Foreign Awards

Start Here If You Are New to Foreign Awards

You served alongside a foreign military unit. They want to recognize you with one of their decorations. A general from a partner nation pulls you aside and pins a ribbon on your chest. Now you wonder whether you are allowed to wear it, who has to approve it, and whether you have to give it back.

The Constitution and federal law tightly govern foreign awards. The Marine Corps is the office of record for any foreign award offered to a Marine. This page walks you through the foreign awards rules from your seat as a General Marine. By the end you will know.

• Why foreign awards are restricted (the constitutional baseline and 5 U.S.C. Section 7342)
• The hard rule against requesting or encouraging foreign awards
• How acceptance, retention, and wear work for foreign personal decorations
• The narrow conditions under which you wear an approved foreign decoration
• How foreign unit awards and foreign CE&S medals work (mostly: you do not wear them)
• The UN and NATO award process
• What to do at a presentation ceremony before approval has come through

Every fact on this page comes from SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 Chapter 7, 5 U.S.C. Section 7342 (the Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act), SECNAVINST 1650.1JSECNAVINST 1650.1J, MCO 1650.19JMCO 1650.19J w/ CH 1, MARADMIN 398/10MARADMIN 398/10 (covering reverse-direction DON awards to foreign personnel), and current MMPB-3 Military Awards Section guidance.

Why Foreign Awards Are Tightly Controlled

Per Article I, Section 9 of the U.S. Constitution, no person holding any office of profit or trust under the United States shall, without the consent of Congress, accept any present, emolument, office, or title of any kind whatever from any king, prince, or foreign state.

Per SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 paragraph 7.1.a, Congress sanctioned acceptance of foreign gifts and awards under limited circumstances through 5 U.S.C. Section 7342, subject to the approval of the recipient's employing agency. For Navy and Marine Corps personnel, the employing agency is the Department of the Navy. Translation. You are allowed to accept a foreign award, but only with explicit approval from CNO (DNS-35) for Navy or CMC for Marine Corps.

Without that approval, per paragraph 7.2.a, the decoration becomes the property of the United States and is deposited with the Navy or Marine Corps for use or disposal. The Marine Corps does not let you keep an unapproved foreign award.

The Hard Rule Against Requesting

Per SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 paragraph 7.1.c, no member of the Navy or Marine Corps is allowed to request or otherwise encourage the offer of a decoration from a foreign government or entity. This rule is firm. Marines who hint, suggest, or maneuver to receive a foreign award are violating policy.

The flow has to be one direction. The foreign government or entity decides on its own to recognize a Marine, makes the offer, and then the Marine works through the U.S. system to determine whether to accept.

What Counts as a Foreign Award

Per SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 paragraph 7.1.b, regardless of what the issuing foreign nation or entity calls the award, the final determination as to whether it is a military decoration is made by SECDEF, SECNAV, or CNO/CMC, depending on the level and type of award. The U.S. side decides the category, not the foreign nation. A foreign nation is allowed to call something a "medal" while the U.S. classifies it as a personal gift, or vice versa.

Three categories matter for Marines.

• Foreign Personal Decorations. Awards given to an individual Marine for individual service. Approval flows through CNO (DNS-35) or CMC (MMPB-3, historically MMMA).
• Foreign Unit Awards. Awards given to a Marine unit for collective service. Approval flows through SECNAV.
• Foreign CE&S Medals. Foreign service or campaign medals given for participation in operations. Generally not permitted, with narrow SECDEF-approved exceptions.

Foreign Personal Decorations

The Approval Standard

Per SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 paragraph 7.2.a, foreign personal decorations are allowed to be accepted, retained, and worn only upon explicit written approval by CNO (DNS-35) or CMC. Approval is contingent upon a determination that the decoration has been tendered in recognition of.

• Active field service in connection with combat operations, or
• Outstanding or unusually meritorious performance.

Awards offered for routine service, ceremonial recognition, or political reasons typically do not meet the standard.

What Happens at the Presentation Ceremony

Per SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 paragraph 7.2.b, the Marine has a defined path when a foreign nation tenders an award and presence is desired at a formal presentation ceremony. The Marine is allowed to participate in the ceremony and physically receive the award. The receipt of a foreign award under these circumstances does not constitute acceptance of the award.

Translation. Show up to the ceremony. Take the award when handed to you. Salute and shake hands. The award is not formally yours until CMC approves the request.

The Approval Request Package

Per SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 paragraph 7.2.c, immediately upon presentation, or upon being notified of the award, the Marine submits a request for approval to accept, retain, and wear the award to CMC (MMPB-3) using the contact information in Chapter 1. The request contains at a minimum.

