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.