I am pleased to announce the new Civilian Service Commendation Medal and Certificate, promulgated by ACN 114/17. This award replaces the Commander's Award for Civilian Service and the Commander’s Award for Sustained Excellence in the Federal Service Award. This new Coast Guard honorary award gives supervisors the opportunity to recognize individuals or groups for their commendable service, achievements and contributions to the Coast Guard. It was established as a means to recognize notable civilian performance at the equivalent level of the Coast Guard Commendation Medal (CGCM) awarded to military personnel for similar achievements. The Civilian Awards Manual, COMDTINST M12451.1B is currently being updated and in the interim, an ALCOAST is forthcoming with the policy for eligibility, nomination criteria, and documentation associated with the Civilian Service Commendation Medal.
Civilian employees at all grade levels are eligible to be nominated for this award. To merit this award, the acts or services must be accomplished or performed in a manner above that normally expected and sufficient to distinguish the individual above others of comparable grade performing similar services, meeting one or more of the following criteria:
- Supervisory or non-supervisory duties performed in an outstanding manner, setting an example of achievement for others to follow.
- Demonstrated initiative and skill in devising new or improved equipment, work methods, and procedures, or for inventions that result in considerable savings in manpower, time, space, materials, or other items of expense, or improved safety, or health of the work force.
- Demonstrated leadership in performing duties that resulted in improved productivity of the command, including customer focus and commitment to achieving & excellence.
- Achievements or contributions in support of the Coast Guard’s EEO Program.
- Demonstrated courage or competence in an emergency while performing assigned duties resulting in benefit to the Federal Government.
- Employees who have established a pattern of excellence as recognized through the previous receipt of one or more honorary or monetary performance awards can be considered for this award. Retirement, separation, or long period of service alone will not constitute a sufficient basis for conferring this award.
- Acts of valor or heroism, on or off duty.
Employees approved to receive this award will be presented a Civilian Service Commendation Medal and lapel pin in a presentation case and a certificate, Form CG-5061. Each Command is responsible for ordering the medals and certificates judiciously and to refrain from over-ordering to ensure adequate stock is available for all Commands.
Nominations should be prepared by the nominating supervisor and routed through the chain of command to the approving official (Designated O-6/GS-15 or above) and/or additional local level award procedures.
RDML William G. Kelly
RDML WILLIAM G. KELLY
Assistant Commandant for Human Resources
Issue date: 10/10/17