R 181158Z SEP 18
MARADMIN 520/18
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MM//
SUBJ/CLARIFICATION OF CRITERIA TO MERIT THE "R" DEVICE ON PERSONAL DECORATIONS//
REF/A/MSGID: DOC/SECDEF/DTD: 29 MAR 18//
REF/B/MSGID: MSG/SECNAV/DTG: 211924Z AUG 17//
NARR/REF A IS THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE MILITARY DECORATIONS AND AWARDS PROGRAM.  REF B IS NAVAL MESSAGE ALNAV 055/17: NEW DEVICES AUTHORIZED FOR WEAR ON CERTAIN MILITARY MEDALS AND RIBBONS//
POC/HOOKER, NELSON D./CAPT/MMMA/HQMC/TELEPHONE: DSN: (312) 278-9342 COML: (703) 784-9342/EMAIL: NELSON.HOOKER@USMC.MIL/HQMC AWDS SMB: SMB_HQMC_PERS_AWARDS@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  This MARADMIN is provided to clarify the criteria for authorizing the “R” device on personal decorations. The clarification is necessary in order to enable awarding authorities to properly recognize deserving individuals in accordance with the policies and intent of the references.
2.  Pursuant to reference (a) the "R" device is for the direct hands-on employment of a weapon system or other warfighting activities that had a direct and immediate impact on a combat operation or other military operation.  Additionally, the “R” device can only be approved on awards for specific achievement, aka impact awards.
3.  Reference (b) states the intent of the "R" device is to provide more distinctive recognition of personnel whose actions deliver significant effects on the enemy, or have direct and immediate impact on the success of friendly force military operations, but whose physical location is outside the enemy threat envelope.
4.  The "R" device inherited its criteria from the Distinguished Warfare Medal, which was created in February 2013.  The SECDEF cancelled the medal two months later, and directed a device be created instead.  It was never SECDEFs intent for the medal or the device to be awarded to commanders and staff personnel.  Rather it was intended for personnel who actually operated remote systems and played a direct role in combat missions, yet were not eligible for the in-theater medals and ribbons.
5.  Situations consistent with the intent of the "R" device:
5.a.  A Joint Terminal Attack Controller or Forward Air Controller controls close air support delivering ordnance on an enemy.
5.b.  An Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) operator controls a UAS to deliver ordnance on an enemy.
5.c.  Fire direction center and gunline personnel in an artillery or HIMARS battery that deliver ordnance on an enemy.
5.d.  A surface to air engagement which prevents an enemy attack.
5.e.  Exercising real-time tactical control of a combat mission from a remote location which has immediate impact on a combat operation.  This tactical control of a mission must be the equivalent of a leader using the personnel on the mission as a weapons system or other warfighting activity which must have impact on the enemy as required by reference (a).
5.f.  A cyber network operator conducts actions which attack or disable the enemys communications network having significant impact on a current operation or conflict.
5.g.  In all the foregoing examples, the individuals involved must not have been exposed to hostile action, nor been at significant risk of exposure to hostile action.
6.  Situations that are not consistent with the intent of the “R” device:
6.a.  Headquarters decision making and command and control not involving hands on employment of a weapons system or other warfighting activity and/or not having an immediate enemy impact.
6.b.  Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance activities not involving direct and immediate real-time participation in a specific in-theater mission.
6.c.  Activities that support, but do not control or operate, a weapons system platform or other warfighting activity that has an immediate enemy impact.
6.d.  A staff judge advocate providing legal clearance and rules of engagement prior to an artillery or air strike.
6.e.  An intelligence officer providing intelligence enabling the identification of an enemy target prior to the engagement of the target by artillery or air strike.
6.f.  Any support activities that neither involve hands on employment of a weapons system or warfighting activity, nor have an immediate impact on the enemy.
7.  These examples are not exhaustive, but should provide sufficient clarity of the intent of the "R" device, and therefore enable commanders with delegated awarding authority and command endorsers in the chains of command to appropriately judge the merits of any other individual case and approve or endorse cases appropriately.
8.  Key factors necessary for approval of the “R” device:
8.a.  Must be an impact/specific achievement award.
8.b.  Must involve hands on employment of a weapons system, or similar control of a warfighting activity.
8.c.  Must be performed from a remote location not exposed to enemy fire or at significant risk of such exposure.
8.d.  Must have had significant and immediate impact on the enemy.
9.  For any questions or concerns related to this MARADMIN send an email to the MMMA-2 organizational mail box:  SMB_HQMC_PERS_AWARDS@USMC.MIL//
10.  Release authorized by MajGen Craig C. Crenshaw, Director Manpower Management Division.//