Military Awards Made Easy: Download AR 600-8-22 PDF
How to Download AR 600-8-22 PDF: A Guide to Military Awards and Decorations
Introduction
If you are a member of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, or Coast Guard, you may be eligible for various awards and decorations that recognize your military service and personal accomplishments. These awards and decorations are a means to outwardly display the highlights of your service career and honor your achievements.
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But how can you learn more about these awards and decorations, their criteria, procedures, and approval authorities? How can you access the official document that provides the Department of the Army policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning individual military awards?
The answer is AR 600-8-22, also known as Military Awards. This is the Army regulation that covers all aspects of military awards and decorations for Army personnel. It also applies to Reserve Component Soldiers, Army National Guard Soldiers, U.S. Military Academy Cadets, Army Reserve Officers Training Corps Cadets, foreign military personnel, and Department of Defense Civilians.
In this article, we will show you how to download AR 600-8-22 PDF, the official format of the regulation. We will also give you an overview of military awards and decorations, their types, categories, criteria, and procedures. Finally, we will summarize the changes in AR 600-8-22 that have been made since its last major revision in 2019.
Overview of Military Awards and Decorations
What are military awards and decorations?
Military awards and decorations are primarily the medals, service ribbons, and specific badges that recognize military service and personal accomplishments while a member of the U.S. Armed Forces. They are awarded by the President of the United States, the Secretary of Defense, or other authorized officials.
Military awards and decorations can be classified into two types: personal decorations and unit awards. Personal decorations are awarded to individual service members for acts of heroism, meritorious achievement or service, or other distinguished actions. Unit awards are awarded to entire units for exceptionally meritorious or valorous conduct in combat or noncombat situations.
What are the types and categories of military awards and decorations?
There are many types and categories of military awards and decorations that can be earned by service members. Some of them are common to all branches of service, while others are specific to certain branches. Here is a list of some of the most common types and categories of military awards and decorations:
Order of merit: These are the highest personal decorations that can be awarded for exceptionally meritorious or distinguished service in a position of great responsibility. Examples include the Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross (Army), the Navy Cross, the Air Force Cross, and the Coast Guard Cross.
Bravery awards: These are personal decorations that can be awarded for conspicuous gallantry or extraordinary heroism in combat or noncombat situations. Examples include the Silver Star Medal, the Soldier's Medal (Army), the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, the Airman's Medal (Air Force), and the Coast Guard Medal.
Distinguished service awards: These are personal decorations that can be awarded for superior or exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility. Examples include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the D istinguished Service Medal (Army), the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, and the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal.
Meritorious service awards: These are personal decorations that can be awarded for outstanding achievement or meritorious service in a noncombat situation. Examples include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (Army), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Coast Guard Commendation Medal.
Commendation awards: These are personal decorations that can be awarded for meritorious achievement or service in a noncombat situation. Examples include the Army Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal, and the Coast Guard Achievement Medal.
Campaign and service medals: These are medals that can be awarded for participation in a specific military campaign, operation, or service. Examples include the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal.
Service ribbons: These are ribbons that can be awarded for various types of service or training. Examples include the Army Service Ribbon, the Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the Air Force Overseas Ribbon, and the Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon.
Badges: These are devices that can be worn on uniforms to indicate special qualifications, skills, or achievements. Examples include the Combat Infantryman Badge (Army), the Naval Aviator Badge (Navy), the Parachutist Badge (Air Force), and the Boat Force Operations Insignia (Coast Guard).
What are the criteria and procedures for awarding military awards and decorations?
The criteria and procedures for awarding military awards and decorations vary depending on the type and category of the award or decoration. Generally, there are four steps involved in the process:
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Nomination: This is when a service member or a unit is recommended for an award or decoration by a superior or a peer. The nomination must include a justification that describes the specific act or service that merits recognition. The nomination must also follow the format and guidelines specified in AR 600-8-22 or other relevant regulations.
Approval: This is when an authorized official reviews and approves or disapproves the nomination based on the established criteria and standards. The approval authority depends on the level and prestige of the award or decoration. For example, the President of the United States is the approval authority for the Medal of Honor, while a battalion commander is the approval authority for an Army Commendation Medal.
Presentation: This is when an approved award or decoration is formally presented to the recipient or their representative. The presentation can be done in a ceremony or in a more informal setting, depending on the circumstances and preferences of the recipient and the presenter. The presentation should follow the protocol and etiquette prescribed in AR 600-8-22 or other relevant regulations.
Documentation: This is when an approved award or decoration is recorded in the recipient's official military records and personnel files. The documentation should include a copy of the award certificate, citation, order, or other supporting documents. The documentation should also follow the format and guidelines specified in AR 600-8-22 or other relevant regulations.
Summary of Changes in AR 600-8-22
What are the major revisions in AR 600-8-22?
The latest major revision of AR 600-8-22 was published on June 25, 2019. It incorporated several changes to reflect current policies and practices regarding military awards and decorations. Some of these changes are:
The addition of new awards and decorations, such as the Army Combat Badge (ACB), the Army Remote Combat Effects Campaign Medal (ARCECM), and the Army Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) with Valor Device.
The revision of existing awards and decorations, such as the Army Achievement Medal (AAM), the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM), and the Army Good Conduct Medal (AGCM).
The clarification of eligibility criteria and approval authorities for various awards and decorations, such as the Combat Action Badge (CAB), the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB), and the Combat Medical Badge (CMB).
The update of administrative procedures and guidelines for nominating, approving, presenting, and documenting awards and decorations, such as the use of electronic forms, digital signatures, and online databases.
What are the administrative revisions in AR 600-8-22?
The latest administrative revision of AR 600-8-22 was published on January 25, 2021. It incorporated minor changes to correct errors and omissions in the previous version. Some of these changes are:
The correction of typographical errors,