Civilian decorations of the United States
Encyclopedia
Civilian decorations of the United States are civil decoration
s of the United States of America which are bestowed by various agencies of the United States government for acts of accomplishment benefiting the nation as a whole. Contrary to the awards and decorations of the United States military
, U.S. civilian decorations are typically issued for sustained meritorious service over a period of time rather than for a specific heroic or meritorious act.
United States civilian awards are issued by federal
, state
, and local
authorities with the most recognizable decorations issued on the federal level. Certain other civilian decorations may be authorized for wear on U.S. military uniforms, upon approval of the military service departments. Each of the military branches also maintains their own series of civilian decorations separate from military awards.
The following is a listing of articles pertaining to United States civilian decorations.
Civil decoration
A civil decoration is a decoration awarded to civilians for distinguished service. Military personnel might also be eligible for services of a non-military nature...
s of the United States of America which are bestowed by various agencies of the United States government for acts of accomplishment benefiting the nation as a whole. Contrary to the awards and decorations of the United States military
Awards and decorations of the United States military
Awards and decorations of the United States Military are military decorations which recognize service and personal accomplishments while a member of the United States armed forces...
, U.S. civilian decorations are typically issued for sustained meritorious service over a period of time rather than for a specific heroic or meritorious act.
United States civilian awards are issued by federal
Federal government of the United States
The federal government of the United States is the national government of the constitutional republic of fifty states that is the United States of America. The federal government comprises three distinct branches of government: a legislative, an executive and a judiciary. These branches and...
, state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
, and local
Local government
Local government refers collectively to administrative authorities over areas that are smaller than a state.The term is used to contrast with offices at nation-state level, which are referred to as the central government, national government, or federal government...
authorities with the most recognizable decorations issued on the federal level. Certain other civilian decorations may be authorized for wear on U.S. military uniforms, upon approval of the military service departments. Each of the military branches also maintains their own series of civilian decorations separate from military awards.
The following is a listing of articles pertaining to United States civilian decorations.
Federal government
- Awards and decorations of the United States governmentAwards and decorations of the United States governmentAwards and decorations of the United States government are civilian awards of the U.S. federal government which are typically issued for sustained meritorious service, in a civilian capacity, while serving in the U.S. federal government. Certain U.S...
- Awards and decorations of the United States Merchant Marine
State government
- Awards and decorations of the National GuardAwards and decorations of the National GuardAwards and decorations of the National Guard are presented to members of the United States National Guard and sometimes to members of the State Defense Forces in addition to regular United States military decorations...
- Awards and decorations of the State Defense ForcesAwards and decorations of the State Defense ForcesAwards and decorations of the state defense forces are presented to members of the state defense forces in addition to regular United States military decorations and state National Guard military decorations...
Other organizations
- Awards and decorations of the Naval Sea Cadet Corps
- Awards and decorations of the Civil Air PatrolAwards and decorations of the Civil Air PatrolThe awards and decorations of the Civil Air Patrol are "designed to recognize heroism, service, and program achievements" of members of the Civil Air Patrol of the United States of America. The CAP is the official auxiliary of the United States Air Force, and these awards are made to improve the...
- Cadet awards of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets
- Cadet awards of the Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets
- MedalsAdvancement and recognition in the Boy Scouts of AmericaAdvancement and recognition in the Boy Scouts of America is a tradition dating from the inception of the Scouting movement. A fundamental purpose of advancement is the self-confidence a young man or woman acquires from his participation in Scouting...
and badgesMerit badge (Boy Scouts of America)Merit badges are awards earned by youth members of the Boy Scouts of America , based on activities within an area of study by completing a list of periodically updated requirements. The purpose of the merit badge program is to allow Scouts to examine subjects to determine if they would like to...
of the Boy Scouts of AmericaBoy Scouts of AmericaThe Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...