Regimental Combat and Service Medal Recommendation Policy
| This is the Document Release Information | |
| Article Number: | 7CAV-POL-012 |
| Scope: | Regimental Combat and Service Medal Recommendation Policy |
| Version: | Version 1.0 |
| Effective Date: | 15NOV20 |
| Last Modified Date: | 25SEP23 |
| Approving Authority: | Regimental Commanding Officer |
| Point of Contact: | Regimental Chief of Staff |
Intent
The intent behind this directive is to declare that every Combat and Service Medal is maintained and adhered to under a unified Regimental directive. This Regimental Medal Recommendation Policy is the official directive on writing a Combat or Service Medal based upon the Awards and Decorations Document
Preamble
- Write up a medal recommendation for each individual trooper. One citation for all troopers is prohibited.
- Use only the provided templates individually (below).
- In the header for the medal recommendation you should have a picture of the medal, the name of the medal and the full rank, first name and last name of the trooper that is linked to the trooper's MILPACS, and optionally adding that it’s a recommendation and not a reward. The header and recommendation must be centered.
- The recommendation section of each medal must be adhered to for approval.
- Recommendations should be as detailed as possible and without spelling or grammatical errors.
- To reduce exceedingly large citations, a Justification section will be required and if the citation exceeds roughly 1,500 characters in length, it may have to be shortened by an S1 Clerk for it to fit.
- A Justification section is to be included with each medal recommendation in further elaboration of what happened to aid the approval authority in reviewing the recommendation.
Authority on Combat Medal Recommendations
All medal recommendations must be produced by an individual who is of a higher billet and witnessed the event themselves. S3 mission makers and temporarily made operation titles and/or billets do not supersede primary 7th Cavalry Regiment billeting. It is the responsibility of the Operation Commander to make sure all medal recommendations are being adhered to by the author of the medal, accounted for, and produced by their authors within one week of the AAR posting.
Troopers of a lower billet may recommend their superiors for Combat Medals under the following conditions:
- The trooper making the recommendation must obtain 3 independent statements from three separate people who witnessed the act or event for which is the inspiration of the award recommendation.
- The Operation Commander must be willing to sign off on the recommendation, and accept the consequences should a recommendation turn out to be fraudulent.
Another Trooper may post a medal recommendation on behalf of someone else who is of a lesser grade or billet under the following conditions:
- They credit in the Justification portion the original author of the recommendation linking their MILPAC and declaring that they have signed off on the recommendation.
- The Trooper posting the recommendation is to make sure to adjust the recommendation, if needed, to meet and maintain the current standards for that recommendations criteria.
- The Trooper posting the recommendation takes full responsibility for the recommendation regardless of the outcome or if the recommendation should turn out to be fraudulent.
Operation Citations
ARCOM (without Valor attachment)
Awarded for distinguished contributions to any area of the Regiment. Awarded for skillful or heroic actions over an entire operation where there was no one specific instance of heroism or skill.
Rank First Last
For (skillful/heroic) actions over an entire operation while serving as (combat element) in the 7th Cavalry Regiment during combat in operation (Fill in operation title here) near (some town, some map) on (Day Month Year). (In this section, describe how the trooper demonstrated exceptional skill/heroism over the entire duration of the operation in a minimum of three, professionally written sentences containing the explanation leading up to the events, the events themselves, and the outcome of the events.) (Full Rank First Name Last Name)'s (skillful/heroic) actions reflect great credit upon themselves and the 7th Cavalry Gaming Regiment.
Justification:
- In multiple sentences, further elaborate the situation
- In multiple sentences, further elaborate the action of the medal
- In multiple sentences, elaborate why this medal should be awarded
ARCOM (with Valor attachment)
Awarded for a single act of heroism or skill under fire.
Rank First Last
For a single act of heroism and skill under enemy fire while serving as (combat element) in the 7th Cavalry Regiment during combat in operation (Fill in operation title here) near (some town, some map) on (Day Month Year). (In this section, describe how the trooper demonstrated heroism and skill in a single act during the operation in a minimum of three, professionally written sentences containing the explanation leading up to the event, the event itself, and the outcome of the event.) (Full Rank First Name Last Name)'s heroism and skill reflect great credit upon themselves and the 7th Cavalry Gaming Regiment.
Justification:
- In multiple sentences, further elaborate the situation
- In multiple sentences, further elaborate the action of the medal
- In multiple sentences, elaborate why this medal should be awarded
Army Air Medal
Awarded to any member of an aircrew (including pilots) for skillful or heroic actions over the entire operation where there was no one specific instance of heroism and the trooper's contribution was critical to the successful outcome of the operation. This award is the aviation equivalent to the Bronze Star without a valor device. The recipient must have survived to be eligible to receive this award.
