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Ref: SECNAVINST 1650.1H, Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual

The Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces, including members of Reserve components on active or inactive duty, of the grade of lieutenant commander/major and below. The award shall be presented for meritorious service or achievement in combat or non-combat circumstances based on sustained performance or specific achievement of a superlative nature, and shall be of such merit as to warrant more recognition than is possible by a fitness report or performance evaluation, but which is not significant enough to justify a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal or higher.

Professional achievement that merit the NA must:
(a) Clearly exceed that which is normally required or expected, considering the individual's grade or rate, training, and experience, and
(b) Be an important contribution of benefit to the United States and the Naval Service.

Leadership Achievement that merit the NA must:
(a) Be noteworthy
(b) Be sustained so as to demonstrate a high state of development or, if for a specific achievement, be of such merit as to earn singular recognition for the act, and
(c) Reflect most creditably on the efforts of the individual toward the accomplishment of the unit mission.

Limitations. The Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal will not be awarded for service involving participation in aerial flight after 1 January 1969. The Air Medal is the more appropriate recognition for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. This does not preclude the award of the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal to those who meet the eligibility requirement for service during which participation in aerial flight was incidental.

On 17 January 1991, the "V" was authorized for wear on the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. The "V" is authorized for wear if the award is for acts or services involving direct participation in combat operations. The "V" device may only be worn if specifically authorized in the citation. Eligibility for the Combat Distinguishing Device shall be based solely on acts or services by individuals who are exposed to personal hazard due to direct hostile actions, and not upon the geographical area in which the acts or services are performed. Each case must be judged on its own merits.

NAVSO 1650/12 (7-99), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal Certificate, S/N 0104-LF-982-3000 (for issue only by those commanders with authority to award the medal)

Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal 8455-00-926-6784

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