Can contractors receive Army medals

Answer 1

Civilian contractors as well as federal employees can, in fact, receive special decorations and medals from the armed services. In this case, your husband is eligible for one of two recognitions:

Army Outstanding Civilian Service Award Medal which is awarded to U.S. Army civilian employees by the Secretary of the Army or a Major Army Command (MACOM) commander for outstanding service that makes a substantial contribution or is of significance to the MACOM concerned to include: (1) Civilians not employed by the Army or Army contractors. (2) Federal Government officials at the policy development level. (3) Technical personnel who serve the Army in an advisory capacity or as consultants. MACOM Commanders may re-delegate approval authority for this award to any commander in the rank of Major General or above.

or the

Army Distinguished Civilian Service Award Medal which is awarded to U.S. Army employees by the Secretary of the Army to those individuals providing distinguished service making a substantial contribution to the accomplishment of the Army's missions including: (a) Civilians not employed by the Army or Army contractors; (b) Federal Government officials at the policy development level; (c) Technical personnel who serve the Army in an advisory capacity or as consultants.

Unfortunately, while the Army Battalion your husband is attached to means well, it appears they really don't understand the most important aspect of rewarding an individual: paperwork, or who should be submitting it.

The responsibility lies not with your husband's company, nor is the correct form the SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action. Rather, the attached unit needs to complete DA Form 1256, Incentive Award Nomination and Approval.

The key to getting an award through the approval process is timely submission of a complete and endorsednomination. It can take up to 30 business days to process an award.

To be properly processed, an endorsement must be also signed by the Army Commands, Army Service Component Commands, and Army Direct Reporting Units Commander before the nomination package is submitted. The endorsement should summarize the award package and may include the personal views of the commander. Most importantly it must be signed and approved before the nomination package is submitted.

All nominations must be submitted at least 30 business days prior to the proposed presentation date.

You and his company should be very proud of his service, now we just need to get the paperwork properly filled out.