Rank First Last
For (skillful/heroic) actions over an entire operation while serving as (Air Crew specific combat element) in the 7th Cavalry Regiment during combat in operation (Fill in operation title here) near (some town, some map) on (Day Month Year). (In this section, describe how the trooper demonstrated exceptional skill/heroism over the entire duration of the operation that was critical to the successful outcome in a minimum of three, professionally written sentences containing the explanation leading up to the events, the events themselves, and the outcome of the events.) (Full Rank First Name Last Name)'s (skillful/heroic) actions reflect great credit upon themselves and the 7th Cavalry Gaming Regiment.
Justification:
- In multiple sentences, further elaborate the situation
- In multiple sentences, further elaborate the action of the medal
- In multiple sentences, further elaborate how this medal was critical to the successful outcome of the operation
- In multiple sentences, elaborate why this medal should be awarded and that they survived
Purple Heart
Awarded for a single act demonstrating extraordinary heroism and skill while under enemy fire, where the recipient was killed undertaking the act. This is awarded for actions that, should the recipient have survived, would have been awarded a bronze star or above.
Rank First Last
For a single act demonstrating extraordinary heroism and skill under enemy fire while serving as (combat element) in the 7th Cavalry Regiment during combat in operation (Fill in operation title here) near (some town, some map) on (Day Month Year). (In this section, describe how the trooper demonstrated extraordinary heroism in a single act duration of the operation in a minimum of three, professionally written sentences containing the explanation leading up to the event, the event itself, and the outcome of the event.) (Full Rank First Name Last Name)'s skills and heroic actions reflect great credit upon themselves and the 7th Cavalry Gaming Regiment.
Justification:
- In multiple sentences, further elaborate the situation
- In multiple sentences, further elaborate the action of the medal
- In multiple sentences, elaborate why this medal should be awarded
- In multiple sentences, elaborate the manner in which they died
Bronze Star Medal (without Valor attachment)
Awarded for skillful or heroic actions over the entire operation where there was no one specific instance of heroism and the trooper's contribution was critical to the successful outcome of the operation.
Rank First Last
For (skillful/heroic) actions over an entire operation while serving as (combat element) in the 7th Cavalry Regiment during combat in operation (Fill in operation title here) near (some town, some map) on (Day Month Year). (In this section, describe how the trooper demonstrated exceptional skill/heroism over the entire duration of the operation that was critical to the successful outcome in a minimum of three, professionally written sentences containing the explanation leading up to the events, the events themselves, and the outcome of the events.) (Full Rank First Name Last Name)'s (skillful/heroic) actions reflect great credit upon themselves and the 7th Cavalry Gaming Regiment.
Justification:
- In multiple sentences, further elaborate the situation
- In multiple sentences, further elaborate the action of the medal
- In multiple sentences, further elaborate how this medal was critical to the successful outcome of the operation
- In multiple sentences, elaborate why this medal should be awarded and that they survived
Bronze Star Medal (with Valor attachment)
Bronze Star w/Valor is awarded for a single act demonstrating extraordinary heroism and skill while under enemy fire. The recipient must have survived to be eligible to receive this award.
Rank First Last
For a single act demonstrating extraordinary heroism and skill under enemy fire while serving as (combat element) in the 7th Cavalry Regiment during combat in operation (Fill in operation title here) near (some town, some map) on (Day Month Year). (In this section, describe how the trooper demonstrated extraordinary heroism in a single act during the operation in a minimum of three, professionally written sentences containing the explanation leading up to the event, the event itself, and the outcome of the event.) (Full Rank First Name Last Name)'s skills and heroic actions reflect great credit upon themselves and the 7th Cavalry Gaming Regiment.
Justification:
- In multiple sentences, further elaborate the situation
- In multiple sentences, further elaborate the action of the medal
- In multiple sentences, further elaborate how this medal was critical to the successful outcome of the operation
- In multiple sentences, elaborate why this medal is superior in grade to an Army Commendation with Valor
- In multiple sentences, elaborate why this medal should be awarded and that they survived
Distinguished Flying Cross
Awarded to pilots for a single act demonstrating extraordinary heroism and skill while under enemy fire. This award is the aviation equivalent of the Bronze Star with valor device. Air crew are not eligible for this award and pilots must have their flight wings. The recipient must have survived to be eligible to receive this award.
