AFTAC personnel awarded Nuclear Deterrence Medal

The Air Force Nuclear Enterprise Functional Authority has authorized personnel from the Air Force Technical Applications Center here the award of the Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal effective April 13, 2016.

The medal is awarded to Airmen who have directly impacted the nuclear enterprise and directly support nuclear deterrence operations.

The medal, which was first approved in May 2014 by the Secretary of the Air Force, is predominantly blue with yellow, green and red stripes, and contains a laurel wreath surrounded by a nuclear symbol.  The reverse has a circular inscription that reads, “Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service.”

“I’m pleased that AFTAC has been formally recognized for its contributions to nuclear deterrence,” said Chief Master Sgt. Michael Joseph, AFTAC’s command chief.  “Former and current AFTAC Airmen in delineated Air Force Specialty Codes who served with the center for 120 consecutive days or more since Dec. 27, 1991, qualify and are fully authorized to wear the ribbon.”

The retroactive date – Dec. 27, 1991 – was selected as a result of the dissolution of the Soviet Union the day before on Dec. 26, 1991.

In order of precedence, the NDOSM is worn between the Air and Space Campaign Medal and the Air Force Overseas Service Ribbon (Short Tour).  An “N” device will be worn by Airmen who meet the criteria outlined in Air Force Instruction 36-2803.  The medal does not have point value for the Weighted Airman Promotion System.

Active duty Airmen who qualify for the medal can apply on the MyPers website (https://mypers.af.mil).  Airmen who have retired or separated, or their surviving family members, can submit a Standard Form 180 with supporting documentation to the Air Force Personnel Center, AFPC/DPSIDR, 550 C Street, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas 78150.