1. Interior Communications Electrician (IC)
Interior Communications Electricians direct and coordinate the installation, maintenance and repair of
interior communications systems on ships and at shore facilities. These systems include all
communication systems, indicating and navigation systems, visual landing aids for aircraft, alarm, safety,
and warning systems. IC's must be U.S. citizens eligible for security clearances.
Navy Unit Commendation (NU)
Established by order of the Secretary of the Navy, 18 December 1944, it is awarded by the Secretary to
any ship, aircraft, detachment, or other unit of the naval service of the United States Navy which has,
subsequent to 6 December 1941, distinguished itself by outstanding heroism in action against the
enemy, but not sufficient to justify award of the Presidential Unit Citation.
CRITERIA:
Unit heroism lesser than that required of a Presidential Unit Citation or non-combat service which was
outstanding when compared to other units or organizations performing similar service
Southwest Asia Service Medal (SA)
BACKGROUND:
a. In October 1990, the Deputy Director of Personnel and Administrative Services, Office of the Secretary
of Defense (OSD), requested that The Institute of Heraldry provide proposed designs of a service medal
for Southwest Asia. Proposed medal designs were forwarded to OSD on 30 October 1990. A proposed
Executive Order to authorize the service medal was staffed to the Services, by OSD, on 11 February
1991. President Bush established the Southwest Asia Service Medal by Executive Order 12754, dated 12
March 1991.
b. The medal selected was designed by Miss Nadine Russell and recognizes the joint-service nature of
the operation. It depicts a tank, armored personnel carrier, helicopter, ship and aircraft with a desert
and seascape. The reverse side symbolized military might and preparedness in defense of peace. The
sand colored ribbon with red, white, blue, green and black stripes represented the colors of the United
States and the coalition members.
c. Bronze stars are worn on the ribbon to indicate campaign participation by the service member. Three

2. campaigns have been designated - - "DEFENSE OF SAUDI ARABIA" for the period 2 August 1990 through
16 January 1991, "LIBERATION AND DEFENSE OF KUWAIT" for the period 17 January 1991 through 11
April 1991, and "SOUTHWEST ASIA CEASE- FIRE" for the period 12 April 1991 through 30 November
1995.
d. The criteria/policy for the Southwest Asia Service Medal was promulgated by Change No. 1 to DOD
1348-33-M, dated 14 June 1991. This manual established the two campaigns for Southwest Asia. The
Joint Chiefs of Staff approved a termination date for the second campaign and established the third
campaign per memorandum, dated 3 December 1991, from the Director, Joint Staff, subject:
Termination Date for the Second Campaign and Establishment of a Third Campaign for the Southwest
Asia Service Medal.
CRITERIA:
a. Individuals authorized the Southwest Asia Service Medal must have served in support of Operation
Desert Shield or Desert Storm, in one or more of the following areas, between 2 August 1990 and 30
November 1995: Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, that portion of the Arabian Sea that
lies north of 10 degrees North latitude and west of 68 degrees East longitude, as well as the total land
areas of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Individuals
serving in Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Syria and Jordan (including the airspace and territorial waters) directly
supporting combat operations between 17 January 1991 and 11 April 1991 are also eligible for this
award.
b. To be eligible for the award, a service member must be: attached to or regularly serving for one or
more days with an organization participating in ground/shore military operations; attached to or
regularly serving for one or more days aboard a naval vessel directly supporting military operations;
actually participating as a crew member in one or more aerial flights directly supporting military
operations in the areas designated; or serving on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60
nonconsecutive days, except, if a waiver is authorized for personnel participating in actual combat.
National Defense Service Medal (ND)
BACKGROUND:
a. The National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) was established by President Eisenhower per Executive
Order 10448, dated 22 April 1953, for service between 27 June 1950 and a date to be announced. On 17
June 1954, the Chief of Staff approved establishment of 27 July 1954 as the termination date for award
of the NDSM. Executive Order 11265, dated 11 January 1966, amended Executive Order 10488, to
include a termination date and authorized the Secretary of Defense to establish periods of eligibility
subsequent to 31 December 1960. Eligibility for award, commencing with the period after 31 December
1960, was established by DOD Directive 1348.7, dated 1 April 1966, and terminated effective 15 August

