Verifying Your Awards in OMPF

Start Here If You Are New to Awards Verification

Your awards rack tells your service story. The story is only as accurate as the records behind it. Before a promotion board, a retirement, a separation, or a major life event tied to military service, every Marine should pull their awards record and verify it matches what they earned.

This page walks you through the verification process from your seat as a General Marine. By the end you will know.

• The three records to check (MBS, OMPF, DD-214)
• What to look for in each (citation, certificate, Page 11, ribbon entry, devices, dates)
• How to submit a verification or correction request to MMPB-31 by award type (Joint, Navy, Army/Air Force/Coast Guard, Foreign, State)
• The retroactive C and R device process for awards from 2016-2018
• The Combat Action Ribbon submission via NAVMC 11533NAVMC 11533
• Where older awards corrections route through SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 Chapter 8 procedures
• How to handle posthumous and veteran-record corrections

Every fact on this page comes from MCO 1650.19JMCO 1650.19J w/ CH 1, SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 Chapter 1 and Chapter 8, MARADMIN 077/25MARADMIN 077/25, MARADMIN 093/25MARADMIN 093/25, MARADMIN 015/20MARADMIN 015/20, ALNAV 055/17ALNAV 055/17, MARADMIN 665/17MARADMIN 665/17, and current MMPB-31 verification submission guidance.

The Three Records to Check

Marines have three records reflecting awards. All three should agree.

Master Brief Sheet (MBS)

The MBS is your operating record. Pull through Marine Online (MOL).

• Lists every ribbon, medal, and badge by code
• Shows star, oak leaf cluster, and device indicators (V/C/R, gold/silver stars)
• Reflects qualifying period dates
• Updates within a few weeks of an award entering MCTFS through the Unit Diary

A Note on the Reporting Unit

Throughout this page and the rest of the awards content on this site, "reporting unit" is the umbrella term for who handles the actual entry into the Marine's record. Two pipelines exist.

• I&I (Inspector-Instructor) S-1s on the Reserve component side often have direct UD/MIPS access. The I&I S-1 enters the data into the Marine's record through UD/MIPS itself.
• Battalion S-1s and similar active-duty unit-level S-1s typically do not have direct UD/MIPS write access. They route the administrative entry to their PAC (Personnel Administrative Center) for the actual UD/MIPS transaction.

The "reporting unit" term covers both pipelines. When a verification flow says "submitted to the reporting unit for entry," the Marine works through their unit S-1 who then handles the entry directly (I&I) or routes to the PAC (battalion-level active duty). The endpoint is the same: the entry posts to MCTFS through UD/MIPS.

Official Military Personnel File (OMPF)

The OMPF is your permanent personnel record. Pull through the Online Records Management Application (O-RMA) per MCO P1070.12MCO P1070.12 (the IRAM).

• Citations and certificates for every PMD
• Award Recommendation Forms
• Page 11 entries documenting awards
• Personnel Casualty Reports for Purple Hearts
• Joint, foreign, and cross-service award documentation when applicable

The OMPF lives at the Marine Corps for life. After retirement, the OMPF transfers to the National Personnel Records Center.

DD-214 (At Separation)

The DD-214 generates from MCTFS at the start of terminal leave per MARADMIN 093/25MARADMIN 093/25 paragraph 7.a. The awards section reflects every award in MCTFS at that point.

For active-duty Marines, the DD-214 has not yet generated. Verify the MBS instead.

What to Verify in Each Record

A complete awards verification covers four checks per award.

Check 1. The Award Is Listed

Each award you have earned should appear on the MBS by code. Compare against your service history (deployments, sea time, named operations, formal recognition events).

Cross-reference with your awards rack at home. Marines often spot a missing award when they wear their Blues for a formal event and notice a ribbon they earned that does not appear on the rack the unit S-1 prepared for them.

Check 2. The Date Is Correct

Each award entry has a date of action. The date should match.

• The qualifying period end date for sustained-service awards (NAM, NC, MSM)
• The act date for valor awards
• The qualifying operation period for CE&S awards
• The PCR date for the Purple Heart
• The presentation date is sometimes different from the action date. The action date is what matters for record purposes.

