Establishing Authority

The Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy on July 17, 1967. It is awarded in the name of the Secretary of the Navy to units of both the U.S. Navy and United States Marines. The Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ranks below the Navy Unit Commendation. Additional awards are denoted by bronze and silver service stars.

Establishing Authority
The Navy "E" Ribbon was established in July of 1976 by Secretary of the Navy, J. William Middendorf.

Effective Dates
The Navy "E" Ribbon has been in effect from July 1, 1974, to the present.

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.

Order of Precedence
The Navy "E" Ribbon is worn after the Meritorious Unit Commendation and before the Prisoner of War Medal.

Devices
A silver "E" one-eighth of an inch high is authorized for wear on the Navy "E" ribbon for first, second, and third awards.

For four or more awards one wreathed "E" is worn centered on the ribbon bar is authorized.

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.

1. 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.

2. Components: A silver "E" one-eighth of an inch high is authorized for wear on the Navy "E" ribbon for first, second, and third awards. For four or more awards one wreathed "E" is worn centered on the ribbon bar is authorized.

3. 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.

Authorization

The NGCM was established by SECNAV on 26 April 1869 to recognize the “all-around” good Navy enlisted person, well qualified in all phases of conduct and performance. Effective 1 February 1971, commanding officers were delegated authority to award the NGCM and certificates. The CNO has review authority over the GCM and designates specific criteria for the award.

Eligibility Requirements
Service

After 1 November 1963 any 4 years of continuous active service as an enlisted person in the Regular Navy or Naval Reserve. Per NAVADMIN 305/95, After 1 January 1996, the qualifying period of eligibility is 3 years vice 4 years for service terminating after that date. For first enlistments this requirement may be fulfilled by:
1. Continuous active service during a minority enlistment provided the member concerned served on active duty to the day preceding his/her 21st birthday even though he/she extended the enlistment and remained on active duty; or
2. Continuous active service during a minority enlistment provided the member concerned served on active duty within 3 months of the day preceding his/her 21st birthday; or
3. Continuous active service during a first enlistment for 4 years from which the member concerned has been discharged or released to inactive duty within 3 months of the date of expiration of enlistment. (This does not apply to those members who are discharged for the purpose of immediate reenlistment.)

4. Per NAVADMIN 320/95, any continuous 3 years or more of qualifying service ending on or after 1 January 1996 warrants entitlement to subject medals. Retroactive computation or other changes to existing criteria is not authorized. (Ex: An individual with 3 years 11 months of qualifying service would be eligible to receive the award on 1 January 1996 and again 1 January 1999 if qualifications are met. However, an individual with 2 years 6 months of qualifying service on 1 January 1996, would not eligible for the award until a full 3 years of service has been completed on 1 July 1996.) Additionally, this change does not affect the requirements for service stripes.

Conduct

Within the required period of active service, the individual must have a clear record (no convictions by courts-martial, no non-judicial punishments (NJP), no lost time by reason of sickness-misconduct, no civil convictions for offenses involving moral turpitude).

a. If confinement as result of conviction by any courts-martial (general, special or summary) is involved, a new 3-year period shall begin with date of restoration to duty on a probationary basis. If confinement is not included in approved sentence of the courts-martial, a new 3-year period shall begin with date of convening authority action.

b. If the service record contains an NJP, a new 3-year period shall begin with the date following the date of the offense. However, when the date of the offense cannot be determined, the new 3-year period shall begin with the date following the NJP.

c. If convicted by civil authorities for an offense involving moral turpitude, a new 3-year period shall begin with date of return to active duty status. d. If the record contains a disqualifying mark which is not the result of an NJP, the new 3-year period shall begin with the next date following the date of the mark.

Performance marks required during period of eligibility.

Subsequent to 1 January 1996, no mark below 2.0 in any trait. Between to 31 August 1983 and 31 December 1995 no mark below 3.0 in Military Knowledge/Performance, Rating Knowledge/Performance, Reliability, Military Bearing, Personal Behavior and Directing.

Prior to 31 August 1983...

a. E-4 and below. No mark below 3.0 in any trait.

b. E-5 and E-6. No Mark below EEL (Typically Effective-Lower) in Directing, Individual Productivity, Reliability or Conduct.

c. E-7 to E-9. No Mark below the bottom 50 percent in Performance, Reliability, Conduct or Directing. If an individual receives a disqualifying trait mark, a new period of eligibility would begin on the day following the ending date of the performance evaluation report which contains the disqualifying trait mark.

