Sunday, December 7, 2014

Yes, the Navy CAN take your awards

In case you thought the medals on your chest are earned...guess what? They aren't permanent. The Secretary of the Navy can in fact take any medal awarded to you and request its return.

Don't believe me? Check out NAVADMIN 080/14:


a. Revocation of Awards
(1) Requirement for Honorable Service.  10 U.S.C 6249 provides that no medal, 
cross, bar, or associated emblem or insignia may be awarded or presented to 
any individual if the service after the distinguishing act or period has not 
been honorable.  In the event such conduct is discovered after an award is 
approved but not yet presented, it may be revoked by the approving authority
for the award.
(2) The Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) is the sole authority to revoke awards 
after presentation.
(3) After presentation, if an awardee's honorable service is questioned or if 
additional facts are discovered that which call into question the 
appropriateness of the original approval of the award, forward the entire 
case and all supporting documentation to SECNAV, via the chain of command, 
for reconsideration.
(4) In all cases, SECNAV retains the authority to revoke or downgrade any 
award after approval or presentation if, in the judgment of the Secretary, 
the awardee did not merit the award or if it is otherwise in the best 
interests of the Navy.

Think it doesn't happen?

http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20110727/NEWS/107270313/Mabus-revokes-imprisoned-veteran-s-Silver-Star

Yup, revoked a Silver Star. Not something small.