The Army Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) is awarded to members of Task Force 28 who distinguish themselves by extraordinary heroism during combat operations. As the unit’s highest award for valor, it recognizes rare acts of courage, selflessness, and decisive action performed in the face of great danger. This decoration is reserved for members whose conduct clearly sets them apart from their peers and directly preserves the force, saves lives, or changes the outcome of a mission.

Eligibility and Criteria:

• Awarded for extraordinary heroism during combat or combat-related operational missions.
• The act must involve clear personal risk and voluntary action in the face of severe danger.
• The member’s actions must go far beyond normal expectations of duty, courage, and professionalism.
• The act must have directly contributed to saving lives, preserving the force, or decisively affecting mission success.
• The recipient’s conduct must clearly distinguish them from fellow members through exceptional bravery, initiative, and devotion to duty.
• This award is reserved for rare and exceptional acts of valor and will not be issued for routine leadership, participation, or sustained service.

The Defense Distinguished Service Medal (DDSM) is awarded to members of Task Force 28 who distinguish themselves through exceptionally meritorious service in a position of great responsibility at the highest levels of the task force. This decoration is intended to recognize rare, sustained leadership and service whose impact reaches beyond a single unit or operation and materially strengthens the task force as a whole. Within TF28, it should be reserved for the most senior leaders whose judgment, stewardship, and long-term contribution fundamentally shape the force, its readiness, and its success.

Eligibility and Criteria:

• Awarded for exceptionally meritorious service performed over a sustained period of time.
• Service must be rendered in a position of great responsibility with broad influence over the task force or a major subordinate element.
• The member’s contribution must have a lasting and force-wide impact on readiness, command climate, mission success, or long-term development.
• Reserved primarily for senior commanders, senior staff leaders, and other key personnel whose service clearly exceeds normal expectations for rank and billet.
• This award is intended for sustained distinguished service, not a single combat action, routine leadership, or ordinary administrative performance.
• The DDSM should be awarded rarely and only when the member’s service clearly places them among the most influential leaders in Task Force 28.

The Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) is awarded to members of Task Force 28 who distinguish themselves by exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility. In real Army use, it is a senior-level service decoration for clearly exceptional service, not combat valor, and not simply performing normal duties well. It sits below the Defense Distinguished Service Medal in precedence, which helps make it the cleaner Army-focused distinguished service award inside TF28.

Eligibility and Criteria:

• Awarded for exceptionally meritorious service performed over a sustained period of time.
• Service must be rendered in a duty of great responsibility with significant impact on the unit, a major subordinate element, or the task force as a whole.
• The member’s performance must be clearly exceptional and far beyond what would normally be expected in the billet.
• Exceptional performance of normal duties by itself does not justify this award.
• This award is intended for sustained distinguished service, not a single act of combat heroism, routine attendance, or ordinary leadership.
• The DSM should be awarded rarely and reserved for those whose service materially strengthens the long-term readiness, command climate, or development of Task Force 28. This last point is my recommendation for TF28’s internal use.

The Silver Star is awarded to members of Task Force 28 who distinguish themselves by gallantry in action against an enemy during combat operations. In real Army use, it is a high-level valor decoration, not a service or achievement award, and it sits below the Distinguished Service Cross in precedence. That makes it a strong fit in TF28 as a rare award for battlefield bravery that is clearly exceptional, but not at the near-unmatched level required for the DSC.

Eligibility and Criteria:

• Awarded for gallantry in action during combat or combat-related operational missions.
• The act must involve marked personal courage and decisive action in the face of danger.
• The member’s conduct must clearly rise above normal expectations of duty and reflect exceptional battlefield bravery.
• The action should have a direct and meaningful effect on the success of the mission, preservation of the force, or survival of fellow members.
• This award is intended for heroism in combat, not sustained service, routine leadership, or ordinary strong performance.
• The Silver Star should be awarded rarely and only for acts that clearly distinguish the member from others present during the action.

The Defense Superior Service Medal (DSSM) recognizes members of Task Force 28 who perform exceptionally meritorious service in positions of significant responsibility during joint operations or assignments. This award honors sustained superior performance that materially contributes to the success, readiness, and effectiveness of multiple milsim units.

Eligibility and Criteria:

• Planning, organizing, or executing joint operations or exercises.
• Improving coordination, communication, or operational effectiveness among multiple units.
• Mentoring or leading members in a manner that significantly enhances unit performance or readiness.

The Legion of Merit (LOM) recognizes members of Task Force 28 who render exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services or achievements. This award honors sustained superior performance that significantly enhances the effectiveness, readiness, and professional standards of the unit.

Eligibility and Criteria:

• Leadership or management that improves unit efficiency, readiness, or capability.
• Mentoring, training, or developing members in a manner that strengthens the unit.
• Planning or executing operations, exercises, or initiatives that have significant impact on unit

The Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) recognizes members of Task Force 28 who distinguish themselves by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial operations or missions. This award honors acts that demonstrate exceptional skill, courage, and performance in flight that materially contribute to mission success.

Eligibility and Criteria:

• Conducting aerial operations under challenging or high-risk conditions.
• Performing exceptional leadership, decision-making, or initiative during missions.
• Executing flight maneuvers or operations that significantly advance mission objectives.

The Soldier’s Medal recognizes members of [Unit Name] who distinguish themselves by heroism or acts of personal bravery not involving direct combat with an enemy. This award honors courage, initiative, and selfless actions that preserve life or protect the unit during non-combat situations.

NEEDS CHANGED

Eligibility and Criteria:

• Rescuing or aiding fellow members during accidents or emergencies.
• Taking decisive action to prevent injury, loss, or damage during training or operations.
• Exhibiting selfless initiative under hazardous circumstances that clearly distinguishes them from peers.

The Bronze Star Medal (BSM) recognizes members of Task Force 28 who distinguish themselves by heroic or meritorious achievement or service while participating in operational missions. This award honors acts that demonstrate courage, skill, and commitment that materially contribute to mission success.

Eligibility and Criteria:

• Leading or performing critical tasks that directly contribute to mission success.
• Demonstrating courage, initiative, or exceptional skill under challenging conditions.
• Executing duties that significantly enhance operational effectiveness or unit performance.

The Purple Heart recognizes members of Task Force 28 who are wounded or sustain injuries while participating in operational missions or engagements. This award honors the personal sacrifice and bravery demonstrated by those who are injured in the line of duty.

NEEDS CHANGED

Eligibility and Criteria:

• Participation in operational missions, exercises, or combat simulations.
• Actions taken under hazardous or high-risk conditions that are part of unit operations.
• Incidents directly linked to performance of duty.
• The circumstances of the injury must reflect service, sacrifice, and commitment to the mission.