SFMC Achievement Awards

	Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) Issuing Authority: General Staff Frequency: As needed (one award per marine per year maximum)Issued to a STARFLEET Marine who will have consistently performed above and beyond the normal duties of grade, branch, specialty or assignment to the degree of extraordinary recognition from key individuals of the SFMC. Simple experience of an individual is not an adequate basis for this award. In order to qualify for this award a candidate must have already received the Commandant s Meritorious Service Award (CMSA) or STARFLEET Cross and continued to serve the SFMC in a leadership or staff position above the MSG level for at least 3 years after receipt of the Commandant s MSA or STARFLEET Cross. In order to receive this award, after meeting the basic qualifications, the General Staff must vote to issue by at least a 2/3 majority. At least five (5) years must pass between issuance of this award to any specific individual.
	STARFLEET Cross (SFC) Issuing Authority: Commander, STARFLEET Frequency: As needed (one award per marine per year maximum)This award is given by the Commander, Starfleet, to recognize any member of SFI who has rendered exceptional service to STARFLEET in general either by demonstrating consistently outstanding performance over time, or by performing a particular task or service to a high standard of excellence.
	Commandants Meritorius Service Award (CMSA) Issuing Authority: SFMC Commandant Frequency: As needed (one award per marine per year maximum)This award is given to any member of the SFMC who has distinguished himself or herself with exceptional meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service to the SFMC over an extended period of time. This Marine will have performed above and beyond the normal duties of grade, branch, specialty or assignment to the degree of special recognition from key individuals of the SFMC. Simple experience of an individual is not adequate basis for this award. To qualify for this award, an individual must have already been awarded the SFMC Service Commendation at least twice and have served in a leadership role in the SFMC on the Brigade level (or above) for at least 2 years. Leadership role means serving as BDE staff or service on the GS as a member, their deputy or as part of the GS member s staff, the service does not have to be in the same role, but must be continuous. At the discretion of the issuing authority, the continuous service requirement may be waived for just and stated cause in favor of 5 years total service as outlined above. At least three (3) years must pass between issuance of this award to any specific individual.

	Cross of Honor (Gold Cross) – This award is given to the marine, officer or enlisted, that most exemplifies the spirit, image and attitude of the SFMC the one who sets the standard for personal conduct, appearance, motivation, dedicated service and esprit de corps for which all STARFLEET Marines strive. Normally, the General Staff selects the top three candidates for this award from among the Cross of Valor recipients in the various brigades, and passes those names on to the Commandant for his selection of the final recipient. The recipient of the Cross of Honor is known as the Marine of the Year.
	Cross of Valor (Silver Cross) – This award is given to the marine, officer or enlisted, that most exemplifies the spirit, image and attitude of the SFMC within a particular brigade the one who sets the standard for personal conduct, appearance, motivation, dedicated service and esprit de corps for which all STARFLEET Marines in that brigade strive. The respective brigade staff shall select the top three awardees of that year’s Cross of Gallantry for that brigade, and pass those names to the Brigade OIC for their selection of the final recipient.
	Cross of Gallantry (Bronze Cross) – This award is given to the marine, officer or enlisted, that most exemplifies the spirit, image and attitude of the SFMC within a particular marine unit (MSG or MEU); the one who sets the standard for personal conduct, appearance, motivation, dedicated service and esprit de corps for which all STARFLEET Marines in that unit strive.Marines will wear the device for the highest earned in a given year, meaning over the years more than one level could be earned. All three can be displayed on the same ribbon, with highest level devices inboard (toward the viewer’s left with any subsequent award stars going outboard (to the viewer’s right) of the level earned. Maximum of 4 total devices on the ribbon.
	Sword of Honor/Valor/Gallantry Leader of the Year (SWoH, SWoV, SWoG) Issuing Authority: SFMC Commandant/BDE OIC/Unit OIC, respectivelyFrequency: Annual. Marines will wear the highest award earned for a given year. Device: Crossed Swords
	Sword of Honor (Gold Swords) – This award is given to the Marine who most exemplifies the personal and professional standards of leadership valued by the SFMC. This individual has provided the highest standard of guidance and leadership to their fellow Marines, setting a standard of excellence for other leaders to follow. Normally, the General Staff selects the top three candidates for this award from among the Sword of Valor recipients in the various brigades, and passes those names on to the Commandant for his selection of the final recipient.
	Sword of Valor (Silver Swords) – This award is given to the Marine who most exemplifies the personal and professional standards of leadership valued by the Brigade. This individual, through their actions and words, has provided the highest standard of guidance and leadership to their fellow Marines, setting a standard of excellence for other leaders to follow. Normally, the Brigade Staff selects the top three candidates for this award from among the Sword of Gallantry recipients in that brigade, and passes those names on to the Brigade OIC for their selection of the final recipient.
	Sword of Gallantry (Bronze Swords) – This award is given to the Marine who most exemplifies the personal and professional standards of leadership valued by their Marine unit. This individual, through their actions and words, has provided the highest standard of guidance and leadership to their fellow Marines, setting a standard of excellence for other leaders to follow. Members of the unit can assist the OIC by identifying up to 3 candidates that they feel are worthy of the Sword of Gallantry. The final decision on who receives the award will be made by Unit OIC. Marines will wear the device for the highest earned in a given year, meaning over the years more than one level could be earned. All three can be displayed on the same ribbon, with highest level devices inboard (toward the viewer’s left with any subsequent award stars going outboard (to the viewer’s right) of the level earned. Maximum of 4 total devices on the ribbon.
