The Achievement Medal – Army

The Achievement Medal - Army. Obverse.

Time Period: Post-WW2
Institution: 1981
Country: United States

The Achievement Medal is a military decoration of the United States Armed Forces. It was first proposed as a means to recognize the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel who were not eligible to receive the higher Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service Medal. Award authority rests with local commanders, granting a broad discretion of when and for what action the Achievement Medal may be awarded.

Each military service issues its own version of the Achievement Medal, with a fifth version authorized by the U.S. Department of Defense for joint military activity.

The Achievement Medal Eligibility

Eligibility criteria for the Achievement Medal – Army (AM-Army) typically include:

Service: Recipients must be serving in the United States Army, including active duty, reserve, and National Guard components.
Meritorious Service: The medal is awarded for meritorious service or achievement, which may include performance of duties at a level above what is normally expected, completion of a special project or assignment, or significant contributions to the mission of the Army.
Non-Combat Role: The Achievement Medal is typically awarded for achievements or contributions in non-combat roles. It is not awarded for acts of valor or combat-related actions, which would be recognized by higher awards such as the Bronze Star Medal or the Silver Star Medal.
Recommendation: Nominations for the Achievement Medal are usually submitted by the individual’s chain of command, with justification for the award based on specific accomplishments and contributions to the Army’s mission.
Approval: The final approval for the award of the Achievement Medal is typically granted by the individual’s commanding officer or higher authority within the chain of command.

The Achievement Medal Design

The following devices may be authorized to be worn on the following achievement medals suspension ribbon and service ribbon:

All Achievement Medals, “C” device, which signifies meritorious performance “under combat conditions”, after January 2016
Army Achievement Medal, for additional awards – oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal, for additional awards – oak leaf clusters
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, for additional awards – 5/16 inch stars
Coast Guard Achievement Medal, for additional awards – 5/16 inch stars
Joint Service Achievement Medal (all service branches), for additional awards – oak leaf clusters
Coast Guard Achievement Medal – Operational Distinguishing Device (“O” device)
Coast Guard Achievement Medal – Combat Distinguishing Device (Combat “V”)