NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION ORGANISATION DU TRAITÉ DE L’ATLANTIQUE NORD

HEADQUARTERS SUPREME ALLIED COMMANDER TRANSFORMATION 7857 BLANDY ROAD, SUITE 100

NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, 23551-2490

Act Dir 15-3 Dated 23 Apr 18

U.S. SERVICES JOINT AWARDS PROGRAM GUIDANCE

REFERENCE: A. DoD-M 1348.33 Vol. 1

1. Status. This is a new Allied Command Transformation (ACT) directive.

2. Purpose. To promulgate policy and procedures for processing personal awards to beapproved or forwarded by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Capability Development, who isdesignated as the award approval authority per enclosure (1). Every effort shall be made topresent personal awards to the member while the member is still assigned to the command.Receipt of transfer orders is not a prerequisite for routing end-of-tour (EOT) awards. Theseawards should be routed 45-150 days prior to the projected rotation date (PRD) or the end ofactive obligated service (EAOS). Enclosures (1) through (5) are provided to aide in thesubmission of personal awards.

3. Background. The awards program is an effective and appropriate means of rewardingan individual's efforts and enhancing morale. This program is designated to provide promptrecognition of outstanding meritorious service and achievement; and sustained superiorperformance of duty. The level of recognition may range from verbal praise to personal awarddecoration. Reference (a) provides general eligibility requirements.

4. Policy. Military personnel should be afforded full recognition for exceptional effortsabove and beyond that of their assigned daily duties. Supervisors should ensure deservingindividuals are nominated and recognized for either a specific achievement or sustainedsuperior performance. Once an individual receives a specific achievement award, the actionfor which the member is awarded should not be mentioned in any other award submission.The following guidelines will be used to determine the appropriate level of personal awards forindividuals.

a. Specific Achievement Award. Awards in this area should emphasize trulyoutstanding performance of a specific nature that is sufficiently distinct from normalassigned duties.

b. EOT Award. Individuals who have accomplished several specific achievementsthroughout their tour should be considered for an EOT award upon notification oftransfer to a new duty station. A copy of any mid-tour award citation shall be providedwith EOT recommendations. Additionally, accomplishments used for a mid-tour awardmay not be repeated for the EOT award.

c. Retirement and Separation Awards. Awards for personnel completing a careershall be given special consideration. However, this does not mean that every case ofretirement or separation will merit an award. The criteria must be consistent with theindividual's service. Retirement or separation awards are encouraged to be submitted

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once the member has approval, or a separation date has been confirmed. Branch Heads and Senior Service Representatives must be aware of terminal leave dates to ensure that awards are submitted prior to departure from the command. 5. Action

a. Recommendations for Defense Superior Service Medal (DSSM), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (DMSM), Joint Service Commendation Medal (JSCM), Joint Service Achievement Medals (JSAMs) and Military Oustanding Volunteer Service Medal (MOVSM), will be submitted to the Registry Office by the Senior U.S. Respective Service Officer’s administrative staff.

b. Enclosures (2) and (3) are provided to assist in the completion of a Personal Award Recommendation for JSAM, JSCM, and DMSM. Accuracy is essential to ensure appropriate credit to the individual's official electronic service record. Enclosure (4) is provided to assist in the preparation of the DSSM. Enclosure (5) is provided to assist in the preparation of the MOVSM.

c. All award recommendations shall be submitted to the Registry Office as follows:

(1) DSSM. Submitted to Registry office, 150 days prior to the anticipated date of presentation. Per reference (a), recommendations for DSSM awards must be forwarded to the Office of Secretary of Defense (OSD) for final approval.

(2) DMSM/JSCM/JSAM. Submitted 60 days prior to the anticipated date of presentation. (3) MOVSM. Submitted 45 days prior to the anticipated date of presentation by any commissioned officer in the individual's chain of command. d. Late submission. Branch Heads and Senior Service Representatives are expected to monitor key event dates related to their assigned personnel in order to ensure awards are accurately prepared and submitted prior to the anticipated date of presentation. In the event that an award is submitted late, a memorandum, signed by member's branch head, explaining reasons for late submission must accompany the submitted award. e. Once the Registry Office receives an award recommendation, it will be reviewed, formatted and prepared for further routing. DMSMs and above; and MOVSMs will be reviewed and presented to the awards board, then formatted and routed. All awards must be seen by the Senior U. S. Respective Service Officer prior to routing to the awards board. f. Awards Board will consist of: (1) U.S. Navy Senior Service Representative (2) U.S. Army Senior Service Representative (3) U.S. Air Force Senior Service Representative

(4) U.S. Marine Corps Senior Service Representative

(5) Director, Computer and Information Systems Support Unit det Norfolk

g. Awards Board concurrence or non-concurrence will be forwarded with the original award. Awards recommended for downgrade will be sent back to the Branch Head or originator for a one-time opportunity to provide further justification or rebuttal.

