R 201619Z FEB 25
MARADMIN 077/25
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MM//
SUBJ/COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS' DELEGATION OF AWARDING 
AUTHORITY FOR MILITARY AWARDS//
REF/A/MSGID: MSG/CMC/DTG: 080731Z DEC 17//
REF/B/MSGID: DOC/SECNAV/YMD: 2019AUG16//
REF/C/MSGID: DOC/SECNAV/YMD: 2019MAY29//
REF/D/MSGID: DOC/CMC/YMD: 2023OCT24//
REF/E/MSGID: DOC/CMC/YMD: 2024NOV25//
REF/F/MSGID: DOC/CMC/YMD: 2012OCT15//
REF/G/MSGID: DOC/SECNAV/YMD: 2023MAY09//
NARR/REF A IS MARADMIN 074/21, SUBJ:  COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE
CORPS' DELEGATION OF AWARDING AUTHORITY FOR MILITARY AWARDS.
REF B IS SECNAVINST 1650.1J, DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY MILITARY AWARDS
POLICY.  REF C IS SECNAV M-1650.1, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS AWARDS 
MANUAL.  REF D IS CMC MEMORANDUM, DELEGATION OF MILITARY AWARD 
AUTHORITY (NON-COMBAT).  REF E IS CMC MEMORANDUM, DELEGATION OF
AWARDING AUTHORITY FOR VALOR AND COMBAT MILITARY AWARDS.  REF F IS
MCO 1650.19J WITH CH1, ADMINISTRATIVE AND ISSUE PROCEDURES FOR 
DECORATIONS, MEDALS, AND AWARDS.  REF G IS SECNAV MEMORANDUM, 
AUTHORITY TO AWARD DECORATIONS TO CERTAIN FOREIGN MILITARY 
PERSONNEL.//
POC/A. L. CRUZ/CAPT/HQMC MMPB-3/TEL: 703-784-9342/EMAIL:  
ADAM.CRUZ1@USMC.MIL//
POC/HQMC MMPB-3//TEL: 703-784-9342/EMAIL:  
SMB_HQMC_PERS_AWARDS@USMC.MIL
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Cancellations.  References (A) is hereby 
cancelled.
2.  The purpose of this MARADMIN is to publish the update to the
Commandant of the Marine Corps' (CMC) delegation of awarding
authority for military awards in accordance with references (B-G).
3.  Delegation of military awarding authority (non-combat).  Per
reference (B), the CMC is authorized by the Secretary of the Navy
(SECNAV) to award non-combat and non-combat heroism personal 
military decorations of the Legion of Merit (LM) and below to grades
E-1 through O-9 and to further delegate awarding authority to
subordinate commanders, per applicable laws and regulations.
3.a.  Awards not listed below will continue to be approved by SECNAV
or CMC.
3.a.1.  Awarding authority delegated to Marine commanders in grades
no lower than O-9:
3.a.1.a.  Legion of Merit (LM) for retirement only
3.a.1.b.  Legion of Merit with Remote Impact “R” device (L2)
3.a.1.c.  Distinguished Flying Cross (DX)
3.a.2.  Awarding authority delegated to Marine commanders in grades
no lower than O-7:
3.a.2.a.  Meritorious Service Medal (MM)
3.a.2.b.  Meritorious Service Medal with Remote Impact “R” device
(M2)
3.a.2.c.  Air Medal (Individual Action) (AF) for non-valor or
non-combat heroism
3.a.3.  Awarding authority delegated to Marine commanders in grades
no lower than O-6:
3.a.3.a.  Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (NC)
3.a.3.b.  Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Remote 
Impact "R" device (C2)
3.a.3.c.  Unit Certificate of Commendation (CT) for actions in which
the end of the action date is within the last three years
3.a.4.  Awarding authority delegated to Marine commanders in grades
no lower than O-5:
3.a.4.a.  Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (NA).
3.a.4.b.  Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Remote Impact
"R" device (N2).
