New medal honors nuclear deterrence service

[bananas]

http://www.stripes.com/news/us/new-medal-honors-nuclear-deterrence-service-1.308364

New medal honors nuclear deterrence service
By Jon Harper
Stars and Stripes
Published: October 15, 2014

Nuclear Deterrence Service Operations Medal graphic
An illustration of the new Nuclear Deterrence Service Operations Medal.
USAF

WASHINGTON — Current and former airmen could be eligible for the new Nuclear Deterrence Service Operations Medal.

Servicemembers may receive the award if they were assigned, deployed or mobilized to a wing, center or smaller unit in support of the nuclear enterprise for 120 consecutive days or 179 nonconsecutive days, according to an Air Force press release.

The medal will be worn with an “N” device for airmen deployed to a missile complex for 179 nonconsecutive days in direct support of intercontinental ballistic missile operations. The same holds true for personnel directly supporting operations of nuclear-armed aircraft. Only one “N” device may be worn, but an oak leaf cluster can be worn for subsequent awards, the Air Force said.

<snip>

Eligibility for the medal is retroactive to Dec. 27, 1991, which means that former airmen who served decades ago may also receive it. Those who have left the service and meet the criteria for the award can request the medal through the Air Force Personnel Center’s recognition section for validation. Family members of deceased airmen can also contact AFPC for information about how their loved one might be awarded the medal posthumously.

The medal, which has been designed, is projected to become available in March 2015.

The new award, first announced in May, was created after an internal review determined that many airmen involved in the nuclear enterprise felt ignored and underappreciated in the post-Cold War era in which nuclear combat is considered a remote possibility. The review was prompted by a scandal in which nearly a hundred officers were implicated in a cheating ring surrounding nuclear launch tests.

<snip>

If you know anyone who might be eligible, encourage them to apply.

[bananas]

1. Nuclear missileers medal available in March, retroactive to 1991

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/article/20141014/NEWS/310140035/Nuclear-missileers-medal-available-March-retroactive-1991

Nuclear missileers medal available in March, retroactive to 1991
Oct. 14, 2014 - 10:43PM

The Air Force has released the criteria and eligible specialties for a new service medal for airmen directly supporting the beleaguered nuclear missile community.

<snip>

The medal may be awarded to airmen who were assigned, deployed or mobilized to a unit in support of the nuclear enterprise for 120 consecutive days or 179 nonconsecutive days; were subject to a nuclear inspection or performed duties in one of the following:

Nuclear Operations

Nuclear Weapon Storage Facilities

Nuclear Command, Control and Communication

Cyber Surety

Security

Safety

Transportation

Maintenance

Facility Management and Maintenance

Explosive Ordnance Disposal

Aircrew Certified for Support to Nuclear Operations

Weapons Loaders

Warning and Attack Assessment

Personnel Reliability Program Management

Research Development and Acquisition of Nuclear Systems

The medal will be worn with an “N” device for airmen dispatched to a missile complex for 179 nonconsecutive days, who directly support intercontinental ballistic missile operations or nuclear weapon-carrying aircraft in the following specialties:

21MX, 2M0XX - Missile Maintenance

2W0XX, 2W1XX, 2W2XX - Munitions and Maintenance

31PX, 3P0XX - Security Forces (security forces who guard nuclear laden aircraft are eligible)

3M0XX - Services

2F0XX - Fuels

2T1XX, 2T3XX - Transportation

32EX, 3EXXX - Civil Engineering

3D1X1, 3D1X2, 3D1X3, 3D100 - Cyberspace Support

11HXC, 13NX, 1A9X1, and13SX - Operations (officers on or before Feb. 9, 2013)

8S000 - Missile Facility Manager

The “N” device is also authorized for certified aircrew, aircraft maintenance technicians, munitions maintenance technicians, combat crew communications and nuclear certified controllers who perform duties in direct support of nuclear laden aircraft.

Airmen will only receive one “N” device, no matter how many qualifying assignments they serve in. When a permanent change of station occurs, airmen may receive an oak leaf cluster.

<snip>

[PeoViejo]

2. ...

[PeoViejo]

3. .....

[malthaussen]

4. Retroactive to 1991, eh?

So prior to that, I guess the people working with nukes were what, schmucks or something? Ah, well, I guess most of those guys are retired by now, so they don't need additional shiny things on their resumes.

-- Mal