Check 3. The Devices Are Correct

Devices and stars matter on the rack and in the record.

• Star indicators for subsequent awards (5/16-inch gold or bronze, with silver replacing five)
• Oak leaf clusters on joint awards
• V, C, or R device on awards eligible per ALNAV 055/17ALNAV 055/17
• Service stars on CE&S awards covering multiple qualifying periods

Check 4. The Citation and Certificate Are in OMPF

For every PMD, the citation and certificate should be in your OMPF. If only the MCTFS code shows but the citation is missing from O-RMA, the documentation has not been uploaded properly.

Submitting a Verification or Correction Request to MMPB-31

Per MMPB-31 guidance, awards verification and correction requests follow specific submission requirements by award type. All submissions go to MMPB-31 via email as a single, good-quality PDF document.

Joint Awards Verification

Email to MMPB-31 a single, good-quality, read-only PDF document with copies of the following items.

• "Permanent" or "Special" order, endorsement, or memorandum from the Joint Command announcing approval of the award (looks similar to a Joint unit endorsement letter)
• Certificate and citation
• Summary of action / narrative (if available)
• Official records reflecting assignment to a Joint Duty Activity or Joint Task Force Headquarters. Acceptable forms include PCS / PCA Orders, TAD orders (non-DTS), or a memorandum for the record signed by the CO of the Marine's parent command validating Joint assignment.
• If the Joint Award was given under a Joint Exception to Policy (standing or specific), include a copy of the Exception to Policy Letter.

Per SECNAVINST 1650.1JSECNAVINST 1650.1J, when DON personnel serve in a DoD agency or activity, or a Joint Command, recognition by a DoD or Joint award in lieu of a DON award is appropriate. To be eligible for a Joint decoration, the individual must be detailed or assigned to a Joint activity. Proof of assignment (TAD, PCS orders, etc.) is required.

Navy Awards Verification

Email to MMPB-31 a single, good-quality PDF with.

• OPNAV 1650 form
• Citation and certificate
• Summary of action (required for ALL Marine personnel)

If assignment to a Navy command is not reflected in the Marine's chronological record via MCTFS / MOL, provide official records reflecting assignment to a Navy command.

Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard Awards Verification

Email to MMPB-31 a single, good-quality PDF with.

• Official orders assigning the individual to the other service command, with reporting endorsement for at least 180 days
• Award recommendation form with endorsements (DA 638 or local forms)
• Award certificate and citation
• Award summary of action or narrative

Foreign Awards Verification

Email to MMPB-31 a single, good-quality PDF with.

• Foreign Award Verification Request Letter
• Copy of original award certificate, citation, and summary of action
• English translation of award text (if award is not in English)
• Color photo of foreign decoration / ribbon / medal next to a DoD equivalent medal

Department of State Awards Verification

Email to MMPB-31 a single, good-quality PDF with.

• Completed award nomination form (redact to reflect a single recipient)
• Citation or certificate

Submission Email

All MMPB-31 verification submissions route to.

• Email. smb_hqmc_pers_awards@usmc.mil
• Subject line should clearly identify the award type and recipient (e.g., "JOINT AWARD VERIFICATION - SGT SMITH JOHN J - JSCM 2024").

Retroactive C and R Device Requests

Per ALNAV 055/17ALNAV 055/17 paragraph 6 and MARADMIN 665/17MARADMIN 665/17 paragraph 6, retroactive C or R device application requests on awards recognizing acts or services on or after 7 January 2016 follow a specific procedure.

Eligibility

Per MARADMIN 665/17MARADMIN 665/17 paragraph 6.a, retroactive policy is an individual action handled on a case-by-case basis for each individual award.

Per paragraph 6.b, requests for retroactive awarding of the C and R devices must be originated by the operational commander at the time the action took place and processed through the same chain of command in which the original award was, or would have been, processed up to the delegated awarding authority for the C and R devices. Following chain of command approval, requests forward to MMPB-31.

Submission

The Retroactive C and R Device Templates are at the MMPB-31 webpage. Submission goes to smb_hqmc_pers_awards@usmc.mil.