Rank First Last
For a single act demonstrating extraordinary heroism and skill under enemy fire while serving as a (combat element) pilot in the 7th Cavalry Regiment during combat in operation (Fill in operation title here) near (some town, some map) on (Day Month Year). (In this section, describe how the trooper demonstrated extraordinary heroism in a single act duration of the operation in a minimum of three, professionally written sentences containing the explanation leading up to the event, the event itself, and the outcome of the event.) (Full Rank First Name Last Name)'s skills and heroic actions reflect great credit upon themselves and the 7th Cavalry Gaming Regiment.
Justification:
- In multiple sentences, further elaborate the situation
- In multiple sentences, further elaborate the action of the medal
- In multiple sentences, further elaborate how this medal was critical to the successful outcome of the operation
- In multiple sentences, elaborate why this medal is superior in grade to an Army Air Medal
- In multiple sentences, elaborate why this medal should be awarded and that they survived
Silver Star
Awarded for actions demonstrating extraordinary heroism and skill, including leadership under fire and which were critical to the successful outcome of the mission. The recipient must have survived to be eligible to receive this award.
Rank First Last
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity under direct enemy fire while serving as (combat element) in the 7th Cavalry Regiment during combat in operation (Fill in operation title here) near (some town, some map) on (Day Month Year). (In this section, describe how the trooper demonstrated extraordinary heroism and skill/Leadership under fire in the operation in a minimum of four, professionally written sentences containing the explanation leading up to the event, two sentences of the event itself, and the outcome of the event and mission.) (Full Rank First Name Last Name)'s heroism, skill and devotion to duty reflects great credit upon themselves and the 7th Cavalry Gaming Regiment.
Justification:
- In multiple sentences, further elaborate the situation
- In multiple sentences, further elaborate the action of the medal
- In multiple sentences, further elaborate how this medal was critical to the successful outcome of the operation
- In multiple sentences, elaborate why this medal is superior in grade to a Bronze Star with Valor
- In multiple sentences, elaborate why this medal should be awarded and that they survived
Distinguished Service Cross
Awarded for actions, or a single act, demonstrating extraordinary heroism and skill under fire, which were unquestionably responsible for the successful outcome of the mission against a live enemy(non-Cav) force including internal player versus player matches. The recipient must have survived to be eligible to receive this award.
Rank First Last
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity under direct enemy fire while serving as (combat element) in the 7th Cavalry Regiment during combat in operation (Fill in operation title here) near (some town, some map) on (Day Month Year). (In this section, describe how the trooper demonstrated extraordinary heroism and skill/Leadership under fire in the operation in a minimum of five, professionally written sentences containing the explanation leading up to the event, two sentences of the event itself, two sentences about the outcome of the event.) (Full Rank First Name Last Name)'s heroism, skill and devotion to duty reflects great credit upon themselves and the 7th Cavalry Gaming Regiment.
Justification:
- In multiple sentences, further elaborate the situation
- In multiple sentences, further elaborate the action of the medal
- In multiple sentences, further elaborate how this medal was critical to the successful outcome of the operation
- In multiple sentences, elaborate why this medal is superior in grade to a Bronze Star with Valor
- In multiple sentences, elaborate why this medal should be awarded and that they survived
- In multiple sentences, elaborate the live enemy(non-Cav) force including internal player versus player match
Authority on Service Medal Recommendations
All medal recommendations must be produced by an individual who is of a higher rank or billet in and witnessed the event themselves. It is the responsibility of the leadership above the recommendation to make sure the recommendation is being adhered to, accounted for, and produced directly by the author of the medal.
Another Trooper may post a medal recommendation on behalf of someone else who is of a lesser grade or billet under the following conditions:
- They credit in the Justification portion the original author of the recommendation linking their MILPAC and declaring that they have signed off on the recommendation.
- The Trooper posting the recommendation is to make sure to adjust the recommendation, if needed, to meet and maintain the current standards for that recommendations criteria.
- The Trooper posting the recommendation takes full responsibility for the recommendation regardless of the outcome or if the recommendation should turn out to be fraudulent.
Non-Statutory Service Citations
Humanitarian Service Medal
Awarded to any 7th Cavalry member that helped or aided a fellow member financially, physically, mentally, emotionally, or through games and/or computer parts.
Rank First Last
For providing aid to (Trooper Name). (Full Rank First Name Last name) distinguished themselves by (In this section describe how they providing help or aid in a minimum of two, professionally written sentences). (Full Rank First Name Last Name)'s dedication to duty and commitment is in great credit to themselves, (Trooper Name), and the 7th Cavalry Gaming Regiment.
Justification:
- Further elaborate on their help or aid to a fellow Trooper
- Specify how this benefits the receiving Trooper
Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Awarded to members of the 7th Cavalry that provide outstanding service to a non-combat department to which they are not assigned.
