Department of Defense
INSTRUCTION
NUMBER 1348.19
February 3, 2014
USD(P&R)
SUBJECT: Award of Medals, Trophies, Badges, and Similar Honors in Recognition of
Accomplishments
References: See Enclosure 1
1. PURPOSE. This instruction reissues DoD Directive 1348.19 (Reference (a)) as a DoD
instruction in accordance with the authority in DoD Directive 5124.02 (Reference (b)) and
implements section 1125 of Title 10, United States Code (Reference (c)) to establish policy,
assign responsibilities, and prescribe procedures for awarding medals, trophies, badges, and
similar honors to members, units, or agencies of the Military Services and DoD units for
excellence in accomplishments or Service-related competitions.
2. APPLICABILITY. This instruction applies to OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of
the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the
Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD
Field Activities, and all other organizational entities within the DoD (referred to collectively in
this instruction as the “DoD Components”).
3. POLICY. It is DoD policy that:
a. Medals, trophies, badges, and similar honors will be awarded as uniformly as possible.
b. Accomplishments or competitions recognized in accordance with this instruction will be
officially established and announced, and should recur regularly.
c. Awards may be given on a one-time basis where the accomplishment is unique and clearly
contributes to increased effectiveness or efficiency of service.
d. Cash prizes awarded in accordance with Subchapter 451 of DoD Instruction 1400.25
(Reference (d)) are specifically excluded from this instruction.