	Shield of Honor/Valor/Gallantry Volunteer of the Year (SHoH, SHoV, SHoG) Issuing Authority: SFMC Commandant/BDE OIC/Unit OIC, respectively Frequency: Annual. Marines will wear the highest award earned for a given year. Device: Gold Hourglass
	Shield of Honor (Gold Hourglass) – This award is given to the Marine who has made the most significant personal impact in community service efforts within campaign effort, but financial donations are specifically excluded as the basis for eligibility. Volunteering your time and hard work counts; simply writing a check does not. Normally, the General Staff selects the top three candidates for this award from among the Shield of Valor recipients in the various brigades, and passes those names on to the Commandant for his selection of the final recipient.
	Shield of Valor (Silver Hourglass ) – This award is given to the Marine who has made the most significant personal impact in community service efforts within the Brigade. This effort does not necessarily have to be on behalf of a SFMC campaign effort, but financial donations are specifically excluded as the basis for eligibility. Volunteering your time and hard work counts; simply writing a check does not. Candidates for this award should be chosen from marines in a particular brigade who have received the Community Service Citation, or Shield of Gallantry within the past year.
	Shield of Gallantry (Bronze Hourglass) – This award is given to the Marine who has made the most significant personal impact in community service efforts within a particular Marine Unit (MSG or MEU). This effort does not necessarily have to be on behalf of a SFMC campaign effort, but financial donations are specifically excluded as the basis for eligibility. Volunteering your time and hard work counts; simply writing a check does not.Marines will wear the device for the highest earned in a given year, meaning over the years more than one level could be earned. All three can be displayed on the same ribbon, with highest level devices inboard (toward the viewer’s left with any subsequent award stars going outboard (to the viewer’s right) of the level earned. Maximum of 4 total devices on the ribbon.
	Star of Honor/Valor/Gallantry/strong> NCO of the Year (SToH, SToV, SToG) Issuing Authority: SFMC Sergeant Major, BDE SGM, Unit 1ST or OIC Frequency: Annual. Marines will wear the highest award earned for a given year. Device: Gold 5/16 inch Star
	Star of Honor (Gold Star) – This award is given to the Marine NCO who most exemplifies the personal and professional standards of leadership valued by the SFMC NCO Corps. This Marine NCO has made a significant personal impact in community service efforts throughout their area, and through their actions and words, have provided the highest standard of guidance and leadership to their fellow Marines, setting a standard of excellence for other NCOs to follow. Normally, the General Staff selects the top three candidates for this award from among the Star of Valor recipients in the various brigades, and passes those names on to the SGM/ SFMC for his selection of the final recipient.
	Star of Valor (Silver Star) – This award is given to the Marine NCO who most exemplifies the personal and professional standards of leadership valued by the NCO Corps of a Brigade. This Marine NCO has made a significant personal impact in community service efforts throughout their area, and through their actions and words, have provided the highest standard of guidance and leadership to their fellow Marines, setting a standard of excellence for other NCOs to follow. Normally, the Brigade Staff selects the top three candidates for this award from among the Star of Gallantry recipients in that brigade, and passes those names on to the Brigade OIC for their selection of the final recipient.
	Star of Gallantry (Bronze Star) – This award is given to the Marine NCO who most exemplifies the personal and professional standards of leadership valued by the NCO Corps of a Marine Unit (MSG or MEU). This Marine NCO has made a significant personal impact in community service efforts throughout their area, and through their actions and words, have provided the highest standard of guidance and leadership to their fellow Marines, setting a standard of excellence for other NCOs to follow.Marines will wear the device for the highest earned in a given year, meaning over the years more than one level could be earned. All three can be displayed on the same ribbon, with highest level devices inboard (toward the viewer’s left ), with any subsequent award stars going outboard (to the viewer’s right) of the level earned. Maximum of 4 total devices on the ribbon.
	Wounded Lion (WL)/strong> Issuing Authority: SFMC Commandant Frequency:As Needed This award is given to Marines who are seriously injured while on duty as a STARFLEET Marine during a STARFLEET or STARFLEET Marine event. The injury must be serious enough to require emergency room attention.
	SFMC Service Commendation (SCM) Issuing Authority: SFMC Commandant Frequency: As needed (one award per marine per year maximum) This award is given to recognize marines who have rendered exceptional service to the Corps by demonstrating consistently outstanding performance over time. To be eligible for this award, a marine must have served in an official capacity for a period of at least six months.
	SFMC Achievement Award (SAA) Issuing Authority: SFMC Commandant Frequency: As needed (one award per marine per year maximum) This award is given to recognize marines who have rendered exceptional service to the Corps by performing a particular task or service to a high standard of excellence. Such accomplishment should be of national or international significance and affect or reflect favorably on the Corps as a whole.
	Brigade Service Commendation (BSC) Issuing Authority: BDE OIC Frequency: As Needed This award is given to recognize marines who have rendered exceptional service to a particular brigade by demonstrating consistently outstanding performance over time. To be eligible for this award, a marine must have served in an official capacity for a period of at least six months.
	Brigade Achievement Award (BAA) Issuing Authority: BDE OIC Frequency: As Needed This award is given to recognize marines who have rendered exceptional service to a particular brigade by performing a particular task or service to a high standard of excellence. Such accomplishment should be of regional significance and affect or reflect favorably on the brigade as a whole.
	Leaders Commendation Issuing Authority: Unit OIC Frequency: As Needed (one award per unit per year maximum) This award is given by a Unit OIC to a marine under his command who exemplifies meritorious service either by demonstrating consistently outstanding performance over time, or by performing a particular task or service to a high standard of excellence. Receipt of this award neither recommends the marine for, nor precludes him from, receiving additional recognition such as the Cross of Valor.