Rank First Last
For providing outstanding service to (non-combat department). (Full Rank First Name Last name) distinguished themselves by (In this section describe their contributions in a minimum of two, professionally written sentences). (Full Rank First Name Last Name)'s dedication to duty and commitment is in great credit to themselves, (non-combat department) and the 7th Cavalry Gaming Regiment.
Justification:
- Further elaborate on their outstanding service to a non-combat element
- Specify that they were not assigned to the non-combat element
Army Achievement
Awarded for contributions to any area of the Cav. Also awarded for Trooper and Department Clerk of the Quarter. (Note: Awards for Trooper/Clerk of the quarter must be submitted by the 7th of the following quarter.)
Rank First Last
For contributions in (affected area of the Cav). (Full Rank First Name Last name) distinguished themselves by (In this section describe their contributions in a minimum of three, professionally written sentences). (Full Rank First Name Last Name)'s dedication to duty and commitment is in great credit to themselves, (affected area of the Cav) and the 7th Cavalry Gaming Regiment.
Justification:
- In multiple sentences further elaborate on their contributions to the Regiment
- (In multiple sentences elaborate why they have been chosen as Trooper of the Quarter/Department Clerk of the Quarter)
- In multiple sentences elaborate on why the award is justifiable
Joint Service Achievement Medal
For technical assistance, or assistance of a non-combat nature to an allied Unit.
Rank First Last
For (technical assistance/assistance of a non-combat nature) to (unit). (Full Rank First Name Last Name) distinguished themselves by (In this section describe their technical assistance/assistance of a non-combat nature in a minimum of three, professionally written sentences). (Full Rank First Name Last Name)’s dedication to duty and commitment to the Regiment is in great credit to themselves and the 7th Cavalry Gaming Regiment.
Justification:
- In multiple sentences further elaborate on their (technical assistance/assistance of a non-combat nature) to an allied Unit
- In multiple sentences elaborate on why the award is justifiable
- In multiple sentences further elaborate about the allied Unit
Army Commendation Medal
Awarded for distinguished contributions to any area of the Regiment. Awarded for skillful or heroic actions over an entire operation where there was no one specific instance of heroism or skill.
Rank First Last
For distinguished contributions to (unit). (Full Rank First Name Last Name) distinguished themselves by (In this section describe their distinguished contributions in a minimum of three, professionally written sentences). (Full Rank First Name Last Name)’s dedication to duty and commitment to the Regiment is in great credit to themselves, (unit) and the 7th Cavalry Gaming Regiment.
Justification:
- In multiple sentences further elaborate on their distinguished contributions to unit
- In multiple sentences elaborate on why the award is justifiable
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Awarded to members of a company whose actions or contributions have directly benefited the troopers of another Company. Is recommended by the benefited Company Staff.
Rank First Last
For (Actions/contributions) to (company) as a member of (company). (Full Rank First Name Last Name) (distinguished/contributed) themselves by (In this section describe how the individual demonstrated their actions/contributions in a minimum of three, professionally written sentences). (Full Rank First Name Last Name)'s dedication to duty and (actions/contributions) are great credit to themselves and the 7th Cavalry Gaming Regiment.
Justification:
- In multiple sentences further elaborate on their contributions to a company
- In multiple sentences elaborate on why the award is justifiable
- Clarify that this is being recommended by the benefited Company Staff
Meritorious Service Medal
Awarded to any member for exceptional service or contributions that significantly impact the health and morale of the unit in a positive manner. Can only be awarded once per person, in any six-month period.
Rank First Last
For (exceptionally meritorious service/contributions) to (unit). (Full Rank First Name Last Name) (distinguished/contributed) themselves by (In this section describe how the individual demonstrated their meritorious service/contributions in a minimum of three, professionally written sentences). (Full Rank First Name Last Name)'s dedication to duty and (exceptionally meritorious service/contributions) are in great credit to themself and the 7th Cavalry Gaming Regiment.
Justification:
- In multiple sentences further elaborate on their exceptional meritorious service/contributions to a unit
- In multiple sentences elaborate on why the award is justifiable
- In multiple sentences elaborate how the health and morale of the unit were significantly impacted in a positive manner
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Awarded for a single, significant and distinguished contribution to a secondary department by any member, whether serving in a secondary billet or not.
Rank First Last
For a single, significant, and distinguished contribution to (secondary billet). (Full Rank First Name Last Name) distinguished themselves by (In this section describe how the individual demonstrated their single, significant, and distinguished contribution in a minimum of three, professionally written sentences). (Full Rank First Name Last Name)'s distinguished contribution is in great credit to themselves, the (secondary billet), and the 7th Cavalry Gaming Regiment.
