Are Unit Awards only awarded for combat service?

2023-05-08T09:59:47-04:00

It says on HRC website that "U.S. unit decorations, in order of precedence, have been established to recognize outstanding heroism or exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services. Awards are made to organizations when the heroism displayed or meritorious service performed is a result of group effort. A unit award is given to an operating unit and is worn by members of that unit who participated in the cited action. Personnel who did not participate in the cited action, but who are assigned to the cited unit, are authorized temporary wear of some unit awards. All unit awards approved at HQDA will be announced and confirmed in Headquarters, Department of the Army General Orders (AGO). During wartime, commanders authorized to approve unit awards will announce awards in permanent orders of their headquarters and forward a copy of each order to Commander, USAHRC, ATTN: AHRC–PDP-A, Dept 480, Fort Knox, KY 40122-5408. A copy of the permanent orders will be sent to the U.S. Army Center of Military History, ATTN: DAMH–FPO, 103 Third Avenue, Fort McNair, DC 20319–5058. Permanent Orders published to announce the award of a unit decoration will contain the citation of the award, official designation of the unit or units, and inclusive dates. These awards will be confirmed in AGO." It doesn't mention if it has to be a deployed unit. I was just curious for my knowledge. PFC Private RallyPoint Member SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL LTC Stephen F. CPL Dave Hoover SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth SSG Private RallyPoint Member MSG Private RallyPoint Member Lt Col Charlie Brown LTC Private RallyPoint Member

Response by COL Randall C. made May 8 at 2023 10:41 AM

2023-05-08T10:41:41-04:00

No, there have been numerous unit awards given for service during the Cold War and other non-combat operations and many "non-deployable" units (JCS, Defense Colleges, etc.) have been given awards.

There ARE some that are limited to combat actions (i.e., Presidential Unit Citation), but many do not have that restriction.

For example, the criteria under which a Joint Meritorious Unit can be awarded are:
(a) During action in combat with an armed enemy of the United States;
(b) In a declared national emergency situation;
(c) Under extraordinary circumstances that involve national interests.
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* https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodm/134833_vol3.PDF
* https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodm/134833_vol4.PDF

134833_vol3.PDF

Response by COL Randall C. made May 8 at 2023 1:15 PM

2023-05-08T13:15:20-04:00

As a side note, it does behoove Servicemembers to check the unit award pages every now and then to see if one of your former units was given an award for a period of service while you were assigned there.

DoD's Office of the Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness - https://prhome.defense.gov/M-RA/Inside-M-RA/MPP/OEPM/ (scroll to the bottom under "Military Decorations and Awards")

Army Unit Award Info page - https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/Unit%20Award%20Info
Navy/Marines - All unit awards info is online through the BUPERS OnLine (BOL) NDAWS application under the "Search Awards" tab.
Air Force - Go to myPers and search "Unit Awards Database" to check your unit.

Officer and Enlisted Personnel Management

The official website for the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness

Response by SFC Jeremy Boyd made May 8 at 2023 7:42 PM

2023-05-08T19:42:34-04:00

Most of my permanent unit awards were awarded for combat service, but both of my Army Superior Unit Awards were from my time in United States Army Recruiting Command. I could be wrong, but I do believe that only the Presidential Unit Citation and the Army Valorous Unit Award require a unit to be performing in combat conditions to merit them. The VUA is the equivalent to an individual earning the Silver Star, and the PUC is the equivalent to an individual earning the Distinguished Service Cross.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2023 2:53 PM

2023-05-09T14:53:32-04:00

The Army Superior Unit Award (ASUA) is a peacetime award given to United States Army units for displaying "outstanding meritorious performance of a difficult and challenging mission carried out under extraordinary circumstances." - Google

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2023 9:46 AM

2023-05-10T09:46:27-04:00

No not only for combat service, but often awarded during overseas operations for expeditions and campaigns for heroism or meritorious conduct they are not limited to that and each unit award has a degree of recognition like medals do.

It's not uncommon for units that perform well but do not see combat to be awarded the Superior Unit Award or the Meritorious Unit Commendation but units that do well in combat conditions might receive the Valorous Unit Award or Presidential Unit Citation.