1. Awardee's full name, grade, social security number, current unit, and brief description of the duty assignment during the period being recognized.
2. Title of the decoration, the foreign nation or entity offering it, name and title of the person making the presentation, and the date and place of presentation.
3. A statement of the service for which the decoration is being offered. This is analogous to the summary of action narrative and citation. Enclose a copy of the citation with an English translation. If no citation was issued, indicate this in the request.
4. For Marine Corps personnel, a color photograph of the award on a neutral background next to a DON or DoD award for reference.

The request routes through the Marine's chain of command to CMC (MMPB-3). The S-1 builds the package and tracks the request through approval.

Wear Restrictions

Per SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 paragraph 7.2.d, even an approved foreign decoration has narrow wear conditions. The decoration is allowed to be worn only when.

• Attending a public function of the issuing foreign nation or entity
• While in the residence of a public official or other distinguished citizen of that foreign nation
• While attending a function in honor of such individuals or their nation
• When attending an event where dignitaries from various foreign nations are present (in which case the Marine wears all approved foreign decorations)

In every other context, the foreign decoration stays off the uniform. Day-to-day Service A wear, formal Marine Corps ceremonies that do not involve foreign dignitaries, change of command ceremonies inside the command, and similar do not authorize wear.

Procurement of the Award

Per SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 paragraph 7.1.d, the U.S. Government does not procure or issue foreign decorations, medals, and ribbons. Either the proffering foreign government provides the award, or the Marine procures it from commercial sources at their own expense.

Practical note. Some foreign governments provide a single medal at the presentation ceremony with no replacement availability. Marines who damage or lose the award and want to wear it again typically have to source a replica from commercial vendors specializing in foreign military decorations.

Foreign Unit Awards

Per SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 paragraph 7.3, unit awards tendered by friendly foreign nations to units of the Navy or Marine Corps are not allowed to be accepted, retained, or worn unless approved by SECNAV. The same procedures in paragraph 7.2 apply. CMC forwards the package to SECNAV for final approval.

Marines assigned to a unit at the time of a qualifying period for a foreign unit award are eligible to wear the unit ribbon if SECNAV approves. The unit award attaches to the unit, but every Marine assigned during the qualifying period wears it on their rack.

The reality. Foreign unit awards are rare and approval at the SECNAV level is slow. Most foreign-military partnerships do not result in formal unit awards.

Foreign Campaign and Service Awards

Per SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 paragraph 7.4, as a general policy, DoD does not permit U.S. military personnel to accept service medals from foreign governments. The narrow exceptions, which require SECDEF approval, are listed in DoD-level references.

Translation. Most foreign campaign and service medals (e.g., a foreign Iraq medal, a foreign Afghanistan medal, a foreign-government participation medal for a coalition operation) are not permitted on a Marine's uniform. The Marine is allowed to physically receive the medal at a presentation, but the medal does not transfer to the awards rack.

Specific exceptions exist. The Saudi Arabian Kuwait Liberation Medal and Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm were SECDEF-approved. Some specific NATO and UN medals (covered below) fall into a similar approved-by-policy bucket.

UN and NATO Awards

Per SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 paragraph 7.5, UN and NATO awards have a slightly different process than typical foreign awards.

Personal Decorations

Per paragraph 7.5.a, for any personal decoration (such as a NATO Meritorious Service Medal), the same procedures as paragraph 7.2 apply. The Marine submits the request to CMC (MMPB-3), CMC routes through approval, and wear follows the standard restrictions.

Service Medals and Ribbons

Per paragraph 7.5.b, acceptance, retention, and wear of UN or NATO medals or ribbons (other than personal decorations) requires SECDEF approval. UN and NATO medals previously approved by SECDEF are listed at https://prhome.defense.gov/M-RA/Inside-M-RA/MPP/OEPM/.

Common SECDEF-approved UN and NATO medals Marines see.

• NATO Medal (multiple operations, with clasps for specific operations)
• UN Service Medal (specific UN missions)
• ISAF Service Medal (NATO International Security Assistance Force, Afghanistan)

If your service in a UN or NATO operation falls under one of these previously approved medals, the medal posts to your record without a separate per-Marine SECDEF approval. Verify against the SECDEF-approved list before assuming.

Awards in the Reverse Direction

Per MARADMIN 398/10MARADMIN 398/10 paragraph 4 and SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 Chapter 6, the Department of the Navy is allowed to award U.S. military decorations to foreign military personnel. The reverse direction has its own routing.