Justification:
- In multiple sentences further elaborate on their exceptional meritorious contribution to a support element
- In multiple sentences elaborate on why the award is justifiable
- In multiple sentences elaborate whether they were serving in the element or not
Soldier’s Medal
Awarded for calling a Garry Owen on behalf of the 7th Cavalry or for taking the initiative to make important decisions and/or execute plans on behalf of the Regiment that were approved belatedly and that had a significant positive outcome for the Regiment as a whole.
Rank First Last
For (calling a Garry Owen on behalf of the 7th Cavalry/taking the initiative to make important decisions/execute plans on behalf of the Regiment) during (Day Month Year). (Full Rank First Name Last name) distinguished themselves by (In this section describe how the individual demonstrated their service in a minimum of three, professionally written sentences). (Full Rank First Name Last Name)'s distinguished service is in great credit to themselves and the 7th Cavalry Gaming Regiment as a whole.
Justification:
- In multiple sentences elaborate the event into further detail
- In multiple sentences elaborate that this was approved belatedly
- In multiple sentences elaborate how this had significant positive outcome for the Regiment as a whole
Legion of Merit
Awarded to members for exceptional service in a secondary billet. Can only be awarded once per person, per year. Does not apply to secondary leadership billets.
Rank First Last
For exceptional service in a secondary billet while serving as (role and secondary billet) during (Month Year to Month Year). (Full Rank First Name Last name) distinguished themselves by (In this section describe how the individual demonstrated their exceptional service in a minimum of three, professionally written sentences). (Full Rank First Name Last Name)'s dedication to duty and commitment to their department is in great credit to themselves, the (secondary billet) and the 7th Cavalry Gaming Regiment.
Justification:
- In multiple sentences further elaborate on their exceptional service in support of their Secondary Billet
- In multiple sentences elaborate on why the award is justifiable
- Provide detailed examples of their exceptional service
- Specify how this does not apply to secondary leadership billets
Defense Superior Service Medal
Awarded to officers and non-commissioned officers for exceptionally meritorious leadership of a secondary billet over the course of one year. Applies to sub-department NCOICs and Leads also. Can also be awarded for meritorious service to the Regiment in leadership in operations over a year. Can only be awarded once per person, per year.
Rank First Last
For exceptionally meritorious leadership of (a secondary billet/operations) while serving as (role and secondary billet) during (Month Year to Month Year). (Full Rank First Name Last Name) distinguished themselves by (In this section describe how the individual demonstrated their exceptionally meritorious leadership in a minimum of four, professionally written sentences). (Full Rank First Name Last Name)'s exceptionally meritorious leadership is in great credit to themselves, the (secondary billet/Operations AO), and the 7th Cavalry Gaming Regiment.
Justification:
- In multiple sentences further elaborate on their meritorious leadership over the course of the previous year
- (For operations awarding, specify details about operation leadership instead of first bullet point here)
- In multiple sentences elaborate on why the award is justifiable
- Provide detailed examples of when their leadership has been exemplary and how they are committed to their troopers
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Awarded for distinguished service in a primary billet by any member. Can only be awarded once per person, per year. Does not apply to primary leadership billets.
Rank First Last
For distinguished service in a primary billet while serving as (role and element) during (Month Year to Month Year). (Full Rank First Name Last Name) distinguished themselves by (In this section describe how the individual demonstrated their distinguished service in a minimum of four, professionally written sentences). (Full Rank First Name Last Name)'s distinguished service and commitment is a great credit to themselves, (element), and the 7th Cavalry Gaming Regiment.
Justification:
- In multiple sentences further elaborate on their service
- In multiple sentences elaborate on why the award is justifiable
- Specify how this does not apply to primary billet leadership
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Awarded to officers and non-commissioned officers for exceptionally meritorious leadership of a primary billet over the course of one year, or being selected as Non-Commissioned Officer or Officer of the Year.
Rank First Last
For exceptionally meritorious leadership of a primary billet while serving as (role and element) during (Month Year to Month Year). (Full Rank First Name Last Name) distinguished themselves by (In this section describe how the individual demonstrated their distinguished service in a minimum of four, professionally written sentences). (Full Rank First Name Last Name)'s exemplary leadership demonstrates their commitment to their troopers and reflects great credit upon themselves, (element), and the 7th Cavalry Gaming Regiment.
Justification:
- In multiple sentences further elaborate on their service over the course of the previous year
- In multiple sentences elaborate on why the award is justifiable
- Provide detailed examples of when their leadership has been exemplary and how they are committed to their troopers