3. 1974, per letter from Manpower and Reserve Affairs, subject: Termination of Eligibility for the National
Defense Service Medal, dated 30 June 1974. The NDSM was again authorized by memorandum, dated
20 February 1991, from Secretary of Defense Cheney for active service on or after 2 August 1990 with
no termination date established. The termination date was later established as 30 November 1995. The
NDSM was reinstated by memorandum from The Deputy Secretary of Defense, dated 26 April 2002,
from 11 September 2001 to a termination date to be determined in the future.
b. The Heraldic Division, Quartermaster General’s Office, was requested to provide proposed designs for
the NDSM and designs created by Mr. T. H. Jones were submitted to the G1 on 26 May 1953. A
committee appointed by DOD, which included representatives of all services, met on 27 May 1953 and 3
June 1953 and selected the design for final approval. The eagle, our National emblem, together with the
shield of the Coat of Arms of the United States is used to symbolize the defense of the United States.
The combination of oak and palm leaves signify strength and preparedness.
CRITERIA:
a. The National Defense Service Medal was awarded for honorable active service for any period
between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954; between 1 January 1961 and 14 August 1974; between 2
August 1990 and 30 November 1995 and between 11 September 2001 and a closing date to be
determined. For the purpose of the award, the following persons will not be considered as performing
active service:
(1) Guard and Reserve forces personnel on short tours of duty to fulfill training obligations under an
inactive duty training program.
(2) Any person on active duty for the sole purpose of undergoing a physical examination.
(3) Any person on temporary active duty to serve on boards, courts, commissions and like organizations
or on active duty for purposes other than extended active duty.
(4) A one time only exception, for members of the Army National Guard and United States Army
Reserve, who were part of the selected reserve in good standing, was authorized, per executive orders
12778, dated 18 October 1991, for the period 2 August 1990 to 30 November 1995.
b. The National Defense Service Medal may be awarded to members of the Reserve Components who
are ordered to Federal active duty, regardless of duration, except for the categories listed above. Any
member of the Guard or Reserve who, after 31 December 1960, becomes eligible for the Armed Forces
Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal or the Southwest Asia Service Medal is also eligible for the
National Defense Service Medal.
c. To signify receipt of a second or subsequent award of the NDSM, a bronze service star will be worn on
the service ribbon by U.S. Army personnel so qualified. Second or third award of the NDSM is authorized
for soldiers who served in one or more of the four qualifying time periods. It is not authorized for
soldiers who met the criteria in one time period, left active duty and returned during the same period of
eligibility.
d. Cadets of the U.S. Military Academy are eligible for the NDSM, during any of the inclusive periods

4. listed above, upon completion of the swearing-in ceremonies as a cadet.
e. The NDSM may be issued posthumously.
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) (KL)
BACKGROUND:
The Kuwait Liberation Medal granted by decree of the King of Saudi Arabia, dated 23-10-1411H, was
accepted by the Deputy Secretary of Defense per memorandum dated 7 October 1991, subject:
Acceptance of Foreign Award in Recognition of Active Field Service in Time of Combat Operations.
CRITERIA:
a. Members of the Armed Forces of the United States must have served in support of Operation Desert
Storm between 17 January 1991 and 28 February 1991 in one of the following areas: Persian Gulf; Red
Sea; Gulf of Oman; that portion of the Arabian Sea that lies north of 10 degrees North latitude and west
of 68 degrees East longitude; the Gulf of Aden; or the total land areas of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia,
Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
b. To be eligible, a Service member must have been:
(1) attached to or regularly serving for one or more days with an organization participating in
ground/shore operations;
(2) attached to or regularly serving for one or more days aboard a naval vessel directly supporting
military operations.
(3) actually participating as a crew member in one or more aerial flights supporting military operations
in the areas designated above; or
(4) serving on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days during this period. This time limitation may be
waived for people participating in actual combat operations.

5. Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AE)
BACKGROUND:
a. During the late 1950’s, it became apparent that a medal was needed to recognize the services of the
Armed Forces who participated in the increased involvement of the American military in peacekeeping
activities. As a result, President Kennedy established the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, per
Executive Order 10977, dated 4 December 1961, for operations on or after 1 July 1958.
b. In a memorandum dated 20 December 1961, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense requested
that The Institute of Heraldry submit proposed designs as soon as possible. Proposed designs were
submitted on 25 January 1962 and a design, created by Mr. Jay Morris, was tentatively selected. The
design was submitted to the Commission of Fine Arts for comments prior to approval by the Deputy
Secretary of Defense on 24 April 1962.
c. The selected design uses the eagle to represent the strength of our Armed Forces, and the sword,
loose in its scabbard, denotes the readiness to serve wherever needed, as further suggested by the
compass rose.
d. At the present time, JCS has designated 22 operations for which the Armed Forces Expeditionary
Medal may be awarded. A bronze service star is worn to denote second and subsequent awards of the
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. Each Service may authorize the use of campaign streamers for
operations in the designated areas. The Army has authorized campaign credit and display of streamers
for three areas: Grenada, Panama and the Dominican Republic. The Air Force has authorized display of
streamers for all 22 operations. The Navy authorizes display of three silver stars and four bronze stars on
the streamer representing 19 operations.
CRITERIA:
a. The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal may be awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the
United States who after 1 July 1958 participate as members of U.S. military units in a U.S. military
operation in which service members of any Military Department participate, in the opinion of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff (JCS), in significant numbers and encounter during such participation foreign armed
opposition, or are otherwise place in such a position that in the opinion of the JCS, hostile action by
foreign armed forces was imminent even though it does not materialize.
b. The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal may be authorized for three categories of operations: U.S.
military operations; U.S. military operations in direct support of the United Nations; and U.S. operations
of assistance to friendly foreign nations.
c. The medal shall be awarded only for operations for which no other U.S. campaign medal is approved.

6. Navy E Ribbon (NE)
BACKGROUND:
A Secretary of the Navy recommendation in June of 1976 established this award to replace the Battle
Efficiency Award (the letter "E") which had been worn sewn to the sleeve of the uniform. It is authorized
to be worn by all crew members of ships and aviation squadrons winning the fleet-wide eighteen month
competitive cycle which has exercises testing all phases of battle readiness. The Battle Efficiency Award,
called the Navy Battle "E", in addition to the ribbon, consists of a cloth insignia and a battle pennant to
be displayed by the ship or unit winning the award.
CRITERIA:
The Navy "E" Ribbon denotes permanent duty on ships or in squadrons that won the battle efficiency
competition after July 1, 1974. This ribbon replaces the "E" patch previously sewn on the right sleeve of
the uniform.
Army Service Ribbon (ASR)
The Army Service Ribbon (ASR) is a military award of the United States Army that was established by
the Secretary of the Army on 10 April 1981 as announced in Department of the Army General Order 15,
dated 10 October 1990.[1]
Effective 1 August 1981, all members of the Army, Army National Guard, and United States Army
Reserve in an active reserve status were eligible for the award. The Army Service Ribbon is awarded to
members of the Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard for successful completion of initial-entry
training, which for officers is considered to be successful completion of their basic/orientation or higher
level course. Enlisted soldiers will be awarded the ribbon upon successful completion of their initial MOS
producing course.[2]
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (SD)
BACKGROUND:
The Sea Service Deployment Ribbon is a decoration of the United States Navy which was established in
May 1980 and retroactively authorized to August 1974.

