AR 600-8-22 — Military Awards
AR 600-8-22 governs Department of the Army policy, criteria, and procedures for individual and unit military awards and foreign decorations and badges.
- Publication number: AR 600-8-22
- Title: MILITARY AWARDS
- Date: 05/11/2026
- Proponent: G-1
- Status: ACTIVE
View AR 600-8-22 on armypubs.army.mil
AR 600-8-22 covers military decorations, service medals and ribbons, badges, tabs, unit awards, foreign awards, certificates, and trophies. It sets criteria and procedures for award recommendations, approval, processing, recording, and wear.
Topics covered
- Purple Heart eligibility
- Service ribbon appurtenances
- Oak leaf clusters
- Trophy award limits
- Foreign decorations and badges
- Award recommendation processing
Questions and answers
What injuries can qualify for the Purple Heart?
Injury caused by enemy bullet, shrapnel, or other projectile created by enemy action. (paragraph 1)
Are cash prizes authorized for trophies?
Cash prizes or savings bonds are not authorized. (paragraph 11-3)
How must contests for trophies be conducted?
All eligible Servicemembers, units, and agencies will be given an equal chance to compete. (paragraph 6-4)
What does an oak leaf cluster indicate?
The oak leaf cluster is issued to denote award of second and succeeding awards of decorations (other than the AM), the ARCAM, and unit awards. (paragraph 6-3)
How quickly must recommended decorations be processed?
Recommended decorations will be expeditiously processed and recorded in military orders within 60 days of the final approving authoritys decision. (paragraph 11-1)