Awards and decorationsof the Texas Military are medals, ribbons, badges, tabs, trophies, plaques, certificates, memorials, monuments, holidays, and general honors that recognize service and achievement in the Texas Military Forces. [1]
The Texas Military Department medal and ribbon awards are governed by the Texas Government Code (Chapter 437, Subchapter H) and Joint Force Texas Regulation (1-07). [2] [1] Because Texas Military Forces existence is authorized under Title 32 of the United States Code, wear and precedence of medals and ribbons on the service uniform and duty uniform is governed by the United States Department of the Army Pamphlet regulation 670-1. [3]
Because Texas National Guard service members are also subject to Title 10 of the United States Code, they are also authorized to wear and eligible to earn awards, decorations, and badges of the United States National Guard and United States Armed Forces. [4]
Texas State Guard service members who previously earned awards, decorations, and badges of the United States National Guard and United States Armed Forces are authorized to wear them. [4]
Because Texas Military Forces existence is authorized under Title 32 of the United States Code, precedence of medals and ribbons on the service uniform and duty uniform is governed by the Department of Defense Instruction 1348.33 and United States Department of the Army Pamphlet regulation 670-1. [3]
Like the United States Armed Forces, Texas Military medals and ribbons are distinctly categorized by general service and achievement awards, and distinguished service and achievement decorations, which is reflected in the order of precedence. [1]
General order of precedence:
Because Texas National Guard service members are also subject to Title 10 of the United States Code, they are also authorized to wear, and eligible to earn, medals and ribbons of the United States National Guard and United States Armed Forces. Texas State Guard service members who previously earned medals and ribbons of the United States National Guard and United States Armed Forces are authorized to wear them. [1]
The following is a list of medals and ribbons from the Texas Military. They are distinctly categorized by distinguished service and achievement decorations, and general service and achievement awards, which is reflected by the order of precedence. It is generally stated that decorations are conferred and awards are issued.
Decorations | |
---|---|
Texas Medal of Honor | |
Texas Medal of Valor | |
Texas Purple Heart | |
Texas Superior Service Medal | |
Texas Distinguished Service Medal | |
Texas Outstanding Service Medal | |
Texas Medal of Merit | |
Texas Adjutant General's Individual Award | |
Texas State Guard Exemplary Service Medal | |
Texas State Guard Meritorious Service Ribbon | |
Texas State Guard Commendation Medal | |
Texas State Guard Achievement Medal | |
Texas Commanding General's Individual Award | |
Texas State Guard Good Conduct Medal | |
Texas Recruiting Ribbon | |
Decoration Appurtenances | |
Gold Twig Device | |
Silver Twig Device | |
Enameled Star Device | |
Bronze Twig Device | |
Bronze Valor Device | |
Silver Acorn Device | |
Bronze Acorn Device | |
Campaign and Service Awards | |
Texas Federal Service Medal | |
Texas Afghanistan Campaign Medal | |
Texas Iraqi Campaign Medal | |
Texas Desert Shield/Desert Storm Campaign Medal | |
Texas Humanitarian Service Ribbon | |
Texas Homeland Defense Service Medal | |
Texas Border Security and Support Service Ribbon | |
Texas Combat Service Ribbon | |
Texas Cavalry Service Medal | |
Texas Cold War Medal | |
Texas Faithful Service Medal | |
Texas Service Medal | |
Service and Training Awards | |
Officer Professional Development Ribbon | |
Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon | |
Basic Training Ribbon | |
Physical Fitness Ribbon | |
Unit Awards | |
Texas Governor's Unit Citation | |
Texas Meritorious Unit Award | |
Organizational Excellence Award | |
Award Appurtenances | |
Silver Star Device | |
Bronze Star Device | |
Bronze Cactus Leaf Device | |
Bronze Numerals |
Because Texas National Guard service members are also subject to Title 10 of the United States Code, they are also authorized to wear, and eligible to earn, Military badges of the United States. Texas State Guard service members who previously earned Military badges of the United States are authorized to wear them. [1]
The following is a list of badges from the Texas Military:
3rd Class Diver Badge TMD-TXSG MOS 1374-20 | |
Dive Medic Badge TMD-TXSG MOS 1374-DMTI | |
2nd Class Diver Badge TMD-TXSG MOS 1374-30 | |
1st Class Diver Badge TMD-TXSG MOS 1374-40 | |
Master Diver Badge TMD-TXSG MOS 1374-50 | |
Dive Officer Badge TMD-TXSG MOS 1374-5V | |
Crewman Boat Operator Badge TMD-TXSG MOS 21-B-20 | |
Coxswain Boat Operator Badge TMD-TXSG MOS 21-B-30 | |
Master Boat Operator Badge TMD-TXSG MOS 21-B-40 | |
Basic Military Emergency Management Specialist Badge | |
Expert Medical Badge | |
Engineer Officer Badge | |
Engineer Specialist Badge | |
Operation Deployment Badge Flash |
Governor's Twenty Tab | |
Honor Guard Tab | |
MEMS Academy Tab |
The Hall of Honor was established by the Texas Military Department in 1980 to "recognize outstanding service and leadership" of Texas Military Forces service members operating under state or federal command. As of 2018, it has 120 inductees. [5]
It is hosted by the Texas Military Forces Museum at Camp Mabry. It is both an exhibit with a digital kiosk that showcases inductee biographies, and an eponymous conference center that may be rented for conventions or banquets. Inductees also receive a trophy, which has varied in type since 1980.