3.a.4.c.  Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal(MOVSM).
3.a.4.d.  Individual Certificate of Commendation (CF) for actions in
which the end of action date is within the last three years.
3.a.5.  Awarding authority delegated to Recruiting Station 
Commanding Officers and Director, Marine Corps Recruiters School in
grades no lower than O-4:
3.a.5.a.  NA
3.a.5.b.  CF for which the end of action date is within the last 
three years
3.a.6.  Marine commanders in grades O-3 and above are delegated
authority to award the Meritorious Mast (MT) for actions during
their tenure in command.
3.b.  Campaign, Expeditionary, & Service (CE&S) medals or ribbons
may be entered into a Marine’s record when the criteria and
eligibility requirements outlined in reference (C) have been met
using official source documents and the appropriate awarding
authority recommends approval.
3.c.  The individual CF and MT may be awarded by any General Officer
to service members in the grades E-1 to O-6.
3.d.  Policy
3.d.1.  CMC may revoke awarding authority from Marine commanders at
any time for non-compliance with awards regulations.
3.d.2.  All awards approved by delegated awarding authorities must
be compliant with laws and regulations pertaining to military
awards.  All requests for exceptions to policy must be forwarded to
CMC for decision or endorsement, if requesting an exception to
policy.
3.d.3.  Officers exercising delegated awarding authorities are not
authorized to permit awards to be signed by another individual “By
direction” of the awarding authority.
4.  Delegation Of Military Awards Authority (Valor and Combat).  In
accordance with references (B) and (C), Marine Corps Component
Commanders supporting operations within their geographic area of
responsibility and meeting the following criteria are authorized to
award valor and combat awards:
4.a.  Military operations engaged in an action against an enemy of
the United States; or
4.b.  Military operations involving conflict with an opposing 
foreign force; or 
4.c.  Military operations with friendly foreign forces engaged in an
armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United
States is not a belligerent party.
4.d. Sub-delegation is authorized per references (B) and (C) and the
below restrictions:
4.d.1.  Sub-delegation authorized to commanders in grades no lower
than O-8:
4.d.1.a.  Bronze Star Medal (BS)
4.d.1.b.  Bronze Star Medal with “V” device (BV)
4.d.1.c.  Air Medal with “V” device (AH)
4.d.2.  Sub-delegation authorized to commanders in grades no lower
than O-7:
4.d.2.a.  Air Medal with “C” device (A1)
4.d.2.b.  Air Medal-Strike/Flight (AS)
4.d.2.c.  Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with “V” device
(CV)
4.d.2.d.  Combat Action Ribbon (CR)
4.d.3.  Sub-delegation authorized to commanders in grades no lower
than O-6:
4.d.3.a.  Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with “C” device
(C1)
4.d.3.b.  Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with “C” device
(N1)
4.e.  Sub-delegation Prohibited 
4.e.1.  Marine Corps Component Commanders are authorized to award
the Purple Heart (PH).
4.e.2.  Retroactive awarding authority for PH and CR
4.e.2.a.  Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command is
authorized to approve retroactive PH and CR in excess of previous
three years for actions or wounds received from 11 September 2001 to
30 August 2021.
4.e.2.b.  Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations
Command is authorized to approve retroactive PH and CR in excess of
previous three years for actions or wounds received from 19 April
2007 to 30 August 2021.
4.e.3.  If the Marine Corps Component Commander mentioned is in the
grade of O-9, they are authorized to award the Legion of Merit with
“C” device (L1) in cases of retirement only.  Sub-delegation is not
authorized.
4.e.4.  Awarding authority for any award to commanders outside
respective chains of command or the Department of the Navy, to
include the Army, Air Force, Joint, and foreign military commanders.
4.f.  Authority Retained by CMC or Higher Authorities.  The
following awarding authority is retained by CMC or above per
reference (B).
