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AFH 1 · Chapter 8 · Section 8.20

Unit Awards

Part of Followership · 2 sections · ~901 words · WAPS PFE study material

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Unit Awards — PUC, JMUA, GUC

Purpose of Unit Awards

These awards are presented to military units that distinguish themselves during peacetime or in action against hostile forces or an armed enemy of the United States.

Award Standard

Outstanding Standard
To preserve the integrity of unit awards, they are approved only to recognize acts or services clearly and distinctly outstanding by nature and magnitude.

The acts or services recognized must:

  • Place the unit's performance above that of other units similar in composition and mission
  • Be of such importance that they cannot be appropriately recognized in any other way

One Award Per Achievement

Single Recognition
Only one unit award is awarded for the same achievement or service. The unit's entire service must have been honorable during the distinguished act.

Subordinate Sharing

An organization may display the award elements of a unit award. Designated subordinate units of the organization (except foreign units) may also share in the award; however, higher organizations may not.

Individual Eligibility

Direct Contribution
All assigned or attached people who served with a unit during a period for which a unit award was awarded are authorized the appropriate ribbon if they directly contributed to the mission and accomplishments of the unit.

Five Most Common USAF Unit Awards

The five most common unit awards worn by USAF members today are:

  1. Joint Meritorious Unit Award
  2. Gallant Unit Citation
  3. Meritorious Unit Award
  4. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
  5. Air Force Organizational Excellence Award

Presidential Unit Citation

PUC — Nation's Highest
The Presidential Unit Citation is the nation's highest unit award.

Awarded to units of the U.S. Armed Forces and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy on or after 7 December 1941.

The unit must have displayed gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions to set it apart and above other units participating in the same campaign.

Joint Meritorious Unit Award

JMUA Criteria
Recognizes joint units and activities, such as a joint task force, for meritorious achievement or service superior to that normally expected.

USAF members assigned or attached to the joint unit or joint task force awarded a JMUA may be eligible to wear the Joint Meritorious Unit Award ribbon.

Gallant Unit Citation

GUC Approval
Approved by the Secretary of the Air Force in March 2004.

Awarded to USAF units for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force on or after 11 September 2001.

The unit must have performed with marked distinction under difficult and hazardous conditions to set it apart from and above other units participating in the same conflict.

GUC Time Span
The Gallant Unit Citation will normally be earned by units that have participated in single or successive actions covering relatively brief time spans.

Unit Awards — MUA, AFOUA, AFOEA

Meritorious Unit Award

MUA Approval
Approved by the Secretary of the Air Force in March 2004.

Awarded to USAF units for exceptionally meritorious conduct in performance of outstanding achievement or service in direct support of combat operations for at least 90 continuous days during the period of military operations against an armed enemy of the United States on or after 11 September 2001.

Combat Zone Not Required
Superior performance of normal missions alone will not justify award of the Meritorious Unit Award. Service in a combat zone is not required, but service must be directly related to the combat effort.

MUA Exclusivity

The MUA is not awarded to any unit or component previously awarded:

  • Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
  • Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
  • Unit awards from other service components

…for the same act, achievement, or service.

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

AFOUA Established
Established and awarded in the name of the Secretary of the Air Force on 6 January 1954.

Eligible Organizations

The AFOUA is awarded only to numbered units or:

  • Numbered Air Forces
  • Air divisions
  • Wings
  • Groups
  • Squadrons

Standard

AFOUA Standard
To be awarded the AFOUA, an organization must have performed meritorious service or outstanding achievements that clearly set the unit above and apart from similar units.

Annual Review and Submission

Commanders must annually review the accomplishments of their eligible subordinate units and recommend only those units that are truly exceptional. Recommendations are sent to major commands for consideration.

Exemptions from Annual Submission

Certain recommendations are exempt from annual submission, such as recommendations for:

  • Specific achievements
  • Combat operations
  • Conflict with hostile forces
10% Cap
Only 10 percent of similar units assigned to a command are recommended annually.

Air Force Organizational Excellence Award

AFOEA Established
Established and awarded in the name of the Secretary of the Air Force on 6 January 1954.

Same Guidelines

The AFOEA has the same guidelines and approval authority as the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.

Eligible Organizations

The AFOEA is awarded to unnumbered organizations, such as:

  • Major commands
  • Field operating agencies
  • Direct reporting units
  • Office of the Chief of Staff
  • Other Air Staff
  • Deputy assistant chief of staff agencies
10% Cap
Only 10 percent of similar units assigned to a command are recommended annually.

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