Military Award Writing: Achievement Medal & Commendation Examples

Writing effective military award recommendations is one of the most important administrative skills for leaders across all service branches. Whether you’re recommending a soldier for an Army Achievement Medal, nominating a sailor for a Navy Commendation Medal, or drafting an Air Force Achievement Medal citation, the quality of your writing directly impacts whether the award gets approved – and how meaningful it is to the recipient.

This comprehensive guide provides proven techniques, strong examples, and common mistakes to avoid when writing military award citations. Whether you’re a new NCO writing your first award or a senior officer refining your craft, these strategies will help you craft compelling, approval-worthy recommendations.

Understanding Military Award Categories

Before writing any award, understand where it fits in the military awards hierarchy. Different achievement levels require different writing approaches.

Achievement Medals (AM) – Individual Awards

Achievement medals recognize exceptional service or achievement in a non-combat setting:

• Army Achievement Medal (AAM): Sustained superior performance or single acts of achievement
• Navy/Marine Achievement Medal (NAM): Professional achievement or exemplary service
• Air Force Achievement Medal (AFAM): Outstanding achievement or meritorious service
• Coast Guard Achievement Medal (CGAM): Professional achievement or meritorious service

Typical justifications: Exceptional performance of primary duties, significant one-time accomplishments, outstanding support to unit mission over 6-18 months.

Commendation Medals (CM) – Higher Recognition

Commendation medals require sustained superior performance or exceptionally significant achievement:

• Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM): Sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service
• Navy/Marine Commendation Medal (NCM): Sustained superior performance or heroic achievement
• Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM): Outstanding achievement beyond normal expectations
• Coast Guard Commendation Medal (CGCM): Sustained superior performance or heroic achievement

Typical justifications: Significantly above-average sustained performance, major project leadership, significant cost savings or process improvements, 12-36 months of exceptional duty performance.

Key Differences in Writing Approach

The Anatomy of a Strong Award Citation

Every effective military award has these essential components:

1. Opening Statement (Hook)

The first sentence sets the tone and justifies the award level.

Weak opening: “SSG Smith performed his duties well during his time at Fort Hood.”

Strong opening: “Staff Sergeant Smith’s exceptional technical expertise and unwavering dedication directly enabled 42 critical missions, resulting in zero equipment failures and $2.3M in cost avoidance over 16 months.”

What makes it strong: Specific metrics, time period, impact quantified, immediate justification for recognition.

2. Specific Accomplishments (Bullet Points)

Each bullet should follow the STAR format: Situation, Task, Action, Result.

Weak bullet: “- Managed unit supply operations effectively”

Strong bullet: “- Overhauled antiquated supply system, implementing digital tracking that reduced equipment loss by 87% and saved 450 man-hours annually; system adopted as battalion standard”

What makes it strong: Specific action taken, quantified results, broader impact beyond individual unit.

3. Impact Statement (So What?)

Every accomplishment must answer “So what? Why does this matter?”

Without impact: “Trained 45 soldiers on new weapons system”

With impact: “Trained 45 soldiers on M320 grenade launcher, achieving 100% qualification rate and enabling company to deploy 30 days ahead of schedule; directly contributed to readiness posture for CENTCOM rotation”

4. Closing Statement

Reinforces the justification and reflects credit on larger organization.

Weak closing: “SSG Smith’s performance reflects well on him.”

Strong closing: “Staff Sergeant Smith’s technical mastery, selfless dedication, and mission-first mentality epitomize the Army’s core values and reflect great credit upon himself, the 3rd Infantry Division, and the United States Army.”

Strong vs. Weak Examples: Achievement Medal

Example 1: Army Achievement Medal (AAM)

WEAK VERSION:

“For exceptionally meritorious service as Signal Support Specialist, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment, from June 2024 to December 2024. During this period, Specialist Johnson performed his duties in an outstanding manner. He maintained communications equipment, assisted with network operations, and helped train new soldiers. His dedication to duty was exemplary. Specialist Johnson’s performance reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army.”

