Army Achievement Medal AAM
Awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States, or of a friendly foreign nation, who distinguishes
themselves by meritorious service or achievement of a lesser degree than that required for award of the ARCOM. This is the
entry-level achievement award — typically used for a single accomplishment, project, or short period of superior performance.
AR 600-8-22, chap 3, sec II (U.S. Army Individual Decorations — Authority and Criteria)
Army Commendation Medal ARCOM
Awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Army,
distinguishes themselves by heroism, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service. One step up the ladder from the AAM —
used for sustained superior performance over a longer period, a PCS/ETS/deployment award, or a single achievement of greater scope
than the AAM threshold. May also be awarded as an interim award pending action on a recommendation for the Distinguished Flying
Cross or Soldier's Medal.
AR 600-8-22, chap 3, sec II; interim-award provision at para 1-20c
Meritorious Service Medal MSM
Awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States, or of a friendly foreign nation, who distinguish
themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service in a noncombat area. This sits above the ARCOM in precedence —
reserve it for accomplishments that clearly exceed ARCOM-level scope (larger organization, longer period, higher-visibility impact).
Typically reviewed at a general-officer or equivalent approval echelon.
AR 600-8-22, chap 3, sec II
Choosing the right award: The regulation deliberately defines each award relative to the one below it (AAM is
"less than" ARCOM; ARCOM sits below MSM). Before submitting, ask whether the accomplishment genuinely clears the bar of the
next award up — if it's a close call, the safer, more defensible move is usually the lower award with a tighter, stronger
narrative rather than an inflated award with a thin one.
Approval authority: AR 600-8-22 delegates approval authority through command channels (see tables 3-3/3-4, peacetime and
wartime delegation), and HRC's Awards and Decorations Branch holds central processing authority for the ARCOM and AAM.
The specific rank/position authorized to approve each award at your echelon is set by your command's current delegation
memorandum — confirm locally before submitting a DA Form 638 rather than assuming a fixed rank.
Writing the Narrative — Verb Bank
Strong opening verbs read by boards as ownership and initiative, not just task completion:
SpearheadedOrchestratedDirectedEngineeredOverhauled
SynchronizedChampionedExecutedManagedLed
MentoredStreamlinedCoordinatedPilotedRevamped
Phrases that weaken an otherwise strong bullet — replace with specifics:
was responsible for
helped with
did a great job
assisted in
worked on
ORDER OF PRECEDENCE (SELECTED)
1
Medal of Honor
valor — presidential award
2
Distinguished Service Cross
valor
3
Distinguished Service Medal
service — HQDA/DoD level
5
Legion of Merit
exceptionally meritorious conduct
6
Distinguished Flying Cross
valor — aerial flight
7
Soldier's Medal
heroism, non-combat
8
Bronze Star Medal
valor or meritorious service, combat zone
9
Meritorious Service Medal
outstanding meritorious achievement/service, noncombat
11
Army Commendation Medal
heroism, meritorious achievement, or service
12
Army Achievement Medal
meritorious service/achievement, lesser degree than ARCOM
Note: This is a partial precedence list focused on the individual decorations most commonly written for
E1–O6 Soldiers. Full order of wear/precedence, including service medals, unit awards, and badges, is in AR 670-1, chapter 28.
AAM vs. ARCOM vs. MSM — AT A GLANCE
| Award | Typical Use | Scope | Note |
|---|
| AAM | Single achievement, short project, PCS/ETS for junior enlisted | Smallest | Most commonly awarded decoration |
| ARCOM | Sustained performance, longer period, larger project or PCS/ETS/deployment | Moderate | Can be used as an interim award for pending DFC/SM |
| MSM | Senior NCO/officer service, retirement, key leadership position over extended period | Largest of the three | Generally reviewed at higher (often GO) approval echelon |