CAIN 2012 - Trendies Panic
 

Humanitarian Service Medal

Criteria: Awarded to any member of the United States military (including Reserve and National Guard members) who distinguish themselves by meritorious participation in specified military acts or operations of a humanitarian nature.The medal is presented either as an individual decoration or as a decoration bestowed upon an entire military unit. The activities to which the Humanitarian Service Medal may be authorized are designated by the United States Department of Defense. Such activities include natural disaster relief, evacuation of non-combatants from a hostile area, or humanitarian support to refugees. The medal may not be awarded for services rendered in domestic disturbances involving law enforcement, equal rights demonstrations, or protection of property. The medal may also not be presented if either the Armed Forces Service Medal or Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal was presented for the same period of service.


Attachments: Bronze Star Device, Silver Star Device, Bronze Numeral (0,1,2,...9) Device.


 

National Defense Service Medal

Criteria: Awarded to anyone who serves on active duty in the United States military during a designated time period. In the fifty years since the creation of the National Defense Service Medal, it has been authorized for the following time periods; June 27, 1950 to July 27, 1954 for service during the Korean War; January 1, 1961 to August 14, 1974 for service during the Vietnam War; August 2, 1990 to November 30, 1995 for service during the Gulf War; September 11, 2001 to a date yet-to-be-determined for service during the War on Terrorism. For service in the Gulf War and War on Terrorism, it is also authorized for members of the military reserve provided they are a “military reservist in good standing.” The National Defense Service Medal is further authorized to students at the service academies, but is not granted to discharged or retired veterans who did not serve in one of the above time periods. The decoration is also not authorized to members of the inactive reserve. The award was intended to be a “blanket campaign medal” issued to any member of the United States military who served in a designated time period of which a “national emergency” had been declared. As of 2005, it is the oldest service medal which is still issued to the active military.


Attachments: Bronze Star Device.

 

Air Force Good Conduct Medal:

Criteria: Awarded to any enlisted member of the United States military (except U.S. Air Force personnel after 2006) who completes three consecutive years of "honorable and faithful service." Such service implies that a standard enlistment was completed without any non-judicial punishments, disciplinary infractions, or court martial offenses. If a service member commits an offense, the three-year mark "resets" and a service member must perform an additional three years of discipline free service before the Good Conduct may be authorized. The Air Force Good Conduct Medal which was authorized by Congress on July 6, 1960, but not created until June 1, 1963. Between 1947 and 1963, Air Force personnel were issued the Army Good Conduct Medal. For those serving both before and after 1963, both the Army and Air Force Good Conduct Medals could be worn simultaneously on an Air Force uniform. The 97th Air Force Uniform Board met in October 2005 and made the decision to discontinue the medal with the rationale that good conduct of Airmen is the expected standard, not an exceptional occurrence worthy of recognition. On 8 February 2006, the Board announced that effective immediately new medals will no longer be issued, but previously awarded medals that are a matter of record may still be worn. Additional decorations of the Air Force Good Conduct Medal are denoted by oak leaf clusters.


Attachments: Bronze Oak Leaf Device, Silver Oak Leaf Device.


 

Air Force Commendation Medal:

Criteria: A mid-level award presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. Awarded by local commanders, allowing for a broad interpretation of the criteria for which the medal may be awarded. For actions where such performance was in direct contact with an enemy force, the Valor device ("V" device) is authorized as an attachment to the decoration. The U.S. Air Force began issuing its own Commendation Medal in 1958 with additional awards denoted by oak leaf clusters.


Attachments: Bronze Oak Leaf Device, Silver Oak Leaf Device, Bronze Letter "V" Device.