DECORATIONS AND RIBBONS

The following is a listing of Decorations and Awards to include V,C and R Devices. For questions relating to Awards, please contact the Awards team at: AFPC.DP1SP.RecognitionProcess@us.af.mil 

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR VALOR “V” DEVICE

The "V" device is worn on decorations to denote valor, an act or acts of heroism by an individual above what is normally expected while engaged in direct combat with an enemy of the United States, or an opposing foreign or armed force, with exposure to enemy hostilities and personal risk.

AUTHORIZED AND UNAUTHORIZED DECORATIONS

Effective Jan. 7, 2016, the “V” device is authorized on the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, and Air Force Commendation Medal (this is not an all-inclusive list).

The "V" device on the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award and the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award is only authorized for the period of Nov. 15, 1961 to Jan. 1, 2014.  Prior to Jan. 1, 2014, only one bronze "V" device is authorized 

(NOTE: The establishment of the Gallant Unit Citation and Meritorious Unit Award warranted the discontinuance of the "V" device being authorized for approved USAF unit awards).

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR COMBAT “C” DEVICE

The "C" device was established to distinguish an award earned for exceptionally meritorious service or achievement performed under combat conditions on or after Jan. 7, 2016 (this is not retroactive prior to this date).

The device is only authorized if the service or achievement was performed while the service member was personally exposed to hostile action or under significant risk of hostile action:

•  While engaged in action against an enemy of the United States
•  While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or
• While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party

The use of the "C" device is determined solely on the specific circumstances under which the service or achievement was performed. The award is not determined by geographic location. The fact the service was performed in a combat zone, a combat zone tax exclusion area, or an area designated for imminent danger pay, hardship duty pay, or hostile fire pay is not sufficient to qualify for the "C" device. The service member must have been personally exposed to hostile action or under significant risk of hostile action.

Rank/Grade will not be a factor in determining whether the "C" device is warranted, nor will any quotas, official or unofficial, be established limiting the number of "C" devices authorized for a given combat engagement, a given operation, or cumulatively within a given expanse of area or time.

AUTHORIZED AND UNAUTHORIZED DECORATIONS

Effective Jan. 7, 2016, the "C" device is authorized on the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and Air Force Achievement Medal. It cannot be authorized on any other ribbon or medal (this is not an all-inclusive list).

The "C" device is not authorized on the Bronze Star Medal or the Meritorious Service Medal.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR REMOTE “R” DEVICE

The "R" device was established to distinguish an award earned for direct hands-on employment of a weapon system that had a direct and immediate impact on a combat operation or other military operation (i.e. outcome of an engagement or specific effects on a target). Other military operations include Title 10, United States Code, support of non-Title 10 operations, and operations authorized by an approved execute order.

The action must have been performed through any domain and in circumstances that did not expose the individual to personal hostile action, or place him or her at significant risk of personal exposure to hostile action:

• While engaged in military operations against an enemy of the United States; or
•  While engaged in military operations involving conflict against an opposing foreign force; or
• While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in military operations with an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party

Qualifying Career Fields

The "R" device may be awarded to Airmen who, during the period of the act, served in the remotely piloted aircraft; cyber; space; or Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance career fields on or after Jan. 7, 2016 (this is not retroactive prior to this date).

Basis for a Decoration

 The "R" device is only authorized for a specific achievement (i.e. impact awards) and will not be authorized for sustained performance or service (i.e. end-of-tour, separation or retirement decorations)

•  Recognition for direct and immediate impact shall be based on the merit of the individual's actions, the basic criteria of the decoration, and the "R" device criteria
• Performance of a normal duty or accumulation of minor acts will not justify the "R" device. The act must have been: performed in a manner significantly above that normally expected and sufficient to distinguish the individual above members performing similar acts
•  A decoration should only be recommended in cases where the event clearly merits special recognition of the action (i.e. achieving a strategic objective or saving of lives on the ground)

AUTHORIZED AND UNAUTHORIZED DECORATIONS

Effective Jan. 7, 2016, the "R" device is authorized on the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and Air Force Achievement Medal (this is not an all-inclusive list).  

The “R” device is not authorized on any other ribbon or medal.

MILPDS UPDATE INSTRUCTION

Decorations with the “V,C,R” devices have their own codes in MilPDS.  Do not combine decoration updates as they will add additional devices or add subsequent “numbers” to an existing update of the same decoration that hasn’t earned the device.

Within MilPDS:

•  “Awards and Decorations” Screen
•  Input SSN, Query Record, and click “Awards Decs” button
•  Click “DECORATIONS” button
•  Create a new record

(Do Not create a new record if there is an existing update for the same decoration with the same device.  Only add a subsequent number to the existing update)

• In the “Decoration” section input the code for the decoration containing the description “W/V DEVICE”. 
•  Input all other applicable details for the decoration.
•  Save the Update

 (NOTE:  Currently, the “V,C,R” device does not reflect appropriately on individual’s vMPF Awards and Decorations Information screen)

For assistance with medal replacement, the National Personnel Records Center needs to verify the Veteran’s military records. You will need to complete and submit a Standard Form 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records. Mark “Other” in Section II, Items 1 and 2, and write in “Medal Replacement.”

NPRC will verify the awards to which an Air Force veteran is entitled and forward the medal replacement request, along with the records verification, to AFPC or the Air Reserve Personnel Center for reservists. The medals are then mailed to the requesting veteran. Send your completed SF-180 for medal replacements by fax to (314) 801-9195 or mail the form to: