§ 578.60 - Army Superior Unit Award.

(a) Criteria. The Army Superior Unit Award (ASUA) was created in 1985 to recognize outstanding meritorious performance of a unit during peacetime of a difficult and challenging mission under extraordinary circumstances. Circumstances may be deemed to be extraordinary when they do not represent the typical day-to-day circumstances under which the unit normally performs, or may reasonably be expected to perform, its peacetime mission. The following additional criteria also applies:

(1) The unit must display such outstanding devotion and superior performance of exceptionally difficult tasks as to set the unit apart from and above other units with similar missions. For the purpose of this award, peacetime is defined as any period during which wartime or combat awards are not authorized in the geographical area in which the mission was executed. The ASUA may be awarded to units that distinguish themselves while conducting humanitarian missions for a minimum of 30 days, however, the ASUA will not be awarded if the same act or period of service has already been recognized by another unit award.

(2) The award applies to both TO&E units and TDA organizations of battalion size or equivalent. TDA organizations may be considered for this award, even if comprised mostly of civilians. As an exception to policy, organizations larger than battalion equivalent size may also be submitted, but the submitting headquarters must take care to highlight the logic associated with the request to justify an exception to policy.

(b) Approval authority. The approval authority for the ASUA is the Deputy Chief of Staff (DCS), G-1. Recommendations for award of the ASUA will be forwarded to Commander, USA HRC, ATTN: AHRC-PDO-PA, Alexandria, VA 22332-0471, for processing to the DCS, G-1 for final action.

(c) Award elements. The award elements for the ASUA are as follows: ASUA Streamer; ASUA Emblem; ASUA Certificate and Citation; DAGO; Army Superior Unit Award Lapel Pin. The lapel pin is authorized for issue and wear by Department of the Army civilians in the employ of the decorated unit. Those individuals employed with the unit during the cited period may wear the lapel pin permanently. Those currently employed with a decorated unit, but who were not employed during the cited period may wear the lapel pin on a temporary basis as long as they remain employed by the unit. The lapel pin is also authorized for optional purchase and wear on civilian clothing by qualified military personnel. Permanent and temporary wear is governed by the provisions of AR 670-1.

(d) Description. The ASUA emblem is 17/16 inches wide and 9/16 inch in height. The emblem consists of a 1/16 inch wide gold frame with laurel leaves which encloses a ribbon of the following pattern: 17/32 inch scarlet 67111; 1/32 inch yellow 67103; 1/4 inch green 67129; 1/32 inch yellow 67103; and 17/32 inch scarlet 67111. The streamers are the same pattern as the emblem ribbon.