Why it’s weak: Vague generalities, no specific accomplishments, no quantifiable impact, merely describes normal job duties.

STRONG VERSION:

“For exceptionally meritorious service as Signal Support Specialist, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment, from June 2024 to December 2024. Specialist Johnson’s technical expertise and innovative problem-solving directly enabled 127 battalion missions with zero communications failures during this critical training cycle. His specific accomplishments include:

– Diagnosed and repaired catastrophic radio failure 2 hours before battalion live-fire exercise, fabricating replacement component from salvaged parts when supply chain delayed critical part 72 hours; enabled on-time mission execution for 600-soldier training event

– Developed preventive maintenance tracking system using basic spreadsheet software, reducing equipment deadline rate from 34% to 8% and extending average equipment life by 18 months; system adopted by brigade and saved estimated $180K in replacement costs

– Trained 23 junior soldiers on SINCGARS troubleshooting, resulting in 100% first-time GO rate on battalion Signal ORI and recognition as best-prepared company in brigade assessment

– Volunteered to establish communications for company emergency response during local flooding disaster, maintaining 24/7 operations for 96 hours and enabling coordination of 43 rescue missions; personal dedication allowed evacuation of 180 civilians

Specialist Johnson’s technical excellence, mission-focused initiative, and selfless service embody the Army’s warrior ethos and reflect great credit upon himself, the 10th Infantry Regiment, and the United States Army.”

Why it’s strong: Specific quantifiable accomplishments, clear cause-and-effect showing impact, demonstrates initiative beyond job description, broader organizational impact.

Example 2: Navy Achievement Medal (NAM)

WEAK VERSION:

“For professional achievement while serving as Aviation Electronics Technician aboard USS JOHN S. MCCAIN (DDG-56) from January 2024 to August 2024. Petty Officer Lee maintained radar systems and performed his duties professionally. He was always on time and worked well with others. His attention to detail was commendable. Petty Officer Lee’s performance reflects credit upon himself and the United States Navy.”

STRONG VERSION:

“For professional achievement while serving as Aviation Electronics Technician aboard USS JOHN S. MCCAIN (DDG-56) from January 2024 to August 2024. Petty Officer Lee’s exceptional technical acumen and tireless dedication directly contributed to 100% mission success rate during complex Western Pacific deployment, enabling critical air defense operations during heightened readiness period.

– Identified and isolated intermittent SPY-1D radar fault that had eluded diagnosis for 14 months, tracing problem to corroded connector in junction box not documented in technical manuals; repair restored full capability and prevented $3.2M system replacement

– Maintained 99.7% AN/SPS-67 radar availability during 210-day deployment despite operating in harsh saltwater environment; superior preventive maintenance prevented 16 predicted failures and enabled uninterrupted surface search capability

– Mentored six junior technicians, developing comprehensive training program that reduced average qualification time from 18 months to 11 months; all mentees achieved fully qualified status and contributed to watchbill expansion

– Completed 340 hours of collateral duty as divisional training coordinator with zero discrepancies on training audit; organized professional development for 45 personnel and improved division inspection score from 82% to 97%

Petty Officer Lee’s technical mastery, proactive leadership, and unwavering commitment to mission success embody Navy core values and reflect great credit upon himself, USS JOHN S. MCCAIN, and the United States Naval Service.”

Strong vs. Weak Examples: Commendation Medal

Example: Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM)

WEAK VERSION:

“For meritorious service as Cyber Systems Operator, 45th Operations Support Squadron, from March 2023 to March 2025. During this period, Technical Sergeant Martinez performed her duties exceptionally. She maintained network operations, supervised junior airmen, and completed additional duties. Her professionalism was outstanding and she was an asset to the squadron.”

