Medal recognizes dedication to strategic nuclear deterrence objectives

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HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  The Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal was approved by Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James last year to recognize individuals who directly impacted the nuclear enterprise.

The medal may be awarded retroactively to Dec. 27, 1991 to fully-qualified Airmen, and is among several incentives focused on attracting and retaining high-caliber Airmen in the nuclear mission.

"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 nuclear deterrence," said Col. Zannis Pappas, the 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."

Eligible Airmen may be awarded the nuclear deterrence medal if they were assigned, deployed or mobilized to a wing, center or below in support of the nuclear enterprise for 120 consecutive or 179 non-consecutive days or were subject to a nuclear inspection or performed duties in the following areas: nuclear operations, nuclear weapons storage facilities, nuclear command, control and communication (NC3), cyber surety, security, safety, transportation, maintenance, facility management and maintenance, explosive ordnance disposal, aircrew certified for support to nuclear operations, weapons loaders, warning and attack assessment, personnel reliability program management or research, development and acquisition of nuclear systems.

Subsequent awards will only be authorized when a permanent change of station to a qualifying unit has occurred.

The Air Force Personnel Center has completed a batch update to include the timeframe of Dec. 27, 1991 to Oct. 10, 2014 for individuals currently serving and could be verified to have honorable service. Unit rosters have been received by Hanscom's Military Personnel Sections for use in verifying units that qualified for the NDOSM and will be used to verify individual requests to ensure members aren't receiving duplicate awards of the NDOSM.

Update capability in MilPDS for the NDOSM will be available in early January 2015. The current group commander, colonel or civilian leader equivalent or above, is the approval authority and certifies award of the NDOSM.

The 66th Force Support Squadron MPS will verify eligibility and complete an AF Form 104 and forward it to the requesting Airman's group commander along with support documentation for approval. Once approved, MPS officials will forward the AF Form 104 AFPC for inclusion in personnel records.

"The Air Force continues to demonstrate its support to the most vital part of the nuclear enterprise - the Airmen," said Maj. Gen. Garrett Harencak, Air Force assistant chief of staff for strategic deterrence and nuclear integration. "This medal exists as a tangible way to acknowledge the importance of this mission and the dedication and pride that the men and women in the nuclear community show to their country. Having secretary of the Air Force-level interest testifies to the importance of this decoration and impact on nuclear operations."

The medal 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 PCS has occurred.

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.

The medal has no Weighted Airman Promotion System point value.

For further information and full eligibility criteria, go to myPers by clicking here. Guard, Reserve, retired and separated Airmen and their family members may contact the Air Reserve Personnel Center at 800-525-0102 for assistance.

Hanscom personnel interested in learning more should contact the 66th Force Support Squadron Military Personnel Section at 781-225-1330.

(Portions of this article courtesy of Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs)