Military Writing Joint Service Achievement Medal (JSAM) Submission Guidelines (from a LOCAL OI)
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JSAM SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

A12.1. Standard of Award. Meritorious service or outstanding achievement, although of a lesser degree than that required for award of the JSCM, that has been accomplished with distinction and clearly places an individual's performance above that of his or her peers. Use this award to recognize officers below O-6 and enlisted personnel whose performance has been excellent, but not at the same level as those deemed to be truly outstanding.

A12.2. Definitions:

A12.2.1. Meritorious Service. Individual performance must exceed that expected by virtue of grade and experience, based on accomplishments during an entire tour of duty. Awards given for service must normally cover the period of controlled duty tour, plus any extensions, and are normally awarded for a period of service greater than 12 months.

A12.2.2. Outstanding Achievement. An outstanding achievement decoration, also known as an impact award, is rare, and is intended to recognize a single, specific act or accomplishment separate and distinct from regularly assigned duties, such as a specific project. It is not intended to provide a means to authorize additional decorations or a decoration when the conditions for a completed period of service have not been fulfilled. An outstanding achievement normally covers a short period of time with definite beginning and ending dates. Submit a recommendation for an outstanding achievement award only when the achievement is of such magnitude that it cannot be recognized in any other way than by award of a decoration, and to delay such recognition until completion of the individual's period of service would diminish the significance of the accomplishment.

A12.3. Approval/Signature Authority. Directors for their directorates, and the COS for the Command Section, Special Staff.

A12.4. Submission Procedures:

A12.4.1. Action officers will submit recommendation packages to their approving authority 45 days prior to desired presentation date using the example USSTRATCOM Form 915 shown at Attachment 2. Prepare the citation using the example at Attachment 13.

A12.4.2. Directors will submit approved decorations to J12 at least 45 days prior to desired presentation date. Present outstanding achievement JSAMs in a timely manner and not longer than 30 days after specific act.

A12.5. Justification. Mandatory. Award justification will not exceed the space provided in the ACTION SUMMARY block of <UNIT> Form 915 shown at Attachment 38.

A12.6. Presentation.

 

EXAMPLE OF CITATION - JSAM

CITATION TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD OF
(double space)
THE JOINT SERVICE ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL
(FIRST OAK LEAF CLUSTER)
(double space)
TO
(double space)
ANTHONY J. JONES
(triple space)

Mandatory Opening Sentence. Staff Sergeant Anthony J. Jones, United States (appropriate Service), distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious achievement as (duty assignment) OR (while assigned to (office) from (month/year) to (month/year)). (Text) Write in narrative style, using short, simple, direct, and accurate facts in straightforward language. Avoid superfluous adjectives and other embellishments. Include accomplishments of the individual and the resulting benefits.

Mandatory Closing Sentence. Through his distinctive accomplishments, Sergeant Jones reflected credit upon himself, the United States (appropriate service), and the Department of Defense..

Instructions. Award certificates will be used without reference to number of oak leaf clusters. Prepare in final form, portrait format, single-spaced, right-margin justified, with 1-inch right and left margins, 1-inch top margin, and a minimum of 3 inches at bottom. Font/Size is 14 TMS RMN Must be unclassified. No more than 16 lines. Use no abbreviations or acronyms. Spell out full name in opening sentence, then use shortened grade throughout the remaining text; i.e., Lieutenant Colonel Coleen M. Brown, then use Colonel Brown. (For Navy officer personnel only, use full grade throughout.). Note: For distribution purposes, provide seven copies of the citation with the SSAN typed three spaces to the right of the name and seven copies of the certificate).