R 291837Z SEP 20
MARADMIN 575/20
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MM//
SUBJ/APPROVAL OF THE HUMANITARIAN SERVICE MEDAL (HSM) FOR COVID-19//
REF/A/MSGID:DOC/DOD/20JUN19//
REF/B/MSGID:DOC/DOD/20JUN19//
REF/C/MSGID:DOC/DOD/20JUN19//
REF/D/SECNAV M-1650.1//
REF/E/MARADMIN 626/13//
NAR/REF A IS DODI 1348.33, DOD MILITARY DECORATIONS AND AWARDS PROGRAM. REF B IS DODM 1348.33-V4, CHANGE 2. REF C IS DODM 1348.33-V2, CHANGE 2. REF D IS THE NAVY AND MARINE CORPS AWARDS MANUAL. REF E IS ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE SUBMISSION OF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE HUMANITARIAN SERVICE MEDAL (HSM)//
POC/G. R. DAY/MAJ/HQMC MMMA/-/TEL:703-784-9343/EMAIL: GRETCHEN.DAY@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. The Department of Defense (DoD) has approved the Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM) and the Humanitarian Service Medal (HSM) for award to eligible service members (Active and Reserve Component) engaged in qualifying DoD Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) operations and activities, pursuant to the guidelines below, for the period 31 January 2020 to a date TBD. This MARADMIN announces the approval of the HSM and provides administrative instructions for the same. A separate MARADMIN will provide details on the AFSM.
2. The HSM is an individual award. As such, only those Marines directly participating in immediate, humanitarian relief efforts are eligible. Personnel must have deployed to a specific location to provide direct support to a significant operation for at least one day. Direct participation is defined as being physically present at the designated location, and having directly contributed to and influenced the action. All nominees should have official orders substantiating their deployment. Efforts to support one’s own command, military community, or military base are considered command responsibilities and are not eligible for the HSM. Given the dynamic nature of the pandemic response, this MARADMIN provides details for the period 31 January 2020 through 30 September 2020. If qualifying operations and activities occur after 30 September 2020, another MARADMIN will be published.
3. To date, qualifying operations include those conducted by TF Northeast, USNS MERCY (T-AH-19), USNS COMFORT (T-AH-20), and those conducted to restore the readiness of the national strategic asset USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71).
4. Major subordinate commands, whose personnel were engaged in qualifying operations, must identify an appropriate senior officer (O-6 or above) to endorse the list of participants deserving of the HSM for submission into iAPS. The identified senior Marine will be known as the “Designated Endorser.” The Designated Endorser must have knowledge of all personnel involved in the operation and/or activities.
5. Designated Endorsers identified to CMC (MMMA) are:
a. III MLG: Col Joon Um, email: joon.um@usmc.mil
b. Task Force North East: Col Brian Russell, email: brian.e.russell@usmc.mil
c. Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz: Col Bradley MaGrath, email: bradley.magrath@usmc.mil
d. 3d Battalion, 2d Marines, USNS COMFORT (T-AH-20): Col Brian Coyne, email: brian.coyne@usmc.mil
e. 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, USNS MERCY (T-AH-19): Col Brandon Graham, email: brandon.w.graham@usmc.mil
f. 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, USNS MERCY (T-AH-19): Col Matt Good, email: matt.good@usmc.mil
6. Personnel who participated in operations with the commands listed above should work through their chain of command to determine if they will be submitted for the HSM. Once a list of eligible personnel is developed, the Designated Endorser will submit the complete list to CMC (MMMA) via the Improved Awards Processing System (iAPS). Designated Endorsers may submit multiple rosters or consolidate the list into a single iAPS record.
7. CMC (MMMA) will approve all HSMs through iAPS and process via the Marine Corps Total Force System (MCTFS), updating the Marine’s individual record. MMMA will also include entries in the CAR HSM database, which has a public access option through iAPS. All Marines and Sailors should check the database, MOL or, with their chain of command, vice calling MMMA to verify HSM eligibility.
8. The HSM will not be awarded for COVID-19 operations or activities that occur in a geographical area where a DoD or Department of the Navy campaign or expeditionary medal is authorized (e.g. IRCM, ACM).
9. Under no condition will a member receive both the AFSM and HSM based on the same activities, deployment, and/or period of service. Marines can earn both awards if participating in separate, non-overlapping events that meet the criteria for the awards, within the time period stated above. Marines are eligible for one HSM per event.
10. Despite the effort to identify participating individuals promptly, some Marines may be overlooked, especially those who PCS or exit the Marine Corps prior to final approval of an award. CMC (MMMA) cannot make an eligibility determination on personnel conducting humanitarian actions without the Designated Endorser’s input. Individuals who believe they meet the eligibility requirements for the HSM should contact their commander from the time of action. Commanders may initiate a recommendation and route it through the operational chain to the appropriate Designated Endorser for consideration. Late award recommendations not submitted via iAPS must include a letter and other supporting documentation (fitreps, official orders, etc.) including all the administrative details required by this MARADMIN to MMMA-2 at SMB(UNDERSCORE)HQMC(UNDERSCORE)PERS(UNDERSCORE)AWARDS@USMC.MIL. The letter must contain all endorsements from the chain of command to the Designated Endorser. CMC (MMMA) will not act upon requests for determination that are not routed through the Designated Endorser.
11. For additional guidance please refer to references (a-e); especially, SECNAV Manual 1650.1 TAB 8: HSM (p.4-28).
12. Questions on the guidance contained in this message should be addressed to the identified POC above.
13. Release authorized by LtGen David A. Ottignon Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.//