State defense forces in the United States are military units that operate under the sole authority of a state government. State defense forces are authorized by state and federal law and are under the command of the governor of each state.
The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (GWOT-SM) is a military award of the United States Armed Forces which was created through Executive Order 13289 on 12 March 2003, by President George W. Bush. The medal recognizes those military service members who have supported operations to counter terrorism in the War on Terror from 11 September 2001, to a date yet to be determined.
The Armed Forces Reserve Medal (AFRM) is a service medal of the United States Armed Forces that has existed since 1950. 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 1967, respectively.
The United States military inter-service awards and decorations are those medals and ribbons which may be awarded to all members of the five military branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Each military branch awards inter-service awards under the same criteria.
The Georgia State Defense Force is an unpaid, volunteer component of the Georgia Department of Defense, serving in support of the national and state constitutions under direction of the governor and the adjutant general of Georgia. As a State Defense Force, members serve alongside the Georgia Army National Guard and the Georgia Air National Guard.
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 State of Maryland Distinguished Service Cross (SDSC) is a ribbon bestowed upon those who go above the call of duty in service to the State of Maryland. Former or current members of the Maryland National Guard and former or retired members of the military are eligible to receive the reward, which can be bestowed in honor of one major event or a series of events reflecting meritorious service. s not restricted to any specific period of time.
The Maryland Medal for Valor (MMV) was an award bestowed on active members of the Maryland National Guard who demonstrated remarkable, voluntary acts of heroism which placed the member in personal danger and which went above and beyond the call of duty. The act may or may not have been performed during duty hours. In 2010, the Medal was replaced with the Maryland Distinguished Service Cross with an added device to indicate valor. Former recipients are entitled to continue to display the original medal or to request conversion.
The State of Maryland Meritorious Service Medal is an award bestowed in the State of Maryland to honor meritorious service by members of the Maryland National Guard or military, active or retired.
The State of Maryland Commendation Medal is an award in the state of Maryland to honor exceptional service to the state by members of the Maryland National Guard or military, active or former.
The Maryland Outstanding Unit Ribbon is an award bestowed in the state of Maryland to recognize members of the annually selected outstanding unit of the fiscal year in the Maryland Air National Guard and the Maryland Army National Guard. Any service member who was assigned to the unit for at least a day during the year is entitled to receive the ribbon. Since 2010, the ribbon is modified to reflect multiple receipt of this award with Arabic numerals. Previously, it was marked with clusters of oak leaves.
The Adjutant General’s Distinguished Unit Ribbon, formerly the Maryland National Guard Adjutant General's Distinguished Unit Ribbon, is intended to recognize units or members of the military in Maryland who have performed acts to greatly benefit the Maryland Military Department or the state. Any member of the military is eligible regardless of time of service. This ribbon is only bestowed on organizational units that are not numbered.
The Maryland National Guard Outstanding Soldier/Airman of the Year Ribbon is an annual award bestowed upon outstanding individual members of the Maryland Army National Guard or the Maryland Air National Guard.
The Maryland National Guard Overseas Service Ribbon is an award in the state of Maryland bestowed upon members of the Maryland National Guard who serve outside the United States on foreign soil for at least 30 consecutive or 45 cumulative days, either for training or contingency operations.
The Maryland National Guard Counterdrug Ribbon was an award given to honor individuals who serve for at least 365 cumulative days in the Maryland National Guard counterdrug program. In 2010, it was replaced by the Maryland Military Department Special Services Ribbon.
The State of Maryland State Service Medal is an award bestowed on those who have served five years continuously in any branch of the Maryland Military Department. The Maltese cross is marked with bottony devices to indicate each additional five years of continuous service up to fifty, which is marked with two gold bottonees.
The 'State of Maryland Meritorious Civilian Service Medal' is an honor bestowed on civilians - including civilian employees, family members and others - to recognize outstanding service to the Maryland Military Department, the Maryland National Guard or the State of Maryland. The honorary award was redesigned in 2008.
Linda L. Singh is a major general of the Maryland Army National Guard.
Awards and decorationsof the Texas Military are medals, ribbons, badges, tabs, trophies, plaques, certificates, memorials, and monuments that recognize service and achievement while serving in the Texas Military Forces.