6. Medals. Registry office will provide medals for first award of the JSAM, JSCM, and DMSM. The DSSMs are controlled items that are only provided by OSD.

7. This directive will remain in effect until superseded or cancelled.

FOR THE SUPREME ALLIED COMMANDER TRANSFORMATION:

en Li ut n General, USA AF Deputy Chief of Staff, Capability Development

ENCLOSURES:

1. SACEUR MEMO Delegation of Joint Service Award Approval Authority 2. Personal Awards Recommendation Form 3. JSAM/JSCM/DMSM Citation template 4. DSSM Package 5. MOVSM Letter/Summary of Action

DISTRIBUTION:

SACT, U.S. Senior Service Representatives JWC, U.S. Senior Service Representative STRE, U.S. Senior Service Representative JALLC, U.S. Senior Service Representative JFTC, U.S. Senior Service Representative Director, Computer and Information Systems Support Unit det Norfolk Reserve Units

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Enclosure (1) to ACT Dir 15-3 Dated: 23 Apr 17

2. From (Branch Head or Senior Service) 3. Date (YYYYMMDD)

5. Rank/Rate 6. Full SSN Privacy Act - For Official Use Only

9. Branch of Service 10. Recommended Award

12. Reason: 14. Proposed Presentation Date (YYYYMMDD)

13. Next Cmd Data:

Phone: Email:

17. Title/Position

18. Relationship to

Awardee

PART II - RECOMMENDER DATA15. Name (Last, First, Middle Initial)

RECOMMENDATION FOR AWARDFor all awards higher than a DMSM, refer to special instructions in DoDM 1348.33, Volume 4, December 21, 2016

1. To (Delegated Awarding Authority)Headquarters, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation

Deputy Chief of Staff, Capability Development

7857 Blandy Rd, Suite 100, Norfolk, VA 23551-2490

PART I - SERVICE MEMBER DATA

8. Previous Awards

4. Name (Last, First, Middle Initial)

Meritorious Transfer Separation/Retirement ( years)

7. Command/Directorate/Branch/Section

11. Period of Award (YYYYMMDD-YYYYMMDD)

20. Comments

16. Contact Info

19. Signature

Part III - Summary of Action (Use specific bullet examples of meritorious acts or service)

Enclosure (2) toACT Dir 15-3Dated: 23 Apr 18

Rank/Rate Full SSN Privacy Act - For Official Use Only

Rank Lieutenant General, USAF

Date

24. Permanent Order Number

27. Rank

CWO3, USN29. Date

Part V. Orders Data23. Orders Issuing HQHeadquarters,

Supreme Allied Commander Transformation

7857 Blandy Rd, Suite 100

Norfolk, VA 23551-2490

26. Name of Orders Approval Authority

Rogers, Kathryn

28. Signature

25. Distribution

1-File

1-Awardee

1- OMPF

Name (Last, First, Middle Initial)

Name (Last, First, Middle Initial)

Signature

Lofgren, Jeffrey

Part IV. Approval AuthorityTitle/Position

Deputy Chief of Staff, Capability Development, Headquarters, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation

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Enclosure (3) to ACT Dir 15-3 Dated 23 Apr 18

JSAM/JSCM/DMSM CITATION GUIDELINES

Instructions: Prepare in final form, portrait format, justified, 14 pt., Times New Roman, with 4-inch top, 1-inch right and left margins, not to exceed 16 single-spaced lines. Must be unclassified. For compound grade titles, such as first lieutenant, staff sergeant, and so on, spell out the complete title in the opening sentence, and then use the short title in the balance of the citation. Example: Lieutenant, Sergeant, etc.

Mandatory Opening Sentence:

(Spell out Rank Name), United States (Branch), distinguished (himself/herself) by exceptionally meritorious service (JSCM/DMSM) OR achievement (JSAM) as (duty assignment), from (month/year) to (month/year) for (Joint Warfare Centre/Joint Force Training Centre/NATO Communications and Information Agency/Joint Analysis and Lessons Learn Centre/Reserve Unit) in support of NATO Headquarters, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation. (Short title rank Name’s) exceptional leadership, technical acumen, and perseverance in an extremely demanding assignment contributed directly to the mission success of this Strategic Headquarters. **For outstanding achievement, need specific beginning and ending dates; not just month/year**

Mandatory Closing Sentence:

PCS/Spot Award: The distinctive accomplishments of (Rank Name) reflect great credit upon (himself/herself), the United States (Branch), and the Department of Defense.

