- Time Period: Post-WW2
- Institution: 1961
- 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 Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (NAM), is the United States Navy and U.S. Marine Corps’ version of the Achievement Medal. The U.S. Navy was the first branch of the U.S. Armed Forces to award such a medal, doing so in 1961, when it was dubbed the “Secretary of the Navy Commendation for Achievement Medal”. This title was shortened in 1967 to simply, the “Navy Achievement Medal”. On 19 August 1994, to recognize those of the United States Marine Corps who had received the Navy Achievement Medal, the name of the decoration was officially changed to the “Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal”. The award is referred to in shorthand speech as a “NAM”.
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”)