Time Limit

Per ALNAV 055/17ALNAV 055/17 paragraph 6.f and MARADMIN 665/17MARADMIN 665/17 paragraph 6.d, retroactive requests originated and adjudicated by the original awarding authority through 31 December 2018. After 31 December 2018, all retroactive requests adjudicate at HQMC MMPB-31.

Combat Action Ribbon Submission via NAVMC 11533

Per the MMPB-31 webpage and the CAR submission process, NAVMC 11533NAVMC 11533 is the controlling template for CAR nominations.

Required Documentation

• NAVMC 11533NAVMC 11533 (CAR template)
• Detailed Summary of Action describing the engagement
• Eyewitness statements (typically two minimum)
• Deployment orders to the named operation during the qualifying period
• Operational records (after-action reports, SIGACTs, patrol reports) supporting the engagement

Routing by Time Period

The CAR routes through the operational chain in place at the time of the action. The Combat Action Ribbon page on this site covers the full time-period-based routing structure (MARCENT, MARFORSOC, HQMC).

Template Location

NAVMC 11533NAVMC 11533 is at the MMPB-31 webpage. The page also has the Combat Action Ribbon submission instructions.

Older Awards Corrections (Outside Standard Window)

Per SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 Chapter 8, awards corrections outside the standard administrative correction window route through Chapter 8 procedures.

For Veterans

Per SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 paragraph 8.1.a, veterans (or the next-of-kin of deceased veterans) obtain a listing of all military awards by completing Standard Form (SF) 180 and sending it to the address on the SF-180. The SF-180 is at https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/standard-form-180.html.

In Section II Item 1, check "Other" and enter "Request listing of all awards to which entitled."

Per paragraph 8.1.b, if the official record substantiates entitlement to U.S. military unit decorations or CE&S awards not previously issued, those awards mail to the requester. If the review identifies any personal decorations not previously presented, the Marine Corps arranges an appropriate presentation ceremony per Chapter 2.

Per paragraph 8.1.c, the U.S. Government does not provide medals and ribbons issued by foreign governments. Veterans procure foreign awards from commercial sources.

Veteran IRCM Submission (Marine Security Guards at U.S. Embassies)

Per MARADMIN 692/20MARADMIN 692/20 paragraph 3.b, Marines retired or discharged without further obligated service who are eligible for the IRCM under the MSG embassy detachment criteria (Baghdad or Erbil) submit a request as follows.

• Email. hqmcmmma.awards.veteranrequests@usmc.mil
• USPS. Commandant of the Marine Corps (MMMA), 2008 Elliot Road, Quantico VA 22134-5030
• Fax. (703) 784-9866

Per MARADMIN 692/20MARADMIN 692/20 paragraph 3.b, Marines released from active duty with further obligated service but not in active drill status (e.g., IRR status) submit requests to.

• Marine Corps Individual Reserve Support Activity, 2000 Opelousas Avenue, New Orleans LA 70114.

Replacement Medals

Per SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 paragraph 8.2.a and Section 1135 of Title 10, the Secretary concerned replaces on a one-time basis any military medal or ribbon issued to members of the Armed Forces upon request of the veteran (or the next-of-kin for a deceased veteran).

Replacement requests for Marine Corps awards route through MMPB-31 per MARADMIN 093/25MARADMIN 093/25 paragraph 10.k.

Beyond-Time-Limit PMD Nominations

Per SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 Chapter 8 procedures, PMD nominations originated outside the 3-year origination window (or the 5-year hard cap for delegated approval) require Chapter 8 routing.

Past 5 years total, only Congress through 10 U.S.C. §1130 or the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR) are pathways for consideration.

Mexican Border Defense Medal (MBDM) Verification (MARADMIN 233/26)

Per MARADMIN 233/26MARADMIN 233/26 paragraph 10 (20 May 2026), the MBDM uses a unit-driven verification flow.

Verify in MOL First

Pull your MBS. The MBDM appears in the CE&S section if your unit submitted the qualifying service. The MARADMIN does not issue a certificate or citation, so the MBS entry and the ribbon issue are the verification artifacts.