Retirement: The distinctive accomplishments of (Rank Name) culminate a distinguished career in the service of (his/her) country and reflect great credit upon (himself/herself), the United States (Branch), and the Department of Defense.

Retirement (with at least 30 years): The distinctive accomplishments of (Rank Name) culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of (his/her) country and reflect great credit upon (himself/herself), the United States (Branch), and the Department of Defense.

Separation: The distinctive accomplishments of (Rank Name) while serving (his/her) country reflect great credit upon (himself/herself), the United States (Branch), and the Department of Defense.

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Enclosure (3) to ACT Dir 15-3Dated 23 Apr 18

DSSM CITATION TEMPLATE

FIRST MI. LAST

Rank First MI. Last, United States Branch, distinguished him/herself by exceptionally superior service as Job Title, Headquarters, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, from Month YYYY to Month YYYY.

The distinctive accomplishments of Rank Last Name reflect great credit upon him/herself, the United States Branch, and the Department of Defense.

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DSSM NARRATIVE TEMPLATE

NARRATIVE

Rank First MI. Last, United States Branch, distinguished him/herself by exceptionally meritorious service as Job Title, Headquarters, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, from Month YYYY to Month YYYY.

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DSSM RECOMMENDATION LETTER TEMPLATE MEMORANDUM FOR DIRECTOR, WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICES

SUBJECT: Recommendation for Award of the Defense Superior Service Medal

Under the provision of DoDM 1348.33-V4, the following Service member is recommended for award of the Defense Superior Service Medal:

a. Grade, name, Service; and last four of social security number

b. Headquarters, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, North Atlantic TreatyOrganization

c. (Title and duty assignment at the time of act or service. Include Service, Joint ManpowerProgram paragraph, and/or line number or Joint Duty Authorization List number, as applicable.)

d. Month YYYY to Month YYYY

e. Service member to be (reassigned permanent change of station on _______), (relieved fromactive duty on _______).

f. Presentation is desired on DD Month YYYY. Request award be forwarded to HQ SACT,ATTN: Registry, 7857 Blandy Road, Suite 100, Norfolk, VA, 23551-2400.

g. Previous Defense/Joint decorations and inclusive dates:

Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (Dec90-Oct93)Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (Dec94-Oct98)(List all in chronological order)

h. No other award has been approved for this action or is pending for the act or service describedherein.

Attached is a narrative description of achievement performed or service rendered and the proposed citation. The point of contact for this award is: LAST, FIRST MI at COMM: 123-456-7890 and first.last@act.nato.int.

Jeffrey Lofgren Lieutenant General, USAF Deputy Chief of Staff Capability Development

Attachments – 4 1. Narrative2. Citation3. Late Letter (if appropriate)

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Enclosure (4) to ACT Dir 15-3Dated 23 Apr 18

MOVSM LETTER TEMPLATE 1348 DD Mmm YY

From: Headquarters, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation To: RANK FIRST MI. LAST, SERVICE BRANCH, FULL SSN

Subj: AWARD OF THE MILITARY OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER SERVICE MEDAL (BRONZE STAR IN LIEU OF THE (ONLY SECOND OR MORE) AWARD)

Ref: (a) DOD 1348.33-M

1. In accordance with reference (a), you are hereby authorized to wear your second MilitaryOutstanding Volunteer Service Medal for outstanding community service initiatives from MONTHYEAR to MONTH YEAR.

2. Your volunteer service to our community is a direct reflection of your dedication, professionalismand caring within the community. You were not only a positive representative of the United StatesSERVICE BRANCH, but you were a positive example to the residence of the Hampton Roads. Yourdedication, drive, and initiative to serve the needs of all ages, races, and communities show an examplethat all Sailors should follow. You are commended for your selfless efforts. Well done!

FOR THE SUPREME ALLIED COMMANDER TRANSFORMATION:

Jeffrey Lofgren Lieutenant General, USAF Deputy Chief of Staff, Capability Developement

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MOVSM SOA TEMPLATE Summary of Action

Rank First MI. Last, United States Branch, distinguished him/herself through consistent outstanding service from Month YYYY through Month YYYY and is highly deserving of the recognition afforded by award of the Military Outstanding Volunteer service Medal (MOVSM). Specific accomplishments include:

Body Text – Justification – Bullet Format

Rank Last’s selfless volunteerism and willingness to devote time in support of the community sets an excellent example for all to follow. His/Her dedicated time and efforts have promoted a positive image for the United States Branch.

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