Army Achievement Mini MedalService: Army
Instituted: August 1, 1981
Criteria: Awarded to members of the Armed Forces below the rank of colonel who, while serving in any capacity with the Army in a noncombat area, distinguish themselves by outstanding achievement or meritorious service, but not of a nature that would warrant the award of an Army Commendation Medal.
Devices: Bronze, Silver Oak Leaf Cluster
Key elements of the Department of the Army Seal are centered in a bronze octagon one and a half inches in diameter. The medal shape was chosen to distinguish it from other Army decorations. The Army Seal represents the authority under which the award is given.
On the reverse are three lines in the upper half reading, “FOR MILITARY ACHIEVEMENT”. At the bottom of the medal there is a double spray of laurel which represents achievement. The ribbon has a central stripe of blue with a white center stripe. The blue is bordered by white, green, white and is edged in green.
The Army Achievement Medal is awarded for significant achievement deserving recognition but not considered adequate to qualify for an award of the Army Commendation Medal. Award authority rests with commanders in the grade of Lieut. Colonel and above. The Army Achievement Medal is limited to noncombat achievement and that members of other branches of the Armed Forces may be eligible for it under certain circumstances.
At the same time the Secretary of the Army approved the Army Achievement medal he also approve the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NCO Academy Ribbon (renamed the NCO Professional Development Ribbon) and the Army Service Ribbon. Additional awards of the Army Achievement Medal are denoted by oak leaf clusters.
The Army Achievement Mini Medal was designed by Jay Morris and sculpted by Donald Borja of the Institute of Heraldry.