How are nominations for Navy awards typically initiated and what criteria determine eligibility?

• A. Nominations are prepared at the command level and submitted through chain of command to the award board; eligibility criteria reflect acts of achievement, valor, or service
• B. Individuals submit directly to the awards board
• C. Awards are randomly assigned
• D. Awards require only command endorsement

Answer: (A)

Navy awards are earned through a formal nomination process that starts at the sailor’s command. A nomination package is prepared at the unit level, drawing on firsthand information about the act or service, and then routed up the chain of command to the awards board for review. This pathway ensures that someone with direct knowledge at the unit level can substantiate what happened and why it meets the award’s standards. The eligibility criteria focus on the merit of the action or service—such as notable achievement, valor under hazardous conditions, or sustained exceptional service—so only actions that truly meet those standards are considered.

This approach matters because it prevents bypassing review (which would happen if individuals submitted directly to the board), avoids random assignment of awards, and requires more than a simple command endorsement. The board applies consistent criteria across all nominees to determine who deserves recognition.