Writing the Meritorious Service Medal Citation
Ref: SECNAV M-1650.1, Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual
The proposed citation, which is a condensed version of the comments contained in Block 25, Summary of Action, must accompany the recommendation for award. The proposed citation should be prepared in double space, upper and lower case type and without the use of acronyms. Although a citation is laudatory and formalized, it must be factual and contain no classified information. Non-combat citations, such as the Meritorious Service Medal, are limited to 22 typewritten lines. In no case should citations exceed one typewritten page.
A citation consists of three parts:
1. Opening Sentence. The citation begins with the standard phrase specified for the Meritorious Service Medal, duty assignment of the individual, inclusive dates of service on which the recommendation is based, and if desired, a description of operations of the unit to which the individual is attached. The following opening phrase is used for the Meritorious Service Medal:
"For outstanding meritorious (achievement or service)..."
2. Description of the meritorious achievement or service. The second part of the citation identifies the recipient by name, describes specific duty assignments, his/her accomplishments and the outstanding personal attributes displayed. The description of the individual's achievements must show clearly that they were sufficient to justify the award recommended. Value of results of achievements may also be included. No classified information may be included in the proposed citation.
3. Commendatory Remarks. The third and last part of the citation states that the actions described in the body of the citation:
"reflected great credit upon himself/herself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service." (or, in the case of Marines, "of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.")
Note: The attributes listed in the last sentence of the example citation, (professional ability, steadfast initiative, and selfless dedication to duty) are not mandatory. They are merely listed as an example. Attributes appropriate for the individual being recommended should be used instead of those shown in the example.
There are two options for the format of the last sentence. Use whichever sounds best:
OPTION 1. Beginning with the individual's name: "Petty Officer Doe's professional ability, steadfast initiative, and selfless dedication to duty reflected great credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
OR
OPTION 2. Beginning with the three attributes: 'By his professional ability, steadfast initiative, and selfless dedication to duty, Petty Officer Doe reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL (Gold Star in lieu of the First Award) to
COMMANDER JANE L. DOE
UNITED STATES NAVY
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For outstanding meritorious achievement as Director of the Navy Office of Information, New England from June 1985 to June 1986. Commander Doe displayed exceptional public affairs expertise and unparalleled resourcefulness while managing intense and highly visible projects such as the first and second expeditions to explore the TITANIC, the commissioning of USS BUNKER HILL (CG 52), and the visit of five North Atlantic Treaty Organization frigates to Boston. Her liaison with the New England community was superb, revitalizing and establishing significant contacts with regional civic leaders. In addition, she provided important support to the Fleet during more than twenty port visits to Boston and managed media contacts for key military members such as the Secretary of the Navy and the Commander in Chief, Atlantic Fleet. The exceptional professional ability, steadfast initiative, and selfless dedication to duty exhibited by Commander Doe reflected great credit upon her and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
For the President,
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL (Gold Star in lieu of the Second Award) to
COMMANDER JANE L. DOE
UNITED STATES NAVY
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For outstanding meritorious service or achievement while serving as Congressional Liaison for Intelligence, Office of Legislative Affairs from January 2003 to August 2006. Commander Doe consistently performed her demanding duties in a highly professional manner. She distinguished herself as a highly respected and effective liaison officer through her keen understanding of Navy intelligence systems and programs. Commander Doe's professional acumen and ability to communicate effectively across widely varying communities and committees helped secure Congressional approval for key Navy initiatives across the broad spectrum of General Defense Intelligence, Joint Military Intelligence and Tactical Intelligence and Related Activity Programs. Her interface with Members of Congress and their staffs was critical in informing them on a range of issues, including the Navy's involvement in the Global War on Terrorism, the impact of Intelligence Community Reform legislation, and key Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance initiatives. Commander Doe's exceptional professionalism, personal initiative, and loyal devotion to duty reflected great credit upon her and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
For the President,
Citation Format. Citations for the Meritorious Service Medal shall be prepared in upper and lower case type, without the use of acronyms. The font used shall be Courier New, size 12. The citation is limited to 23 typewritten lines, with the following margins: left margin 0.7 inches, right margin 0.5 inches, top margin two inches, bottom margin one inch.
The grade, name, and service are all capital letters and centered. In accordance with NAVADMIN 121/05, the "service" for all Navy personnel (whether active or reserve component) shall be "UNITED STATES NAVY." Due to the length of Navy enlisted rates, three lines are used; warfare designation is not required, but the primary designation is used when space is available; additional designations are never appropriate.
Navy officers use two lines with rank and name combined; a third line, for staff corps designation is optional. For Marine Corps personnel, two lines shall be used for the individual's grade, name, and service.
There can be many varieties of style for the same award; awarding authorities may dictate specific guidance for awards under their authority, as long as they meet the basic requirements cited above.