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Authorized by E.O. 11545
The Defense Distinguished Service Medal (DDSM) shall only be awarded to officers of the Armed Forces
of the United States whose exceptional performance of duty and contributions to
national security or defense have been at the highest levels. Such officers have direct
and ultimate responsibility for a major activity or program that significantly influences
the policies of the U.S. Government. Only under the most unusual circumstances will
the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (DDSM) be awarded as an impact award for outstanding TDY achievement. The
Defense Distinguished Service Medal (DDSM) is specifically intended to recognize exceptionally distinguished service and to
honor an individual's accomplishments over a sustained period.
Normally, such broad responsibilities shall be held by only the
most senior officers whose duties bring them into direct and frequent contact with the
Secretary of Defense and the other senior officials within the Government. Examples
of such positions are the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; the Chiefs and the Vice
Chiefs of the Military Services, including the Commandant and the Assistant
Commandant of the Marine Corps; and the CINCs and the Deputy CINCs of the Unified
Combatant Commands.
The Defense Distinguished Service Medal (DDSM) also may be awarded to other senior officers who
serve in positions of great responsibility, or to an officer whose direct and individual
contributions to national security or defense are recognized as being so exceptional in
scope and value as to be equivalent to contributions normally associated with positions
encompassing broader responsibilities.
The Defense Distinguished Service Medal (DDSM), as the highest Defense decoration, may only be awarded
by the Secretary of Defense. Under no circumstances may the awarding authority be
delegated.
The Defense Distinguished Service Medal (DDSM) shall be placed in precedence after the Medal of Honor (MOH) and the
Distinguished Service Crosses of the Armed Forces, but before the Distinguished
Service Medals of the Armed Forces.
All recommendations for award of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (DDSM) to members of the
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, or the Unified Combatant Command
Headquarters or activities reporting to or through the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, shall be processed through the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, for
recommendation. These recommendations shall not be boarded at the Joint Staff
level. The Director, Joint Staff, for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, shall
forward his recommendations to the Chief, Military Personnel Division, Personnel and
Security Directorate, WHS, for boarding and processing. Recommendations should be
submitted to arrive at the Joint Staff no later than 90 days before the desired
presentation date.
All other recommendations for award of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (DDSM) shall be
submitted to the Chief, Military Personnel Division, Personnel and Security Directorate,
Washington Headquarters Services (WHS), for boarding and processing.
Recommendations should be submitted to the WHS no later than 90 days before the
desired presentation date.
Authorized Devices: Bronze Oak Leaf, Silver Oak Leaf |
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