Entry Code BD

Per MARADMIN 233/26 paragraph 10.c, Local Reporting Units run this award using entry code "BD". If your record does not reflect the MBDM and you believe you qualify, route to your S-1 with the supporting documentation listed in paragraph 10.b.

Supporting Documentation for Verification

Per MARADMIN 233/26 paragraph 10.b, supporting documentation should include.

• Deployment orders.
• TAD or PCS orders.
• Muster rosters.
• Command certification verifying qualifying service dates and location.

Unit Commander Verification

Per MARADMIN 233/26 paragraph 10.a, unit commanders verify qualifying service and ensure submission of appropriate source documentation for service record updates.

Retroactive AFSM-to-MBDM Conversion

Per MARADMIN 233/26 paragraph 10.d, HQMC will provide additional administrative processing guidance for retroactive updates to MCTFS and OMPF for AFSM-to-MBDM conversions. Pending that guidance, work the election through your S-1 with the Page 11 entry per paragraph 6. The Campaign and Service Medals leaf covers the election framework.

Posthumous and Next-of-Kin Verification

Per SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 Appendix 2B paragraph 2B.5.c (Purple Heart) and MCO 3040.4MCO 3040.4 (Casualty Assistance), the next-of-kin of a deceased veteran handle awards verification through.

• SF-180 to the National Personnel Records Center for the listing of awards
• The Casualty Assistance Calls Officer (CACO) for posthumous award presentations
• MMPB-31 for replacement medals and certificate corrections

The CACO assists the family with the verification flow when the deceased Marine's awards record is incomplete.

Common Verification Issues

Missing Award

Most common cause is a unit Diary entry that never went in. Pull deployment orders, fitness reports, and citation documentation. Route through your S-1 to MMPB-3 for the missing entry.

Wrong Date

Most common cause is a typo or a mismatch between the action date and the date entered in MCTFS. Coordinate with your S-1 to confirm the correct date and route a correction.

Missing Devices

V, C, R devices on awards from 2016-2018 sometimes did not transfer correctly when iAPS and MCTFS were updated for the new device codes. Pull the original citation and verify the device-authorization language. Route a correction through MMPB-31 with the citation copy.

Wrong Star Count

Subsequent awards (PMDs, unit awards, CE&S) accumulate stars over time. Verify the total count against your career awards history. Route corrections through your S-1.

Cross-Service Award Not Recorded

Joint, Navy, Army/Air Force/Coast Guard, foreign, and State Department awards routinely require manual MMPB-31 entry because the cross-service flow is not automatic. Use the submission requirements above.

Citation Typos

Per MARADMIN 093/25MARADMIN 093/25 paragraph 10.k, administrative correction templates exist for citation corrections. Route through MMPB-31 with the corrected language.

Common Questions Marines Ask

I am preparing for retirement in 6 months. What should I verify on my awards record?

Pull your MBS through MOL and your OMPF through O-RMA. Verify every PMD has a citation and certificate in OMPF. Verify every CE&S award has the right date and star count. Verify joint, foreign, and cross-service awards are entered. For anything missing or wrong, submit corrections through your S-1 to MMPB-3 or MMPB-31 immediately. Your DD-214 generates from MCTFS at the start of terminal leave, and corrections after that point require DD Form 215DD Form 215 (corrected DD-214 supplement).

I separated 5 years ago. The DD-214 missed an award I was supposed to receive. What is my recourse?

Submit SF-180 to the National Personnel Records Center to obtain your full awards listing. If the award was approved before separation but not on the DD-214, request DD Form 215DD Form 215 through MMPB-31 for the corrected supplement. If the award was never approved, the Chapter 8 procedures or BCNR pathways apply per the time elapsed.

How long does an MMPB-31 verification request take?

Standard MMPB-31 verification turnaround is 60 to 90 days for routine requests. Complex retroactive requests, especially for older actions or cross-service coordination, take longer. Track the request status by emailing smb_hqmc_pers_awards@usmc.mil for an update.

I served on a joint billet 4 years ago and never had the joint award entered. What do I need to send to MMPB-31?

