SECNAV M-1650.1 - Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual

Scope

SECNAV M-1650.1 implements the policy established in SECNAVINST 1650.1J. The manual sets specific criteria for every Department of the Navy military award and prescribes procedures for recommending and approving awards. The manual applies to every Navy and Marine Corps activity, installation, command, ship, and station, as well as to the Office of the Secretary of the Navy, the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, and the Office of the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

Audience

Awards clerks and award writers at every command level. Awarding authorities at every grade in the delegation chain. Members of the Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals. The Marine Corps Manpower Management Awards Branch (MMMA) and the Navy awards community across the fleet.

Authority

Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) publishes the manual. Under Secretary of the Navy Thomas B. Modly signed the August 2019 edition. The Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals at 720 Kennon Street SE, Suite 309, Washington DC 20374-5023 fields manual-related questions.

Manual structure

• Chapter 1. General Awards Policy. Appendix 1A. Timeliness Standards. Appendix 1B. Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Definitions.
• Chapter 2. Personal Military Decorations (PMD). Table 1 lists DON PMD and authorized uses. Table 2 sets the general PMD nomination and approval process. Appendix 2A details criteria for each PMD from the Medal of Honor through the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
• Chapter 3. Unit Awards.
• Chapter 4. Campaign, Expeditionary, and Service (CE&S) awards.
• Chapter 5. Service-specific recognition and Marine Corps Specific Recognition.
• Chapter 6. Foreign awards.
• Subsequent chapters. Specialized procedures and forms.

PMD criteria tabs (Appendix 2A)

• Tab 1. Medal of Honor (MOH).
• Tab 2. Navy Cross (NX).
• Tab 3. Distinguished Service Medal (DSM).
• Tab 4. Silver Star Medal (SS).
• Tab 5. Legion of Merit (LOM).
• Tab 6. Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).
• Subsequent tabs cover the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

Connection to Marine Corps policy

• SECNAVINST 1650.1J. The DON Military Awards Policy parent instruction.
• MCO 1650.19J. Administrative and Issue Procedures for Decorations, Medals, and Awards. The Marine Corps-level operational order.
• MARADMIN 077/25. CMC Delegation of Awarding Authority.
• MARADMIN 093/25. Military Awards Guidance for PCS Season.

Status

Active. Effective immediately on signing, 16 August 2019. PCN 21600050100. Distribution Statement A.