Choosing the Right Award

The Personal Decoration Hierarchy

Per MCO 1650.19JMCO 1650.19J Chapter 2 for full criteria, grade ranges, and approval authorities. MCO 1650.19J Ch 2 The table summarizes the working tier most leaders draft against. SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 Chapter 2 and Appendix 2A carry the DON-level PMD criteria with TAB-by-TAB detail per medal (MOH, NX, DSM, SS, LOM, DFC, NM, BSM, MSM, Air Medal, NC, NAM). SECNAV M-1650.1 Ch 2 App 2A Pull the SECNAV TAB for the medal you are drafting against to confirm the substantive criteria match the act.

Match the Act to the Tier

Three diagnostic questions.

1. Is the recognition for a specific act or sustained performance over time?
2. Does the act match the verb in the criteria - achievement, superior, exceptional?
3. Does the Marine's grade sit inside the typical range for the tier?

If the answers point to a higher tier, draft for the higher tier. If the chain downgrades, the chain owns the decision and you walk away with the lower medal still on the Marine's chest.

If you draft to a lower tier when the act warranted a higher one, the chain has nothing to upgrade to and the Marine carries the loss.

Sustained Versus Specific

The criteria words matter.

• "Sustained meritorious service" - longer period, multiple contributions, consistent pattern.
• "Specific achievement" - one event or short period, clear outcome, exceptional act.

A NAM can hold either. A NCM typically holds sustained. A MSM almost always holds sustained.

End-of-Tour Versus Personal

The trigger affects the tier and the timing.

• End-of-tour award. PCS departure triggers the recognition. Cycle closing. Lower grades typically NAM, mid-grades NCM, senior leadership MSM.
• Personal award. Specific act mid-cycle. Sized to the act, not the Marine's tenure.

Below the Medal Threshold

Strong performance not warranting a medal still earns recognition.

• Letter of Appreciation. From a peer organization or external authority for support to that organization.
• Letter of Commendation. From the chain of command for performance falling short of medal criteria.
• Page 11 commendatory entry. Documented in the SRB for promotion board visibility.
• Public recognition at formation, in unit publications, on social media within OPSEC limits.

A Marine performing strongly across a cycle should never go through a cycle with no recognition at all. The recognizing-without-awards approach lives inside the section's regular leadership cadence, not in the formal awards system.

Devices and Subsequent Awards

Per SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 Appendix 2A, devices and subsequent-award markings work as follows.

• 5/16-inch gold star denotes each subsequent award. SECNAV M-1650.1 App 2A
• 5/16-inch silver star replaces five gold stars on the ribbon.
• "V" device for valor. Authorized on awards listed in TAB 13.
• "C" device for meritorious achievement under combat conditions. NOT authorized on the BSM. NOT authorized on the MSM. SECNAV M-1650.1 Tbl 1
• "R" device for performance with direct but remote impact on combat operations. Authorized since 7 January 2016. SECNAV M-1650.1 TAB 16

The MSM sits at equivalent level to the BSM in degree of merit. If the achievement was performed under combat conditions, the BSM is the appropriate award, not the MSM with a "C" device.

Approval Authority Levels

MCO 1650.19JMCO 1650.19J Chapter 2 sets the approval authority for each tier. MCO 1650.19J Ch 2 The authority depends on the award and the act.

Generally.

• NAM. Battalion commander level.
• NCM. Higher in the chain.
• MSM. Higher still.
• BSM and above. General officer or higher.
• Combat awards. Specific authorities per the policy.

Verify the active approval authority before the chain finalizes a non-concurrence.

Pitfalls in Choosing

• Inflating to a tier the act cannot defend. The chain downgrades and the package returns for redraft.
• Deflating because "the chain will not approve a higher tier." Draft to the right tier, let the chain own the decision.
• Mismatched grade and tier. A NAM on a SgtMaj reads as a thin award. A MSM on a junior Sgt reads as a stretched one.
• Forgetting the End-of-Tour MARADMIN guidance during PCS season. PCS season MARADMIN often adjusts approval authorities or processing windows.

Where to Go Next

• Drafting the narrative covers the SAR structure.
• Routing and endorsements covers the chain mechanics for each tier.
• End-of-tour timing covers the PCS window.