Per the Joint Awards verification submission requirements above, send a single PDF with the joint command's permanent or special order announcing the award, the certificate and citation, the summary of action if available, and your official assignment documentation (PCS / PCA orders, TAD orders, or a memorandum from your parent command validating the joint assignment).

My retroactive C device request was disapproved by my old chain. What now?

Per ALNAV 055/17ALNAV 055/17 paragraph 6, the original awarding authority adjudicates retroactive C and R device requests through 31 December 2018. After that date, the requests adjudicate at MMPB-31. If your request was adjudicated by the original chain and disapproved, the decision typically stands. New evidence not available at the time of the original decision opens a reconsideration pathway per SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 paragraph 1.2.g.

I have a Department of State award from a tour at the State Department. How do I get it on my Marine Corps record?

Per the State Department awards submission requirements above, send a single PDF to MMPB-31 with the completed award nomination form (redacted to reflect a single recipient) and the citation or certificate.

What is the difference between a verification request and a correction request?

Verification confirms the award is on your record. Correction fixes an error in the existing entry. Both route through MMPB-31, but the documentation differs. A verification request typically includes proof of award and proof of service. A correction request includes proof of the error (current incorrect entry plus the correct information).

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 verification. 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. 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. MMPB-31 owns the verification submission requirements above (Joint, Navy, Army/Air Force/Coast Guard, Foreign, State), the retroactive C and R device process, the NAVMC 11533NAVMC 11533 CAR template, and the administrative correction templates 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 1.3, MCO 1650.19JMCO 1650.19J, and earlier MARADMINs). When you see MMMA in those documents, the function continues today under MMPB-3.

For Marine Corps awards verification 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 verification submissions, retroactive C/R device requests, replacement certificates, and CAR templates, route through MMPB-31 channels.

Routing by Issue

• Active duty Marines verifying current awards records. Your S-1 first, then MMPB-3 for service-level verification, then MMPB-31 for cross-service or administrative correction submissions.
• Joint awards verification submission. MMPB-31 with the documentation package listed above.
• Navy awards verification submission. MMPB-31 with the documentation package listed above.
• Army, Air Force, or Coast Guard awards verification submission. MMPB-31 with the documentation package listed above.
• Foreign awards verification submission. MMPB-31 with the documentation package listed above.
• Department of State awards verification submission. MMPB-31 with the documentation package listed above.
• Retroactive C or R device on a 2016-2018 award. Original chain of command first, then MMPB-31 after 31 December 2018.
• Combat Action Ribbon submission. NAVMC 11533NAVMC 11533 template plus operational records. Routes through the time-period-based authority on the Combat Action Ribbon page (MARCENT, MARFORSOC, or HQMC).
• Replacement medal sets. MMPB-31 via your S-1, citing Section 1135 of Title 10.
• Veteran awards verification. SF-180 to the National Personnel Records Center.
• DD-214 corrections after separation. DD Form 215DD Form 215 through MMPB-31.

Where to Go Next on This Site

• Awards Overview lays out the three categories of awards and the full routing flow.
• Personal Military Decorations covers V, C, R devices and the retroactive process.
• Combat Action Ribbon covers the time-period-based CAR routing.
• Foreign Awards covers the foreign award acceptance flow.
• Joint Service Awards covers the joint award processing including the JMUA assignment-by-orders rule.
• PCS and Awards Timing covers verification timing during career moves.
• Retirement Awards and DD-214 covers verification timing leading up to separation.

Related Roles

• Leaders coach Marines on the importance of verification before promotion boards, retirement, and separation, and surface missing awards to the S-1 for resolution.
• Admin at S-1 owns the routine verification flow, builds the MMPB-31 submission packages for cross-service awards, and routes corrections through the appropriate office.
• Commanders endorse correction requests routed through their level, oversee subordinate units' awards records integrity, and ensure end-of-tour and retirement awards land in MCTFS before key transition dates.

The awards record is your service story. Verify the story is accurate before you sign your DD-214 or step before a promotion board. The MMPB-31 process gives you the path to fix anything that does not match.