AF releases criteria for new service medal

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MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Air Force officials released nomination criteria for the new Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal, following Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James' May 27, 2014, authorization.

The NDOSM will be awarded to individuals for their direct support of Nuclear Deterrence Operations.

"This service medal provides a clearly visible way to recognize the dedication and professionalism of our Airmen who are the guardians of our nation's most lethal deterrence. Because of our success, often times nuclear deterrence operations can be overlooked as a critical function," said Col. Zannis Pappas, missile operations career field manager. "The medal acknowledges the special challenges faced by those Airmen charged with supporting the nuclear enterprise and will be a point of pride by all who wear it."

Service members may be awarded the NDOSM if they were assigned, deployed or mobilized to a wing, center or below in support of the Nuclear Enterprise for 120 consecutive days or 179 nonconsecutive days. Subsequent awards will only be authorized when a permanent change of station to a qualifying unit has occurred.

Senior Airman Matthew Lomonaco, 91st Security Support Squadron tactical response force assaulter and breacher, said he believes this medal is a positive step for those who support the nuclear mission.

"The ribbon is a memento or a symbol of that effort," he added. "The forward progress, exposure and measures being implemented to improve the nuclear enterprise are the real prize here."

The NDOSM will be worn with an "N" device for those who dispatched to a missile complex for 179 nonconsecutive days in direct support of intercontinental ballistic missile operations or are in direct support of nuclear-laden aircraft. Only one "N" device will be worn, regardless of the number of qualifying assignments. An oak leaf cluster will be worn for subsequent awards, which will only be authorized when a permanent change of station has occurred.

Airmen within certain career fields in the ICBM community are eligible for the "N" device: missile maintenance, munitions and maintenance, security forces, services, transportation, civil engineering, cyberspace support, operations, and missile facility manager.

Those who provide direct support of nuclear-laden aircraft are also eligible for the "N" device: nuclear certified aircrew, aircraft maintenance technicians, munitions maintenance technicians, combat crew communications, nuclear-certified controllers and security forces performing guard duties. 

"As an Ammo troop, I could be called upon at any time to support the nuclear mission here," said Staff Sgt. Bryon Black, 5th Munitions Squadron conventional maintenance crew chief. "Therefore, I believe being awarded the service medal personally, and for the Airmen in my career field, would be justifiable."

Eligibility for the medal is retroactive to Dec. 27, 1991. Nominations for currently-serving Airmen will be processed through their respective chain of command.

A member's current group commander is considered the awarding authority for the medal. Retired or separated Airmen can submit a request submitted to the Air Force Personnel Center recognition section for validation. The award can be presented posthumously, as well, so family members of deceased Airmen can also contact AFPC for information.

The medal is currently under development with a projected date of availability through the Defense Supply System of March 2015.

For more information and full eligibility criteria, go to myPers at https://mypers.af.mil. Guard and Reserve retired and separated Airmen and their family members may contact the Air Reserve Personnel Center at 800-525-0102, for assistance.