The performance associated with the awards does have a significant affect on your evaluations and/or selection board decisions.

Army Awards and Enlisted Promotions
The Army Promotion System grants up to 100 promotion points for awards and medals for those soldiers competing for advancement to Sergeant and Staff Sergeant.

Navy Awards and Enlisted Advancements
The Navy Enlisted Advancement System (NEAS) grants promotion points for awards and medals. These points count toward your final multiple score (FMS). For E-4 through E-6 candidates, your FMS is comprised of points earned from your advancement-in-rate examination score, performance evaluations, service in paygrade, awards, and previous examination performances.

The Navy Awards Points
Personal awards range in value from 1 point for a "Letter of Commendation" to 10 points for the "Congressional Medal of Honor." On average, most awards carry a value of 2 to 3 points each. You can earn up to 10 or 12 points (depending on your paygrade) through personal awards.


Marine Corps Awards and Enlisted Promotions
Although the Marine Corps Promotion System does not give points for personal military awards. The performance associated with the awards will have a direct affect on your evaluations and/or selection board decisions.

Coast Guard Awards and Enlisted Advancements
The Coast Guard Enlisted Advancement System grants promotion points for awards and medals. These points count toward your final multiple score (FMS) on the SWE. For E-4 through E-9 candidates, your FMS is comprised of points earned from your advancement-in-rate examination score, performance evaluations, service in paygrade, awards, and previous examination performances.

Awards Breakdown
Awards must be approved by 01 February preceding the May SWE and 01 August preceding the November SWE. Award point(s) for SWE are listed below:

Award Credit	Point
Medal of Honor	10
Gold Lifesaving Medal and those military awards having a higher precedence	6
Bronze Star Medal	5
Purple Heart	4
Meritorious Service Medal	4
Air Medal	4
Silver Lifesaving Medal	4
Commendation Medal from any U.S Armed Forces	3
Achievement Medal from any U. S Armed Forces	2
Combat Action Ribbon	1
Commandant's Letter of Commendation Ribbon	1
Secretary of Transportation Letters of Commendation	1
CG Good Conduct Medal	1
CG Reserve Good Conduct Medal	1

Air Force Awards and Enlisted Advancements

The Air Force Weighted Airman Promotion System (WAPS) grants promotion points for awards and medals. You'll receive up to a maximum of 25 promotion points for receiving the following Military Awards (medals):

• Medal of Honor - 15
• Air Force/Navy Distinguished Cross - 11
• Defense Distinguished Service Medal - 9
• Distinguished Service Medal - 9
• Silver Star - 9
• Legion of Merit - 7
• Defense Superior Service Medal - 7
• Distinguished Flying Cross - 7
• Airman’s/Soldier’s/Navy-Marine Corps/Coast Guard/Bronze Star/Defense Meritorious Service Medals/Meritorious Service Medal - 5
• Purple Heart - 5 Air/Aerial Achievement - 3
• Air Force/Army/Navy/Joint Services/Coast Guard Commendation Medal - 3
• Air Force Recruiting Ribbon - 2
• Air Force/Navy/Coast Guard/Joint Services Achievement Medal - 1