The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame was established in 1964 to recognize service members who "significantly contributed to the development of the service or died heroically in the line of duty." As of 2019, it has 31 inductees — 24 of which served under the Texas Military Department. [6] The Texas Rangers were a branch of the Texas Military Forces from 1835 to 1935, providing cavalry, special operations, and military police capabilities. Administrative control (ADCON) of the Texas Rangers was transferred from the Texas Military Department to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) in 1935. Under DPS, the Texas Rangers perform duties similar to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for Texas as a State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).
The Texas State Cemetery was established by the Fifth Texas Legislature in 1854 as the burial site for General Edward Burleson in Austin. It is considered the "Arlington of Texas." It was extensively expanded after the American Civil War for the burial of 2,000 officers and their wives. It has expanded over the ensuing years for the burial of "prominent" Texans. It is operated by the Texas State Preservation Board but remains predominately occupied by Texas military service members. [7]
By request of a descendant or estate executor, the Texas Military Department provides any service member of the Texas Military Forces a military funeral and grave marker modeled on the ceremony and style provided to service members of the United States Armed Forces. [8] Exact details are outlined in Texas Government Code 437.215. It was established via Texas Senate Bill 1536 sponsored by Senator Leticia Van de Putte on 01 September 2013. [9]
Texas Military Heroes Week is an annual memorial holiday from February 5-11th that encourages "all Texans to recognize and honor those who have secured our freedom throughout the generations and those who are defending it still...During the first full week of February, we honor all who have sacrificed and served on behalf of the Lone Star State. No matter the battle, no matter the branch, no matter the job – they deserve our gratitude and reverence." [10] It was established via Executive Proclamation by Commander-in-Chief Greg Abbott on 28 January 2023, [10] which replaces Texas Military Heroes Day (aka "Chris Kyle Day") established on 2 February 2016. [11]
Women Veterans Month was established by Greg Abbott on March 1, 2023. It dedicates the month of March to "celebrate the women who have served our nation and to rededicate ourselves to the timeless ideals for which they valiantly fought." [12]
Special Forces Day is an annual memorial holiday on June 28 that "honors the men and women who have served in the special operations forces..to be regularly observed by appropriate ceremonies." It was established on May 16, 2023, during the Eighty-eighth Texas Legislature in House Bill 2499 sponsored by Cecil Bell and Brandon Creighton. [13]
The Gonzales Cup is the top award of the Commander's Small Unit Excellence Challenge, an annual, two-day team and individual competition that tests core skills and physical endurance of Texas State Guard service members. It was established in 2013 and its namesake is the Battle of Gonzales. [15]
The 300 Club is an unofficial award colloquially referred to by service members who achieve the maximum score of 300 points in the Army Physical Fitness Test. While it is universally recognized among the Texas Army National Guard, Texas Air National Guard, and Texas State Guard, there is no official list that documents its members. It is generally an esprit de corps tradition at the unit level.
Unit level awards that may be worn on a service or duty uniform are authorized as a military tradition in United States Department of the Army Pamphlet regulation 670-1 at the discretion of the commanding officer.
The Honor Graduate award, officially the BG Thomas C. Hamilton Distinguished Honor Graduate and formerly the MG Raymond C. Peters Distinguished Honor Graduate, is the top award of the Texas State Guard Officer Candidate School (OCS). It is awarded to graduates of the Officer Candidate Course (OCC) based on their combined Leadership, Academic, Physical Fitness, and Peer Evaluation performance. [16]
The award was established in 2003 by COL Mervyn J. Doherty when he established Officer Candidate School. Its first given namesake was the commanding general of the Texas State Guard, MG Raymond C. Peters, in 2009. It was renamed after BG Thomas C. Hamilton in 2014, who redesigned the school in 2010. [17]
The Crucible MVP award, officially the Final Field Training Exercise Most Valuable Player Award, is the second highest award of the Texas State Guard Officer Candidate School (OCS). It is awarded to candidates of the Officer Candidate Course (OCC) final field training exercise based on their combined Leadership, Academic, and Physical Fitness performance during the exercise.
