§ 578.12a - Joint Service Commendation Medal.

Department of Defense Directive 1348.14, 25 June 1963, established the Joint Service Commendation Medal This decoration is awarded in the name of the Secretary of Defense and shall take precedence with, but before, the Army Commendation Medal when both are worn on the uniform. The decoration is not awarded to any individual for a period of service for which another meritorious decoration has been awarded.

(a) Eligibility. Any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who distinguishes himself by meritorious achievement or service while serving in any assignment specified in paragraph (b) of this section after 1 January 1963 is eligible for this award. The required achievement or service, while of lesser degree than that required for award of the Legion of Merit, must nevertheless have been accomplished with distinction.

(b) Joint activities. Military personnel assigned to the following joint activities are eligible for the award:

(1) Office of the Secretary of Defense.

(2) Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

(3) Defense Supply Agency.

(4) National Security Agency.

(5) Other Department of Defense agencies or joint activities reporting through the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

(6) Headquarters, unified and special commands.

(7) Headquarters of joint task forces, joint commands or control groups, reporting through the Joint Chiefs of Staff, unified, specified or subordinate joint commanders, to include service components assigned to a joint command for exercise purposes (e.g., STRIKE Command).

(8) Other joint activities reporting to commanders of unified or specified commands (e.g., Military Assistance Advisory Groups or Joint Missions).