Joint Service Achievement Medal

The Department of Defense created the authorization for its Joint Service Achievement Medal in 1983. These US military medals are considered superior to any of the individual service branch Achievement Medals. These medals of America are awarded for outstanding achievement or meritorious service in a joint project between military services that would not warrant the receipt of the Joint Services Commendation Medals. These military medals and ribbons were created specifically to commend the performance of junior officers and enlisted personnel, who are not generally eligible to receive Commendation Medals or Meritorious Service Medals. These military ribbons and medals are awarded by the local commander on behalf of the Department of Defense.

Joint Service Achievement Medals are worn below any of the individual service’s Commendation Medals, and above the Combat Action Ribbon in the general order of precedence that has been established by the five branches of service for the proper display of all military medals and ribbons. Additional awards of these military ribbons and medals are indicated by Oak Leaf Clusters in all services receiving a Joint Service Achievement Medal.

The Joint Service Achievement Medal can be worn as full size military medals and mini medals, military ribbons and lapel pins. Traditionalist may prefer to where the traditional slide-on full size military medals or mini-medals, and slide-on military ribbons. In more recent times the sleek new thin military medals, mini-medals and the ultra thin military ribbons have garnered a wide following with military personnel who have realized the importance of always looking their best to enhance their chances of advancement in their respective military services.