The award was established in 2014 by CPT H. Lee Burton and its namesake is week 10 of United States Marine Corps Recruit Training, for which the exercise mirrors.
The Honor Graduate award, officially the COL Stephen B. Springer Academic Excellence Award is the top award of the Texas State Guard Command and General Staff College. It is awarded to graduates based on their academic performance. [18]
The award was established in 2014 by COL Stephen B. Springer when he established the Commander and General Staff College. It was given his namesake in 2015.
Texas Military Department Awards:
The Bronze Star Medal (BSM) is a United States Armed Forces decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone.
The Legion of Merit (LOM) is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. The decoration is issued to members of the eight uniformed services of the United States as well as to military and political figures of foreign governments.
The Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. Each branch of the United States Armed Forces issues its own version of the Commendation Medal, with a fifth version existing for acts of joint military service performed under the Department of Defense.
The awards and decorations of the United States Armed Forces include various medals, service ribbons, ribbon devices, and specific badges which recognize military service and personal accomplishments of members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Such awards are a means to outwardly display the highlights of a service member's career.
The Civil War Campaign Medal is considered the first campaign service medal of the United States Armed Forces. The decoration was awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who had served in the American Civil War between 1861 and 1865.
The National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) is a service award of the United States Armed Forces established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953. It was awarded to every member of the U.S. Armed Forces who served during any one of four specified periods of armed conflict or national emergency from June 27, 1950 through December 31, 2022. Combat or "in theater" service is not a requirement for the award.
A "V" device is a metal 1⁄4-inch (6.4 mm) capital letter "V" with serifs which, when worn on certain decorations awarded by the United States Armed Forces, distinguishes a decoration awarded for combat valor or heroism from the same decoration being awarded for a member's actions under circumstances other than combat.
The Armed Forces Reserve Medal (AFRM) is a service medal of the United States Armed Forces that has existed since 1958. The medal recognizes service performed by members of the reserve components and is awarded to both officers and enlisted personnel. The medal is considered a successor award to the Naval Reserve Medal and the Marine Corps Reserve Ribbon, which were discontinued in 1958 and 1965, respectively.
The Cold War Victory Medal is not an official medal of the United States federal government, but is a state National Guard medal in Louisiana and Texas, and in ribbon form only by the State of Alaska, for those who served in their positions honorably during the years of the Cold War, defined as lasting from September 2, 1945 to December 26, 1991. In the medal's unofficial capacity it can be purchased, but not worn in uniform.
The Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal also known as the Vietnam Civil Actions Medal or Civil Actions Medal, is a military decoration of the former South Vietnamese government (1955–75). The medal was created on May 12, 1964 during the Vietnam War. The Civil Actions Medal was awarded to the South Vietnamese military and its allies' military personnel or units that performed outstanding achievements in the field of civil affairs. The medal was awarded in two classes, with the first-class intended for commissioned officers and the second class for enlisted personnel. Individuals who were cited received the medal, ribbon, and a citation.
Badges of the United States Army are military decorations issued by the United States Department of the Army to soldiers who achieve a variety of qualifications and accomplishments while serving on active and reserve duty in the United States Army.
The orders and decorations conferred upon civilians and military personnel in the Republic of the Philippines are listed by orders of precedence. Philippine civilian orders and decorations are conferred by the President of the Philippines in his or her capacity as head of state. In certain instances, the conferment of certain orders and decorations requires the concurrence of the Congress of the Philippines, or of certain advisory bodies.
The United States military inter-service awards and decorations are those medals and ribbons which may be awarded to all members of the six military branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Each military department awards inter-service awards under the same criteria.
Authorized foreign decorations of the United States military are those military decorations which have been approved for wear by members of the United States armed forces but whose awarding authority is the government of a country other than the United States.
The Philippine Presidential Unit citation Badge is a unit decoration of the Republic of the Philippines. It has been awarded to certain units of the United States military and the Philippine Commonwealth military for actions both during and subsequent to the Second World War.
Awards 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. Each of the state governments of the United States maintains a series of decorations for issuance to members of the state defense forces, with such awards presented under the authority of the various state adjutants general and/or respective state defense force commanders.
The Texas State Guard (TXSG) is part of the state military force of Texas, and one of three branches of the Texas Military Forces. Along with the other two branches, the TXSG falls under the command of the Governor of Texas and is administered by the Adjutant General of Texas, an appointee of the Governor. The other two branches of the Texas Military Forces are the Texas Army National Guard and the Texas Air National Guard.
The Mississippi State Guard (MSSG) is the state defense force of Mississippi. It operates under the authority of the Mississippi Military Department alongside the Mississippi Army National Guard (MSARNG) and the Mississippi Air National Guard (MSANG).
Awards and decorations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines are military decorations which recognize service and personal accomplishments while a member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).