Subsequent to 17 May 1974, for the first award only, the Good Conduct Medal may be awarded in the following cases provided conduct and performance requirements are met:

(a) For those individuals who are killed in combat action against an opposing armed force, or die as a direct result of wounds received in combat action against an opposing armed force, the award may be presented posthumously to the next of kin.

(b) For those individuals who are separated from the naval service for physical disability as a result of wounds incurred in combat action against an opposing armed force, or in the line of duty where such wounds were directly related to action against the enemy.

(c) For those individuals who die while in a Prisoner of War (POW) status, the NGCM may be presented post­humously to the next of kin, provided it has been determined that conduct while in a POW status was acceptable.

A certificate shall be prepared for each award. The member’s rate, name, branch of service and number of the award shall be centered in the appropriate spaces. The ending date of the period of service for which the award was earned shall be centered after “Awarded for service completed on.” The command­ ing officer’s name, rank and branch of service shall be typed above “Commanding Officer” and his/her signature affixed.

Attachments. A bronze star, 3/16 inch in diameter will be worn on the suspension ribbon and bar to denote subsequent awards.

NOTES

1. For personnel who are serving in a first enlistment of 3 years and who have met the eligibility requirements except for length of service, the NGCM may be presented 3 months prior to the eligibility date.

2. A member not eligible for the NGCM under the foregoing criteria who reenlists or reports for active duty within 3 months after discharge or release to inactive duty is considered to be serving under “continuous active service” conditions. While the time between the date of separation and date of return to active duty is not counted as an interruption of active service, it may not be included in computing time served. A member who reenlists or reports for active duty after 3 months must begin a new 3-year period on the date of reenlistment or reporting for active duty.

3. An enlisted member appointed a temporary warrant or commis­ sioned officer is entitled to include such temporary service upon reverting to an enlisted status for any purpose (including discharge to accept appointment as a permanent officer). Naval Academy midshipmen who are not commissioned, but are retained in the service in an enlisted status, may include such midshipman service for the purpose of earning the NGCM. Except as provided above, service in warrant, commissioned, or Naval Academy midshipman status may not be included in computing time served.

4. Active service in a Reserve status credited toward the Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal may not be credited for the NGCM Award.

5. When the requirements have been met, but it is evident that the individual is not deserving of this award due to a repeated record of valid letters of indebtedness, or other acts which are not in keeping with the high moral standards required of all Navy personnel, the commanding officer will make appropriate recommendations to CNO (N09B13) stating the reasons.

6. If there is insufficient evidence in a member’s service record to determine eligibility for the NGCM or subsequent award, a copy of service record page 9, Enlisted Performance Record, (NAVPERS 1070/609) should be requested from BUPERS in order to complete the service record and determine the member’s eligibility for the award.

Authorization

The MCGCM was established by Special Order No. 49 of 20 July 1896, to recognize good behavior and faithful service in the Marine Corps. The CMC has review authority over the MCGCM and designates specific Marine Corps criteria for the award.

Eligibility Requirements

Service

1. Any 3 years of continuous active service, regardless of expiration or extension of enlistments and any previous or subsequent disciplinary action except as indicated in below for enlisted personnel, Regular or Reserve, including service in temporary warrant or temporary commissioned status, provided such temporary officer reverts to enlisted status. Also, if reenlisted within a period of 90 days from date of discharge, it will not be construed as an interruption of continuous service but the period between discharge and reenlistment will not be counted.

2. Provided the individual is otherwise qualified, a MCGCM shall be authorized for any 3 years enlisted service consisting of a combination of periods of active service in a war, national emergency or armed hostilities in which the United States is engaged. When the first period of such service terminated prior to 10 December 1945, a total of 4 years enlisted service is required.