• All personal awards for foreign military personnel route to SECNAV for final approval through the chain of command.
• SECNAV delegated awarding authority for the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat V (CV) and lesser awards for foreign military personnel to CMC for actions in direct support of OEF and OIF, sub-delegated to Commander, Marine Forces Central Command per MARADMIN 398/10MARADMIN 398/10 paragraph 4.b.
• Background checks via NCIS, DIA, and U.S. Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy of the recipient's home nation are required per MARADMIN 398/10MARADMIN 398/10 paragraph 4.c. Awards for foreign personnel permanently assigned to a U.S. command on official orders do not require the background checks if completed prior to the assignment.

The DIA Military Awards Office handles foreign-recipient background checks at DIA_AWARDS@DIA.MIL or (202) 231-3350. NCIS Code 22 handles the NCIS portion.

This direction matters for commanders nominating foreign liaison officers, partnership-program graduates, and combined-task-force counterparts.

How a Foreign Award Lands in Your Record (Approved Path)

Once CMC (MMPB-3) approves a foreign personal decoration, the award flows into the Marine's records.

OMPF and Page 11

Per MCO 1650.19JMCO 1650.19J w/ CH 1, the approval letter and any citation/translation post to the OMPF through UD/MIPS storage. A Page 11 entry documents the approval and the conditions of wear.

MCTFS

The award shows on the Master Brief Sheet through the Unit Diary entry. The MCTFS code differs from standard DON awards. Verify the entry shows the correct foreign decoration code and date.

DD-214

Per MARADMIN 093/25MARADMIN 093/25, foreign awards approved before the start of terminal leave appear on the DD-214 generated from MCTFS at separation.

Verifying Your Foreign Award in Your Records

If you have received an approved foreign decoration, verify the award reaches your records within 60 days of CMC approval (the timeline is longer than standard DON awards because of the multi-step approval).

Step 1. Pull Your OMPF

Use the Online Records Management Application (O-RMA). Look for.

• The CMC approval letter
• The original foreign citation with English translation
• The color reference photograph submitted with the request
• A Page 11 entry documenting the approval

Step 2. Pull Your Master Brief Sheet (MBS)

Through Marine Online (MOL). Verify.

• The foreign decoration entry with correct date and code
• Star or device indicators if a subsequent award

Step 3. If Anything Is Missing or Wrong

Coordinate with your S-1. The S-1 routes the correction through MMPB-3 because foreign award entries require service-level coordination. Standard administrative correction procedures apply per MCO 1650.19JMCO 1650.19J w/ CH 1.

Common Questions Marines Ask

A foreign general gave me a medal at a partnership ceremony. Do I have to give it back?

Per SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 paragraph 7.2.b, you are allowed to physically receive the award at the ceremony. Receipt at the ceremony does not constitute acceptance. Submit the approval request package to CMC (MMPB-3) immediately. If CMC approves, the award is yours under the wear restrictions in paragraph 7.2.d. If CMC does not approve, the award becomes property of the United States and you turn it in.

I served in NATO ISAF in Afghanistan. Do I get the NATO Medal automatically?

The NATO Medal for ISAF service is a SECDEF-pre-approved medal. If your service falls within a qualifying period and operation, the medal is submitted to the reporting unit for entry into your record (I&I S-1 with direct UD/MIPS access, or a battalion S-1 routing through their PAC). Pull your MBS to verify. If missing, coordinate with your S-1 to confirm the qualifying service and prompt the entry.

Am I allowed to wear an approved foreign decoration on Service A every day?

No. Per paragraph 7.2.d.(2), wear is restricted to specific functions involving the issuing foreign nation or its officials. On a routine duty day in garrison, the foreign decoration stays off the uniform.

A partner-nation officer asked me what foreign award I want for the work we did together. What do I tell them?

Per paragraph 7.1.c, you are not allowed to request or encourage a foreign award. Decline politely and redirect the conversation. The foreign nation makes the decision unilaterally if it wants to recognize you.

I bought a replica of my approved foreign medal online because I lost the original. Is that authorized?

Per paragraph 7.1.d, the U.S. Government does not procure foreign decorations. The proffering foreign government provides the award, or you procure it from commercial sources at your own expense. Replica replacements from reputable commercial vendors are within scope. Verify the replica matches the original specifications listed in the approval letter.

The foreign government issued me a citation in their language. What do I do?

