Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal — Military Decorations

Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal Medal and Ribbon Design Images

The Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal comes with a unique service ribbon, which is worn on the recipient's uniform in situations where the full medal is not worn. If you have earned this decoration, you can wear the service ribbon on your ribbon rack.
Design of the Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal

The Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal was created in 2014 and recognizes personnel in various career fields that deal with the national strategic nuclear deterrence operations conducted by the United States. It is available to both enlisted and commissioned officers. It was created to help ongoing efforts of Air Force Global Strike Command to improve and reform the nuclear-capable and ICBM career fields. Those career fields that are eligible are Nuclear Operations, Nuclear weapons storage facilities, Nuclear command, control, and communication (NC3), Security, Chef, Transportation, Maintenance, Facility management/maintenance, Nuclear certified aircraft operations, Explosive ordnance disposal, and Installation Personnel Reliability Program management.

What is the Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal Decoration?

The Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal is part of a multifaceted approach to attract and retain high-caliber personnel in the nuclear and missile operations career fields. The medal was created to assist in ongoing efforts of Air Force Global Strike Command to improve their nuclear-capable and ICBM career fields. The Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal may be awarded to Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard personnel for service in support of US Air Force nuclear deterrence operations from 26 December 1991 until a date to be determined. To be eligible you must have worked in one of the following career fields: Nuclear operations,Nuclear weapons storage facilities, Nuclear command, control, and communication (NC3),Security,Chef, and Transportation. The required length of service to be eligible is 120 consecutive or 179 non-consecutive days attached, deployed, assigned, or mobilized to a unit supporting the nuclear deterrence mission.

The United States military sorts decorations into categories called Classes and Types. The Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal medal is classified as a Service Award of the type Special Service Medal.

How Do You Earn the Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal?

Participating in or directly supporting nuclear deterrence operations after 26 December 1991.

Displaying the Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal

The Order of Precedence of the Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal is 87, and this precedence is used when placing the associated service ribbon on your uniform ribbon rack. You can see a full list of decorations in the order of precedence on the Decorations homepage.

The ribbon is worn between the Air and Space Campaign medal and the Air Force Overseas Service Ribbon-Short Tour ribbon.

Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal Associated Branches

Air Force

Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal Associated Branches

Air Force

Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal and the Stolen Valor Act

The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 is a federal law that makes it illegal for any person to falsely claim to be the recipient of certain military awards, "with the intention of obtaining money, property, or other tangible benefit by convincing another that he or she received the award".This decoration is covered by the Stolen Valor act. Fraudulently claiming to have received a Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal can result in punishment including a fine, imprisonment for not more than one year, or both


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