3. For first award only, the MCGCM may be awarded, provided conduct requirements are met, to the next of kin in those cases where service member is killed in combat action against an opposing armed force, or dies as a direct result of wounds received in combat action against an opposing armed force, or dies in the line of duty where such death was directly related to actions against the enemy. In addition, for the first award only, the MCGCM is authorized for individuals who are separated from the naval service for physical disability as a result of wounds incurred in combat action against an opposing armed force, or in the line of duty where such wounds resulted directly from action against the enemy, provided conduct requirements are met. For first award only, next of kin of Prisoners of War also would be eligible to receive the MCGCM if the service member’s demise occurs while in a POW status, provided it has been determined that conduct while in POW status was acceptable.

NOTE. In establishing eligibility for MCGCMs, service performed during World War II, Korea and Vietnam will not be creditable unless entry or reentry to active service occurred during the periods from 8 September 1939 to 31 December 1946 inclusive; 27 June 1950 to 27 July 1954 inclusive; and 3 July 1965 to 30 September 1975 inclusive.

Conduct

1. The MCGCM shall be earned for otherwise qualifying service involving no convictions by courts-martial, or nonjudicial punishment (NJP) under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Article 15, and no lost time by reason of sickness-misconduct or injury-misconduct. Prior to 27 April 1990, not more than 1 NJP was allowed.

2. When an NJP or a courts-martial voids creditability of service, a new good conduct period shall commence effective on the date of approval of the NJP or on the date of the convening authority’s action on the courts-martial, except when the offense occurred within the 3-year period and the date of approval of the NJP or of the convening authority’s action is after the expiration of the 3-year period; under these circumstances, the date of the offense shall be the commencement date for the new period. Offenses committed in a previous period will not be considered when determining eligibility during the current 3-year period.

3. When sentenced to confinement as a result of conviction by any courts-martial, a new period shall begin with the date of restoration to duty even though in a probationary status. The date of approval by the convening authority on all courts-martial not involving confinement shall be the new commencement date (see also Individual Records Administration Manual (IRAM), Para. 4014, MCO P1070.12H (NOTAL)).

4. In case of time lost due to sickness-miscon­ duct or injury-misconduct, the date of return to duty shall be the new commencement date for MCGCM.

5. Where the foregoing requirements have been met, but it is evident that the individual is not deserving of this award due to a repeated record of valid letters of indebtedness, conviction by civil court for major offense(s) or other acts not in keeping with the high moral standards of the Marines, the commanding officer will make recommendations to CMC (MHM) stating the reasons.

Certificates and Attachments

A Good Conduct Award Certificate (NAVMC-71) will be completed by the commanding officer at the time entitlement is confirmed for presentation to the member concerned.

A 3/16-inch bronze star will be worn on the suspension ribbon and ribbon bar to denote subsequent awards.

Eligibility Requirements

(1) Honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces for any period after 26 June 1950 to 28 July 1954, after 31 December 1960 and before 15 August 1974 or after 1 August 1990 and before 1 December 1995. For this award, the following personnel shall not be considered as performing active service:

(a) Guard and Reserve forces personnel on short tours of active duty to fulfill training obligations under an inactive duty training program. However, effective 8 October 1991, President Bush expanded criteria to include all members of the National Guard and Reserve who were part of the Selected Reserve in good standing during the period 02 August 1990 to 30 November 1995. Consequently, all Navy and Marine Corps personnel serving on active duty and members of the Navy and Marine Corps Reserve who were part of the Selected Reserve in good standing during said period are eligible for the award.

(b) Any person on temporary active duty to serve on boards, courts, commissions and like organizations.

(c) Any person on active duty for the sole purpose of undergoing a physical examination. (d) Any person on active duty for purposes other than extended active duty.

(2) Subparagraphs (l)(a) through (d) above shall not bar the award of the NDSM to members of the Guard or Reserve forces, who, after 31 December 1960 become eligible for the award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or the Vietnam Service Medal who serve for 30 days or more on temporary active duty. Such persons shall be considered to be performing active service for the purpose of eligibility for the National Defense Service Medal.

(3) Midshipmen attending the Naval Academy during the above periods are eligible for this medal.

(4) Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Midshipmen are only eligible if they participated in a summer cruise that was in an area which qualified for a campaign medal.

Note: President Bush has also authorized the award of the National Defense Service Medal to all military personnel serving on or after September 11, 2001, to a date yet to be determined.

Subsequent Award. A 3/16-inch bronze star shall be worn on the suspension ribbon and ribbon bar by personnel who earned the medal for honorable active duty after 26 June 1950 and before 28 July 1954, after 31 December 1960 and before 15 August 1974, and again after 1 August 1990 and before 1 December 1995.