4.f.1.  Valor awards of the Silver Star Medal and above
4.f.2.  Distinguished Flying Cross with “C” (D1)
4.f.3.  Authority to award valor or combat awards to General 
Officers and Flag Officers
4.f.4.  Authority to approve the PH for wounds received in excess of
previous three years, except as authorized in paragraph 4.e.2.  
Retroactive and reclama requests for mild Traumatic Brain Injuries
(mTBI) sustained prior to 15 April 2011 will be retained by CMC
4.f.5.  Authority to approve the CR for actions that occurred in
excess of previous three years from the action date, except as
authorized in paragraph 4.e.2  
4.f.6.  Authority to approve valor and combat awards outside of the
time limits 
4.f.7.  Authority to approve valor and combat awards for operations
not listed in reference (C)
4.f.8.  Authority to approve valor and combat awards for foreign
military service members
4.f.9.  Authority to approve L1, except as noted in paragraph 4.e.3.
4.g.  Commanders who have not been delegated authority to approve 
combat and valor awards for their personnel may submit award 
recommendations to the CMC or higher awarding authority via the 
chain of command.
4.h.  Marine Corps Component Commanders meeting the criteria to be
delegated valor and combat awarding authority must request improved
Awards Processing System (iAPS) permissions in writing to the 
Military Awards Section (MMPB-3).  The request must indicate the
combat operations under the cognizance of the Component Command.
4.i.  If the Marine Corps Component Commanders sub-delegate combat
and valor awarding authority to their respective subordinate 
commanders, MMPB-3 must be notified via naval letter.  Upon
notification, MMPB-3 will grant appropriate permissions in the 
iAPS.
5.  Awards to foreign military personnel.  Per reference (G) SECNAV
delegated CMC the authority to approve NC and NA for foreign
military personnel.  For NC only O-6 equivalent and below personnel
are eligible.  For NA only O-4 equivalent and below personnel are
eligible.  There are no changes to the processes or procedures for
the submission of award recommendations for foreign military
personnel.  CMC retains approval authority for all NC and NA 
recommendations to foreign military personnel.
6.  Letter of Appreciation (LA) and Certificate of Appreciation (CE)
LA is issued by a commissioned officer or GS-11 senior in rank or
billet to recognize an individual's contributions that do not rise
to the level of a MT or CF.  Service members in grades E1 to O6 may
be awarded the LA. CE is for all other commendatory correspondence
not falling into another Marine Corps Specific Recognition category.
For example, a letter from a town mayor that commends a Marine for
volunteer work. These award types may be put into iAPS by anyone as
long as the end date of the meritorious period is within the past 
three years. For LA and CE outside of three years please submit to
MMPB-3.
7.  Awarding Authority Policy
7.a.  All awards approved by those with delegated awarding authority
must be compliant with laws and regulations pertaining to military
awards.
7.b.  Awarding authority may be granted to frocked commanders
commensurate with the grade to which selected.  The frocking
authorization letter must be provided to CMC, MMPB-3 in order to 
grant awarding authority in iAPS to approve awards for the frocked
grade. 
7.c.  No commanders exercising delegated awarding authority are
authorized to sub-delegate awarding authority except as outlined in
paragraph 4.d above. 
7.d.  For Commanders to be granted awarding authority in iAPS, the
command must provide the Assumption of Command (AoC) letter or
directive to CMC, MMMA with the Commander's full name, rank, EDIPI,
Unit Name, and iAPS Unit Identification Code (UIC).  Email the AoC
as a PDF to MMPB-3 after the commander has been joined to the iAPS
UIC.
7.e.  Officers fulfilling the role of "Acting" commander during the
absence of the appointed or slated commander will only be granted
awarding authority commensurate with their own grade and the
awarding authority grade limitations of the references and this
MARADMIN.  Awarding authority permissions for acting commanders
will only be granted in iAPS if the period of absence of the
appointed or slated commander is greater than 30 days.
8.  Release authorized by MajGen Ryan S. Rideout, Director, Manpower
Management Division.//