STRONG VERSION:

“For meritorious service as Cyber Systems Operator, 45th Operations Support Squadron, Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, from March 2023 to March 2025. Technical Sergeant Martinez’s visionary leadership and technical virtuosity transformed squadron cyber operations, directly enabling 2,847 space launch missions with zero network security incidents during this critical two-year modernization period. Her sustained superior performance includes:

– Architected and implemented squadron’s transition from legacy network infrastructure to zero-trust architecture 6 months ahead of Space Force mandate; migration achieved 99.98% uptime during transition period despite supporting 24/7/365 launch operations

– Identified and remediated 14 critical vulnerabilities during routine audit, preventing potential adversary exploitation of launch control systems; proactive defense earned squadron AF-level recognition and directly contributed to National Defense Strategy

– Redesigned network security training program, reducing insider threat incidents by 73% and improving annual assessment scores from 78% to 96%; program adopted as Space Delta 45 standard and replicated across 12 squadrons

– Led 8-person team through emergency network restoration following lightning strike to primary server facility, restoring full capability in 16 hours (72 hours ahead of recovery objective) and enabling critical GPS satellite control mission

– Supervised and mentored 12 junior cyber operators, achieving 100% upgrade training completion rate and zero qualification delays; all subordinates rated “Exceed Standards” or higher on annual evaluations

– Served as squadron cybersecurity subject matter expert for 4 major exercises including GLOBAL THUNDER, providing flawless defensive operations and earning “outstanding” rating from USSTRATCOM assessors

– Volunteered 340 hours as base Honor Guard member, representing Space Force at 28 military ceremonies including dignitary visits and retirement ceremonies; earned Honor Guard Member of Quarter twice

Technical Sergeant Martinez’s technical brilliance, inspirational leadership, and steadfast dedication to mission excellence embody the Space Force’s core values and reflect great credit upon herself, the 45th Operations Support Squadron, and the United States Space Force.”

Why this is commendation-level: Sustained excellence over 24 months, organizational-level impact, leadership of others, quantified cost savings and mission impact, additional duties performed at high level, breadth and depth of accomplishments.

Writing Techniques for Maximum Impact

1. Use Strong Action Verbs

Weak verbs: did, helped, worked, assisted, performed, completed

Strong verbs: architected, overhauled, spearheaded, orchestrated, championed, pioneered, revolutionized, eliminated, maximized, forged, cultivated

Example transformation:

• Weak: “Helped improve unit readiness”
• Strong: “Spearheaded readiness initiative that elevated unit status from C-3 to C-1 in 90 days”

2. Quantify Everything Possible

Numbers add credibility and make impact concrete:

• Personnel: “trained 45 soldiers” not “trained many soldiers”
• Time: “completed in 16 hours vs. standard 72 hours”
• Money: “saved $180K” not “saved significant money”
• Percentage: “reduced failures by 87%” not “greatly reduced failures”
• Comparison: “best score in 5-year history” not “high score”

3. Show Cause and Effect

Every bullet should have: [ACTION] → [RESULT] → [SO WHAT]

Example: “Identified critical software vulnerability [ACTION] → preventing potential data breach [RESULT] → protecting 45,000 personnel records and avoiding potential $2M+ compliance penalty [SO WHAT]”

4. Demonstrate Impact Beyond Normal Duties

Doing your job well earns a good eval. Awards require exceeding job requirements:

• Job duty: “Maintained vehicles per TM”
• Award-worthy: “Developed innovative preventive maintenance tracker that identified failures 2 weeks earlier than standard procedures, achieving 97% deadline-free rate vs. battalion average of 76%”

5. Include “Soft Skills” Accomplishments

Leadership, mentorship, and organizational contributions matter:

• Mentored junior personnel with quantified results
• Led special projects or working groups
• Improved unit morale or cohesion
• Represented unit at higher headquarters
• Volunteered for additional duties with measurable impact

Common Mistakes That Get Awards Downgraded

1. Describing Normal Job Performance

❌ “Performed maintenance on 15 vehicles as required by regulations”
✓ “Maintained 15 vehicles at 100% deadline-free rate for 18 consecutive months, only mechanic in battalion to achieve this standard”

2. Using Inflated Language Without Substance

❌ “Displayed absolutely extraordinary and unprecedented excellence”
✓ “Achieved highest performance evaluation score (98/100) in company of 165 personnel”

3. Missing Quantifiable Impact

❌ “Saved the unit a lot of money”
✓ “Negotiated vendor contracts saving $47K annually in recurring IT costs”

4. Overstating the Award Level

Recommending a commendation for achievement-level performance gets the award kicked back or downgraded. Be realistic about impact scope.

