Secretary of Defense Exceptional Civilian Service Award
Encyclopedia
The Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service is the Office of the Secretary of Defense
’s (OSD) highest level career award and its only medaled award.
Career civilian employees of the OSD, the Department of Defense
, and the Federal government are eligible.
and the Deputy Secretary of Defense
; the Under Secretaries of Defense; or one of the Assistant Secretaries of Defense who report directly to the Secretary of Defense, etc.)
This award was established to recognize civilian employees covered by this Instruction who have distinguished themselves by exceptional service to the Secretary of Defense or a Component within the Office of the Secretary of Defense
. This award consists of a medal, lapel pin, and citation signed by the Secretary or Head of an OSD Component. An employee may receive this award more than once during his or her career. Subsequent awards consist of the foregoing recognition devices and a bronze, silver, or gold palm, as appropriate.
Career civilian employees covered by this Instruction. Nominees shall have served a minimum of three (3) years in an organization receiving operational support from the Washington Headquarters Services
' Directorate for Personnel and Security Customer Support Operating Office or in the Joint Staff, or a combination of the two.
It is important to note that in lieu of the OSD Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service, the Office of the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Public Service Award is presented to those 'non-career civilian employees, private citizens, and foreign nationals', for their contributions, assistance, or support who do not derive his or her principal livelihood from U.S. Government
employment. It is OSD’s highest level non-career award and its only medaled award.
Office of the Secretary of Defense
The Office of the Secretary of Defense is a headquarters-level staff of the Department of Defense of the United States of America. It is the principal civilian staff element of the Secretary of Defense, and it assists the Secretary in carrying out authority, direction and control of the Department...
’s (OSD) highest level career award and its only medaled award.
Career civilian employees of the OSD, the Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
, and the Federal government are eligible.
Approval
Approval must be granted from the Head of an OSD Component (e.g., the Secretary of DefenseUnited States Secretary of Defense
The Secretary of Defense is the head and chief executive officer of the Department of Defense of the United States of America. This position corresponds to what is generally known as a Defense Minister in other countries...
and the Deputy Secretary of Defense
United States Deputy Secretary of Defense
The Deputy Secretary of Defense is the second-highest ranking official in the Department of Defense of the United States of America. The Deputy Secretary of Defense is appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate...
; the Under Secretaries of Defense; or one of the Assistant Secretaries of Defense who report directly to the Secretary of Defense, etc.)
This award was established to recognize civilian employees covered by this Instruction who have distinguished themselves by exceptional service to the Secretary of Defense or a Component within the Office of the Secretary of Defense
Office of the Secretary of Defense
The Office of the Secretary of Defense is a headquarters-level staff of the Department of Defense of the United States of America. It is the principal civilian staff element of the Secretary of Defense, and it assists the Secretary in carrying out authority, direction and control of the Department...
. This award consists of a medal, lapel pin, and citation signed by the Secretary or Head of an OSD Component. An employee may receive this award more than once during his or her career. Subsequent awards consist of the foregoing recognition devices and a bronze, silver, or gold palm, as appropriate.
Career civilian employees covered by this Instruction. Nominees shall have served a minimum of three (3) years in an organization receiving operational support from the Washington Headquarters Services
Washington Headquarters Services
Washington Headquarters Services was established as a U.S. Department of Defense Field Activity on October 1, 1977 as part of a DoD headquarters streamlining initiative. Approximately 1,300 WHS staff are organized into 7 Directorates and 2 Offices...
' Directorate for Personnel and Security Customer Support Operating Office or in the Joint Staff, or a combination of the two.
It is important to note that in lieu of the OSD Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service, the Office of the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Public Service Award is presented to those 'non-career civilian employees, private citizens, and foreign nationals', for their contributions, assistance, or support who do not derive his or her principal livelihood from U.S. Government
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...
employment. It is OSD’s highest level non-career award and its only medaled award.