*** As of 01Jul2024, the Navy Awards email box has been closed to all new requests / inquiries. All requests must be routed through My Navy Career Center (MNCC) at askmncc@navy.mil or 1-833-330-MNCC (1-833-330-6622). ***
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Navy Department Awards Web Service (NDAWS) is the Navy’s authoritative source of awards data. It is the primary means by which Personal Military Decorations (PMDs) are uploaded to the OMPF. Upon entry of an award in NDAWS, the OMPF is normally updated within 24 hours. NDAWS provides a weekly feed of data that is used to update other corporate data applications. These include NSIPS, FLTMPS and the OSR/PSR. It should take about 3 - 4 weeks from the time an award is entered into NDAWS before it is populated completely across all platforms. Campaign, Expeditionary and Service awards (also referred to as CE&S or unit awards) are entered into NDAWS for commands (not individuals).
The Department of the Navy Military Awards Policy, SECNAVINST 1650.1J, establishes policy and SECNAV-M1 contains procedures concerning awards available for use in recognizing individuals and units of the naval service. The Chief of Naval Operations (commonly known as ‘CNO Awards’) is the Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR) within the Navy for implementing this policy. PERS-312 works hand-in-hand with CNO Awards to maintain the Navy Department Awards Web Service (NDAWS). NDAWS is located on BUPERS Online (BOL) and requires a CAC to access the application.
***Note: PERS-312 and CNO awards are two separate offices. PERS-312 does not have oversight of CNO awards processing timelines.
All active duty and selected reserve personnel have BOL access and therefore have access to NDAWS. Civilian/contractor personnel with BOL access also have access to NDAWS. Civilians/contractors who require access to NDAWS but do not have a BOL account will need to submit an approved SAAR-N to the BOL Helpdesk via MNCC at askmncc.fct@navy.mil requesting access.
- PERS-312 is no longer the primary office for entering PMDs in NDAWS. PMDs mailed to Navy Personnel Command for NDAWS entry will be returned without action. Sailors are to work with their administrative support offices to have all valid awards submitted to NDAWS per the guidance in the NDAWS User’s Guide (Feb 2025) as well as the guidance provided in the NDAWS FAQ.
- The NDAWS FAQ (see link on right under ‘Information/References’) provides the latest available guidance that addresses the myriad of PMDs-related issues facing today’s Sailor. FYSA, PERS-312 is capable of assisting Sailors and commands with certain PMDs-related matters pertaining to the OMPF and NDAWS. This does not however include PMDs presented to Sailors from other branches of service, i.e., Army, Air Force or joint awards. Guidance for these types of personal awards can be found in the NDAWS FAQ.
- PERS-312 provides direct support (NDAWS entries) to non-Navy commands with Sailors onboard. These commands include Army, Marines, Coast Guard, as well as certain joint commands etc. who have no access to NDAWS due to the absence of senior Navy officers (O-5 or above) to facilitate NDAWS entries. Navy commands that do not have officers onboard of the appropriate rank should seek the assistance of their ISIC, Wing, etc. to have awards submitted to NDAWS.
- PERS-312 has no administrative/managerial capabilities regarding PMDs in NSIPS, FLTMPS, the OSR or the PSR. The latest information provided to PERS-312 regarding those corporate data applications can be found within the NDAWS FAQ. Additionally, the FAQ contains Point-of-Contact information for those corporate data applications.
MEDALS AND RIBBONS
Sailors should receive the original award (medal/ribbon) from their commanding officer.
VETERANS WISHING TO REQUEST AWARDED DECORATIONS
PERS-312 will (on a one-time basis) replace medals and ribbons when they have been lost or destroyed, through no fault of the member or have become unfit for wear because of age/deterioration. Replacement under other circumstances is the responsibility of the individual via commercial vendors.
Navy veterans to whom a military decoration has been awarded, or the immediate next-of-kin of a deceased recipient may also receive a replacement set of decorations (on a one-time basis) without cost if the previously issued medal, ribbon, or has been lost, destroyed, or rendered unfit for use without fault or neglect on the part of the recipient. Miniature decorations and Foreign Awards are not replaced by the Department of Navy.
Veterans or immediate next-of kin of deceased veterans can obtain and fill out Standard Form (SF) 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records to request replacement awards. Each request should be filled out neatly and in its entirety. The SF-180 must be wet signed by the veteran or the next of kin if the veteran is deceased. If the veteran is deceased, a death certificate will be required with the submission of the SF 180. When using the SF 180, check the “Other” box in section II, paragraph 1, and enter “replacement awards”. The SF-180 can be found at: https://www.gsa.gov/reference/forms/request-pertaining-to-military-records
Submit your request to:
(Veterans separated on or after 1 Jan 1995):
NAVY PERSONNEL COMMAND
PERS-312
5720 INTEGRITY DRIVE
MILLINGTON, TN 38055
Or via email to MNCC to Askmncc.fct@navy.mil
(Veterans separated on or before 31 Dec 1994):
NATIONAL PERSONNEL RECORDS CENTER
1 ARCHIVES DRIVE
ST. LOUIS, MO 63138
Or submit your request online at: https://www.archives.gov/veterans/replace-medals.html
PURPLE HEART
The primary reference governing the submission of Purple Heart requests is SECNAV M-1650.1 Ch.2 Appendix 2B and Ch.8. The instruction addresses all correspondence requirements for the submission of a request for the Purple Heart as well as the awarding criteria. To find out if a veteran was awarded the Purple Heart, contact the MNCC by email at: askmncc@navy.mil, or by phone at: 1-833-330-MNCC (1-833-330-6622).
Purple Heart History
SECNAV M-1650.1 NAVY AND MARINE CORPS AWARDS MANUAL