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DoD reviews military awards

By Matthew Cox
Staff writer

Army Times has learned the Defense Department has launched a comprehensive review of the rules governing all military awards to make sure they keep pace with the changing face of warfare.

The six-month effort, launched in late August, will lead to changes in the Military Manual of Decorations and Awards, David Chu, under secretary for Defense Personnel Readiness at DoD, wrote in an Aug. 25 memo to the service secretaries and the joint staff.

“Our goal is to ensure that our policies are consistent with the evolving nature of warfare; yet at the same time, we will address specific concerns you have raised with regard to newer awards tied to the Global War on Terror, and to inconsistencies in policy or procedure that require improvement,” Chu’s memo stated.

The review will look at everything from how different services interpret the meaning of the “V” device on medals to the guidelines for awarding the Purple Heart.

“The Army uses the ‘V’ device on Bronze Star to show valor. The Air Force and Navy use the ‘V’ as a combat distinction device,” said Bill Carr, deputy Defense under secretary for military personnel policy, in an interview with Army Times.

“It should mean the same thing. If a military member wears something on their chest, the remainder of their comrades expects it to mean the same thing.”

The review will also study to see if the rules for valor awards apply to military personnel who may one day risk their lives to prevent something like a weapons-of-mass destruction attack in New York or London.

“When it comes to valor awards, we must review boundaries that might extend far beyond a particular combat zone, yet involve direct threats to American lives,” Chu said.


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Merdeka, Merdeka, Merdeka,
from the HD Committee and its decision.