5. Grammar and Spelling Errors

Typos and errors undermine credibility. Have multiple people proofread before submission.

6. Generic Closing Statements

❌ “Reflects credit on the Army”
✓ “Reflects great credit upon himself, the 1st Cavalry Division, and the United States Army”

Service-Specific Formatting Requirements

Army Awards (DA Form 638)

• Single-spaced, justified margins
• No more than 12-15 lines for Achievement Medal
• No more than 25-27 lines for Commendation Medal
• Must include unit, location, specific dates
• Use rank abbreviations per AR 600-8-22

Navy/Marine Corps Awards (NAVPERS/MARADMIN)

• Block format, all caps for key information
• Not to exceed one page
• Must include UIC, NEC/MOS, specific accomplishments
• Follow format in SECNAVINST 1650.1

Air Force/Space Force Awards (AF Form 1206)

• Bullet format (— not -)
• Impact/Result starts on new line
• Limit 13 lines for Achievement, 30 lines for Commendation
• Follow AFI 36-2803 formatting exactly

Coast Guard Awards (CG-1650-34)

• Narrative format, not bullet points
• One page maximum
• Follow COMDTINST M1650.25 series guidance

Award Approval Process and Timelines

Understanding approval chains helps you time submissions appropriately:

Typical Approval Chain

Submission Tips

• End-of-tour awards: Submit 60-90 days before departure to ensure approval before PCS
• Retirement awards: Submit 90-120 days before retirement date
• Spot awards: Submit within 30 days of accomplishment while details are fresh
• Follow-up: Check status weekly; awards get lost in routing

Award Writing Checklist

Before submitting any award, verify:

• ☐ Strong opening statement with quantified impact
• ☐ 3-6 specific accomplishments (Achievement) or 6-10 (Commendation)
• ☐ Each bullet has action, result, and impact
• ☐ Numbers/metrics included wherever possible
• ☐ Demonstrates performance beyond normal duties
• ☐ Impact level matches award level (team vs. organization)
• ☐ Proper service-specific formatting
• ☐ No spelling or grammar errors
• ☐ Includes full dates, unit names, locations
• ☐ Strong closing statement with reflection of credit
• ☐ Reviewed by senior NCO or officer

Resources for Award Writers

• Army: AR 600-8-22 (Military Awards), DA Pam 600-8-22 (examples)
• Navy/Marines: SECNAVINST 1650.1 (Awards Manual)
• Air Force: AFI 36-2803 (Air Force Awards and Decorations Program)
• Coast Guard: COMDTINST M1650.25 (Awards Manual)
• Joint: DoD Manual 1348.33 (Manual of Military Decorations and Awards)

Conclusion

Writing effective military awards is a learned skill that improves with practice. The difference between a weak award and a strong award isn’t the service member’s performance – it’s the quality of the writing and the specificity of the justification.

Strong awards tell a compelling story with specific, quantified accomplishments that clearly demonstrate impact beyond normal job requirements. They answer three critical questions: What did the member do? Why does it matter? How does it reflect on the larger organization?

Take the time to write awards well. A well-written award not only increases approval chances but provides a lasting record of a service member’s contributions and can positively impact their entire career.

Related Guides:

• DA Form 638 Complete Guide: Army Award Recommendation Process
• Marine Corps FITREP: Complete Writing Guide and Examples
• Military Performance Evaluations: NCO and Officer Writing Guide
• Coast Guard Performance Reports: Complete OER & EPR Guide