Nuke deterrence operations medal criteria approved. Your thoughts?

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 20:15:23 -0400

The medal will be awarded to individuals for their direct support of nuclear deterrence operations.

“This service medal provides a clearly visible way to recognize the dedication and professionalism of our Airmen who are the guardians of our nation’s nuclear deterrence. Because of our success, often times nuclear deterrence operations can be overlooked as a critical function,” said Col. Zannis Pappas, the missile operations career field manager. “The medal acknowledges the special challenges faced by those Airmen charged with supporting the nuclear enterprise and will be a point of pride by all who wear it.”

Service members may be awarded the nuclear deterrence medal if they were assigned, deployed or mobilized to a wing, center or below in support of the nuclear enterprise for 120 consecutive days or 179 nonconsecutive days. Subsequent awards will only be authorized when a permanent change of station to a qualifying unit has occurred.

AF releases criteria for new service medal

Air Force officials released nomination criteria for the new Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal, following Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James’ May 27, 2014, authorization. The medal

Response by PO3 Shaun Taylor made Oct 13 at 2014 1:30 AM

PO3 Shaun Taylor — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 01:30:50 -0400

Is another medal really needed?

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2014 4:15 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 04:15:16 -0400

it almost sounds like they are doing this to makeup for the fact that missileers can not earn Air Medals or Ariel Achievement Medals like the Air Crew. This is just another trinket IMO to make everyone happy like how space operations and cyber warfare have their own wing looking badges.

I am not sure what the benefit is for the officers we don't get promotion points. Although this may help the enlisted MX and the security personnel to get more promotion points because they don't deploy unless they get tapped for some special duty like TCN guarding.

I suppose if this is a carrot to make them appreciated than why not. Be honest that career field has got to be the most boring one you can in the AF. I would rather supervise the gym than be in the missile hole.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2014 8:00 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 20:00:24 -0400

What? Now they're getting a medal cuz they sit in an air-conditioned, non-deploying, non-hazardous duty, hole? They get to go home at the end of their tour underground, right? They're not away from family for extended periods..... If the feces hits the high-speed rotating device they are more protected (in the hole) than anyone around them above ground....and they are gonna give them a medal....

I don't know - I'm sure there's been a lot of thought and discussion regarding the making and awarding of yet another medal - I just don't see it.

Response by SPC David S. made Oct 13 at 2014 8:22 PM

SPC David S. — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 20:22:41 -0400

Just the other day some of these guys were cheating on readiness test and selling drugs. I sure hope a $1.50 medal fixes the problems.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Oct 15 at 2014 7:47 AM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 07:47:55 -0400

how to apply: http://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDODAF-d5b9d9

Oct. 14, 2014: Eligible Airmen may now apply for nuclear deterrence medal

Air Force Personnel Center Public AffairsJOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas – Airmen who meet eligibility criteria may now submit an application for the newly approved Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal, Air Force officials announced.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2014 1:31 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 01:31:43 -0400

It's nice to have some form of recognition to show for the work we do. When one of us Missile Maintainers goes off to PME, we stick out because of two reasons: 1) we don't have an occupational badge above our ribbons, 2) our ribbons only fill up 2 to 4 rows.
We don't deploy but we spend countless hours in BFE prairie lands ensuring the sorties are consantly on alert.
We have been on alert for over 50 years. No down time like flightlines. An exercise is just another day for us, because we never go off alert.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2014 3:39 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 15:39:28 -0500

http://www.afgsc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123430681

SecAF presents first Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medals

Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James presented the Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal for the first time ever to 25 Airmen during Air Force Global Strike Command's 2014 Global Strike Challenge, Nov. 5. James approved the NDOSM in May with the intent of recognizing Air

Response by Spc 1 J W. made Feb 28 at 2015 9:25 AM

Spc 1 J W. — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 09:25:32 -0500

Criteria
The NDOSM may be awarded to Airmen who while assigned, attached, deployed or mobilized to a unit, provided support the Nuclear Enterprise for 120 consecutive or 179 non-consecutive days and one of the following:

Were subject to a nuclear inspection
Performed duties in nuclear operations to include nuclear weapon storage facilities; nuclear command, control and communication; cyber surety; security; safety; transportation; maintenance; facility management and maintenance; explosive ordnance disposal; aircrew certified for support to nuclear operations; weapons loaders; warning and attack assessment; personnel reliability program management; or research, development and acquisition of nuclear systems.

http://www.afpc.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=22157

Hey, the Air Force still has a ribbon for completing basic training.

Factsheets : Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal

Response by MSgt George Maynard made Jan 2 at 2018 3:42 PM

MSgt George Maynard — Tue, 02 Jan 2018 15:42:19 -0500

MSG USAF Ret
I did Operation Plumbbob 1957
https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/the-most-controversial-nuke-program-ever-operation-plumbbob/
Waiting S.1283 - Atomic Veterans Service Medal Act115th Congress (2017-2018) |
Remember us USA ATOMIC VETERANS?
SAC B47’s, B 52s Alert Duties KC 135 Alert Duty, RC 135 D?

The most controversial nuke program ever: Operation Plumbbob

The biggest series of nuclear tests - which also exposed thousands of U.S. soldiers to radiation - finished up this week in 1957

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jun 21 at 2020 11:01 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sun, 21 Jun 2020 11:01:57 -0400

TSgt Joshua Copeland Damn It, No Such Critter for Us Sailors. I was the Off-Line Encryption Operator for "Blind Mans Bluff" at CINCPACFLT. Served on 2 Nuclear Cruisers and was SAS Team (Nuclear Launch Codes) on the First. Oh Well. Probably have been a Pain in the Ass to Add to DD214 20 Plus Years after I Retired.

Response by Cpl Benjamin Long made Jun 21 at 2020 11:44 AM

Cpl Benjamin Long — Sun, 21 Jun 2020 11:44:38 -0400

I don't get the point of this? It seems to be an award that provides incentive to people that support a political ideology... what is next the Green Peace Medal... or the ANTIFA Rioting achievement medal?

Response by SFC Carlos Torres Jr. made Jul 22 at 2020 11:35 PM

SFC Carlos Torres Jr. — Wed, 22 Jul 2020 23:35:09 -0400

What happen to Cold War Nuclear deterrence Medal for the Cold War veteran who really deserve it.