7. The Sea Service Deployment Ribbon is granted to any member of the U.S. Navy or United States Marine
Corps assigned to a deployable unit (e.g. a ship, aircraft squadron, detachment, battalion, or other unit
type that operates away from its assigned homeport) and is forward-deployed for a period of either 90
consecutive days or two periods of at least 80 days each within a given 12-month period.
When a ship's crew qualifies for the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the ship is authorized to paint and
display the ribbon and award stars on the port and starboard side of the bulwark aft to designate the
number of deployments conducted throughout the commissioned life of the ship.
This is one of few Naval service awards that has no corresponding medal.
CRITERIA:
1) General. Awarded to officer and enlisted personnel of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Each
service has distinct criteria that delineates eligibility; Navy personnel assigned to Marine Corps units
follow Marine Corps policy, and vice versa.
(2) Specific
(a) For Navy and Marine Corps personnel assigned to U.S. (including Hawaii and Alaska) homeported
ships/deploying units or Fleet Marine Force (FMF) commands, 12-months accumulated sea duty or duty
with FMF which includes at least one 90- consecutive day deployment. A standard 14-day waiver of the
12- month accumulated sea duty/duty with FMF is authorized as long as the 90-consecutive day
deployment requirement is met. The 12-month accumulated sea duty requirement is waived for those
Navy and Marine personnel who were called to sea duty or deployed for Operations DESERT SHIELD or
DESERT STORM (during the period 2 Aug 90 - 31 Dec 91) to qualify for this initial award. This waiver does
not affect second and subsequent awards of this ribbon. Second and subsequent awards will be earned
for each additional 12-months of qualifying service in which a 90- consecutive day deployment occurs.
(b) For Navy and Marine Corps personnel assigned to overseas homeported ships/deploying units or
FMF commands, SECNAVINST 1650.1G 12-months accumulated sea duty or duty with the FMF. For
those in this category, the 90-day deployment is not required. Second and subsequent awards will be
earned for each additional 12- month period of qualifying service. In addition, for Navy units only, the
SSDR does not conflict with the Overseas Service Ribbon after 01 October 1999.
(c) Changes to deployment patterns to meet operational commitments within fiscal constraints have
resulted in the reduction of some service force ships deployment lengths to less than 90 days with an
increase in the frequency of deployments. Consequently and effective 18 October 1991, the awarding of
the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon to members of units that complete two deployments of at least 80
days each within a given 12-month period is authorized. This change is not retroactive.
(d) The Sea Service Deployment Ribbon will be awarded retroactive to 15 August 1974. Only one award
may be earned for the period 15 August 1974 to 1 January 1979 regardless of the number of years of sea
duty or number of deployments made.
(e) No subsequent changes to the SSDR requirements are retroactive to meet individual eligibility.

8. Meritorious Unit Commendation (MU)
BACKGROUND:
Established by order of the Secretary of the Navy, 17 July 1967, it is awarded by the Secretary to any
unit of the Navy or Marine Corps which has distinguished itself under combat or noncombat conditions,
by either valorous or meritorious achievement compared to other units performing similar service, but
not sufficient to justify the award of the Navy Unit Commendation.
CRITERIA:
unit must have performed service of a character comparable to that which would merit the award of a
Bronze Star Medal, or achievement of like caliber in a non-combat situation, to an individual.
Joint Meritorious Unit Award (JU)
BACKGROUND:
The Joint Meritorious Unit Award was established by Department of Defense Directive 1348.27 dated
July 22, 1982. Requirements for award of the Joint Meritorious Unit Award are contained in DOD
Manual 1348.33-M.
CRITERIA:
The Joint Meritorious Unit Award is awarded to Joint Activities of the Armed Forces of the United States
which have subsequent to January 23, 1979 distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious
achievement or service in pursuit of joint military missions of great significance.