Per paragraph 7.2.c.(3), enclose a copy of the citation with an English translation in your approval request. If no citation was issued, state that in the request. Translation services are typically available through your S-1 or through a unit linguist if your unit has one.

I am part of a unit that received a foreign unit award. Do I wear the ribbon?

Per paragraph 7.3, foreign unit awards require SECNAV approval. If SECNAV approved the unit award and you were assigned to the unit during the qualifying period, you wear the ribbon. Verify SECNAV approval and your assignment dates with your S-1 before adding to your rack.

I separated four years ago and the foreign award I was offered never made it to my record. Is approval still possible?

Per SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 Chapter 8, beyond-time-limit award nominations have specific procedures. Foreign awards add complexity because the offering nation's records and the Marine's service-period documentation both have to be reconstructed. Submit a request through the National Personnel Records Center using SF-180 to confirm the service record, then route the foreign award request through MMPB-3. Approval is rare but the path exists.

Where to Go for Help

A Note on HQMC Awards Office Designations

The Marine Corps reorganized its awards office over time. Three designations show up in policies tied to foreign awards. Get the distinction right so you route requests correctly.

• HQMC Manpower Performance Branch, Military Awards Section (MMPB-3). The current umbrella office handling Marine Corps awards adjudication, policy interpretation, and CMC-level approval routing for foreign decorations. Listed on the Manpower Marines website at https://www.manpower.marines.mil/Divisions/Manpower-Management/Performance-Branch/Military-Awards/.
• HQMC MMPB-31. A sub-element under MMPB-3 specifically handling administrative actions on awards. This includes administrative change requests and replacement certificate procedures referenced in MARADMIN 093/25MARADMIN 093/25 paragraph 10.k. MMPB-31 is NOT the same as MMMA. The two have different functions.
• CMC (MMMA), Military Awards Branch. The historical designation appearing in older policy documents (SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 paragraph 7.2.a, MARADMIN 398/10MARADMIN 398/10, and earlier MARADMINs). When you see MMMA in those documents, the function continues today under MMPB-3. The mailing addresses listed in older documents (2008 Elliot Road, Quantico, VA 22134, or 3280 Russell Road, Quantico, VA 22134-5103) reflect historical MMMA mailing addresses still cited in those policies.

For current Marine Corps foreign awards questions, contact MMPB-3.

• Email. smb_hqmc_pers_awards@usmc.mil
• Phone. 703-784-9342
• Website. https://www.manpower.marines.mil/Divisions/Manpower-Management/Performance-Branch/Military-Awards/

For administrative corrections on foreign award entries, route through MMPB-31 channels per MARADMIN 093/25MARADMIN 093/25.

Routing by Issue

• Foreign personal decoration approval requests. CMC (MMPB-3) via your chain of command.
• Foreign unit award requests. Same package, routed through MMPB-3 to SECNAV.
• UN or NATO personal decorations. CMC (MMPB-3) using paragraph 7.2 procedures.
• UN or NATO service medal verification. SECDEF-approved list at https://prhome.defense.gov/M-RA/Inside-M-RA/MPP/OEPM/.
• DON awards offered to foreign military personnel (reverse direction). Through MARFORCENT for OEF/OIF combat-related awards (per MARADMIN 398/10MARADMIN 398/10 paragraph 4.b), through MMPB-3 to SECNAV for all others.
• DIA background checks for foreign military award recipients. DIA_AWARDS@DIA.MIL or (202) 231-3350.
• NCIS background checks for foreign military award recipients. NCIS Code 22.

Where to Go Next on This Site

• Awards Overview lays out the three categories of awards and where foreign awards fit relative to DON awards.
• Wearing Your Awards covers the precedence rules and the conditions on foreign award placement.
• Verifying Your Awards in OMPF walks through the verification steps in detail.
• Joint Service Awards covers DoD-level joint awards which sometimes overlap with NATO and UN service.

Related Roles

• Leaders coordinate with foreign liaison officers, recognize when foreign award offers are coming, and route Marines to the S-1 for the approval package.
• Admin at S-1 builds the foreign award approval request, tracks the package through MMPB-3, secures English translations of foreign citations, and posts approved foreign awards to OMPF and MCTFS.
• Commanders endorse foreign award approval requests, route forward through MMPB-3, and exercise oversight on the wear restrictions for Marines assigned to their units.

The U.S. Constitution sets the baseline. Foreign nations are sovereign and choose to recognize you on their own terms, but the Department of the Navy decides whether the recognition lands on your uniform. Work the approval path through MMPB-3 and respect the wear restrictions in paragraph 7.2.d.