Awards, Decorations, Achievements and Badges
U.S. Army soldiers can be the recipients of a variety of awards, decorations, achievements, Personal Fitness Test (PFT) scores, and badges for their military service, especially when defending the country in times of conflict.
The goal of the Army's award program is to enhance mission accomplishments by identifying excellence of both military and civilian members of the force and motivating them to high levels of performance and service.
The awards program allows for an objective grading method for soldiers in the Army in promotable status. A new system of promotion points was developed in 2011 and updated in 2015.
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Multiply the number of points authorized by the number of awards received:
Awards and Medals
| Soldier’s Medal or higher award/decoration | 40 |
| Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device | 35 |
| Bronze Star Medal | 30 |
| Purple Heart | 30 |
| Defense Meritorious Service Medal | 25 |
| Meritorious Service Medal | 25 |
| Air Medal with “V” Device | 25 |
| Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device | 25 |
| Air Medal | 20 |
| Joint Service Commendation Medal | 20 |
| Army Commendation Medal | 20 |
| Joint Service Achievement Medal | 10 |
| Army Achievement Medal | 10 |
| Good Conduct Medal | 10 |
| Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal | 10 |
| Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with or without “M” Device) | 10 |
| Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal | 10 |
Badge Promotion Points
| Combat Infantry Badge | 30 |
| Combat Medical Badge | 30 |
| Combat Action Badge | 30 |
| Expert Infantry Badge | 30 |
| Expert Field Medical Badge | 30 |
| Master Parachute Badge | 20 |
| Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge | 20 |
| Senior Parachute Badge | 15 |
| Senior Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge | 15 |
| Presidential Service Badge | 15 |
| Vice President Service Badge | 15 |
| Drill Sergeant Badge | 15 |
| Basic US Army Recruiter Badge | 15 |
| Parachute Badge | 10 |
| Parachute Badge | 10 |
| Parachute Rigger Badge | 10 |
| Divers badge | 10 |
| Basic Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge | 10 |
| Pathfinder Badge | 10 |
| Air Assault Badge | 10 |
| Aircraft Crewman Badge | 10 |
| Secretary of Defense Service Badge | 10 |
| Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge | 10 |
| Army Staff Identification Badge | 10 |
| Space Badge | 10 |
| Tomb Guard Identification Badge | 10 |
| Driver and Mechanic Badge | 10 |
Showcasing your rank, skills, and proficiencies on your army uniform is important. You can complete your uniform with our many Army Badges that apply to your situation. A badge is a very crucial component to your uniform because it shows your level of expertise. Today, Army qualification badges are given to those who successfully complete a weapons qualification course. Grades range from highest to lowest: expert, sharpshooter, and marksman.
Point Values
As you advance your training and skills throughout your career, points for some badges increase. For instance, the basic parachute badge is 10 points, the senior parachute badge is 15 points, and the master parachute badge is 20 points.
Promotion points increase through the following levels: Basic recruiting is worth 15 points, Gold recruiting is worth 20 points, and Master recruiting is worth 20 points toward advancement and promotion.
Hazardous Duty Points
The Hazardous Duty specialty gains extra points due to the danger involved. A basic parachutist can receive an extra 20 points, a senior parachutist can receive an extra 25 points, and a master parachutist can receive an additional 30 points when in hazardous duty areas conducting difficult training or real-world combat missions.
Certificates of Achievement
Certain specific achievements are awarded the following points:
| Soldier/NCO of the Quarter – BDE Level | 10 |
| Soldier/NCO of the Quarter | 15 |
| Soldier/NCO of the Year – MACOM | 25 |
| Distinguished Honor Graduate | 15 |
| Distinguished Leadership Award | 10 |
| Commandants List | 5 |
Sharpshooter Score Army
The Army Good Conduct Medal (AGCM)
For three years of faithful service by exhibiting exemplary conduct, efficiency, and fidelity, enlisted members are eligible for the Army Good Conduct Medal. However, if the term of service being reviewed for advancement does not meet the three-year term to be eligible for the AGCM, the added points cannot be used for the current promotion board.
The period of service is used to determine eligibility for promotion points (orders issued late do not result in a retroactive promotion point adjustment). The date of the order or ending period, whichever is later, will be used to determine eligibility for promotion points on all remaining awards, such as the Army Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal, or Meritorious Service Medal.
Us Army Sharpshooter Rifle
Awards and decorations earned in other U.S. Uniformed Services receive the same points as corresponding/ equivalent Army awards. An online calculator is available to determine your promotion/advancement number.