Eligibility Requirements

Authorization. SECNAVINST 1650.35 of 26 January 1981.

(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, 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.

Definitions

(1) Sea Duty. Duty performed in commissioned vessels or units which operate away from their homeport/homebase for extended periods.

(2) Deployable Units. A ship (USN, USNS), aircraft squadron, detachment, battalion or other unit which operates away from its assigned homeport/homebase for a period of at least 90 consecutive days.

(3) Deployment. Either a period of at least 90 consecutive days with a deployed unit or two deployments of at least 80 days each with a given 12-month period. No waivers of this requirement will be made.

Examples of Qualifying and Disqualifying Service

(1) A person who serves in TAD status with a U.S. homeported ship/deploying unit or FMF commands may qualify upon accumulation of 12-months sea duty or duty with FMF commands. Such duty must include at least one 90-consecutive day deployment.

(2) A person who serves in TAD status with an overseas homeported ship/deploying unit or FMF command may qualify upon accumulation of 12-months duty with such ships or units.

(3) A person who first reported to a ship homeported in Norfolk on 1 July 1978, completed a deployment on 1 December 1978 will establish eligibility on 1 July 1979.

(4) A person who served on a ship or deploying unit homeported overseas from 1 January 1975 to 1 January 1979 will only be eligible for one award.

(5) A person who served on a ship or deployed unit homeported overseas from 30 June 1977 to 30 June 1980 will be eligible for two awards, i.e., the initial award for the period ending 1 January 1979 and a second award for service ending 1 January 1980.

(6) A person who is attached to a U.S. homebased Marine unit which goes on one rotational deployment for 6 months and remains with that unit for 2 years will rate only one award because of the single deployment.

(7) A person who is transferred to the 3RD Marine Division, completes first 1-year tour and extends for 12 months will be eligible for two awards -- one for the first tour and one for the 12-month extension.

(8) A person who is attached to a U.S. homeported ship for 1 year subsequent to 1 January 1979 but does not deploy for 90 consecutive days is not eligible. The same person is then given Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders to another U.S. homeported ship and immediately goes on a deployment. This person will be eligible upon the completion of the 90-day deployment.

(9) A person having served 12 months on a ship homeported in Newport, Rhode Island during which time the ship deployed for 30 days and immediately proceeded to Portsmouth, Virginia for an overhaul of 185 days duration and then returns to Newport does not qualify.

(10) A person assigned on PCS orders to the Naval Air Station, Guam serving on shore duty that counts as sea duty will not be eligible for the ribbon regardless of the length of time assigned. The Overseas Service Ribbon is applicable.

(11) A person who is assigned to Marine Corps Base (MCB), Camp Lejeune, goes TAD to Marine Division for 5 months, completes a 90-consecutive day deployment and returns to MCB Camp Lejeune upon completion of the deployment will not be eligible because 1 year was not spent with a FMF unit. Upon completion of an additional 7 months FMF duty, the person will qualify for the award.

(12) A person who is assigned to 2ND Marine Division for a 3-year tour of duty but never completes a 90-consecutive day deployment will not be eligible.

(13) A Marine who is assigned to a Marine Detachment aboard a U.S. homeported ship which does not make a 90-consecu- tive day deployment will not be eligible.

(14) A person who is assigned to MCB Camp Butler, Okinawa will not be eligible since it is not an FMF unit.

(15) A Marine who is attached to a Marine Detachment aboard a ship homeported overseas will be eligible upon completion of 12-months sea duty.

(16) A person assigned to a 36-months accompanied tour overseas with the FMF will be eligible for three awards.

(17) A Marine whose 12 months overseas FMF tour is termi­ nated early but who receives full credit for his/her tour in under Marine Corps Order P1070.12H (NOTAL) is eligible for the award.

(18) A person assigned to a ship that has made two deployments of 80 days or more with any 12-month period after 18 October 1991 is eligible for the award.

Awarding Authority. Commanding officers determine eligibility from service records, affidavits or upon completion of eligibility requirements at current command and make appropriate service record entries for enlisted personnel and issue letters of eligibility for officer personnel. No citation or certificate will be issued.