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ROUTINE

R 171513Z APR 19

FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC

TO ALNAV

INFO SECNAV WASHINGTON DC
CNO WASHINGTON DC
CMC WASHINGTON DC

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ALNAV 031/19

MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/APR//

SUBJ/MILITARY WORKING DOG HANDLER CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION//

REF/A/DOC/SECDEF/7MAR2019/NOTAL//

NARR/REF A IS THE UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR PERSONNEL AND READINESS 
MEMORANDUM ANNOUNCING ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MILITARY WORKING DOG HANDLER 
CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION.//

RMKS/1.  This All Navy message provides Department of the Navy implementation 
guidance for the Military Working Dog Handler Certificate of Commendation 
(MWDHCC).

2.  Pursuant to reference (a), the MWDHCC is awarded to handlers of military 
working dogs in recognition of acts of valor or meritorious achievement by 
such handlers and their military working dogs.  Each subsequent award will 
result in a separate MWDHCC.  No other medals, tokens, or devices are to be 
awarded with the MWDHCC.  In the event the handler of the military working 
dog is deceased, the MWDHCC may be posthumously presented to the handlers 
next-of-kin.  The MWDHCC template is located at:
https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/forms/dd/dd3059.pdf.  In the 
space below the TO line, enter the military working dog handlers rank, first 
name, middle initial, last name, and Military Service (e.g., MA1 JOHN L. 
SMITH, USN; SGT JANE L. SMITH, USMC).  In the space below the AND line, enter 
the name and breed or type of the Military Working Dog (e.g., BULLET, GERMAN 
SHEPHERD; REX, PATROL-EXPLOSIVE DETECTOR DOG).  The MWDHCC may only be 
printed on the below, or similar, cardstock which have a smooth surface and 
of solid color (i.e., no marbling or flecks):
    a.  Type:  Bristol.  Color:  Ivory, Cream, Warm White, Natural, or other 
similar off-white color.  Grams Per Square Meter (GSM):  143-147.  Weight:
65-67 pounds.
    b.  Type:  Index.  Color:  Ivory, Cream, Warm White, Natural, or other 
similar off-white color.  GSM:  163-167.  Weight:  90 pounds.
    c.  Type:  Index.  Color:  Ivory, Cream, Warm White, Natural, or other 
similar off-white color.  GSM:  200.  Weight:  110 pounds.
    d.  Type:  Cover.  Color:  Ivory, Cream, Warm White, Natural, or other 
similar off-white color.  GSM:  147.  Weight:  65-67 pounds.
    e.  Type:  Cover.  Color:  Ivory, Cream, Warm White, Natural, or other 
similar off-white color.  GSM:  215.  Weight:  80 pounds.

3.  Approval of the MWDHCC does not preclude the handler from receiving a 
personal military decoration (PMD), but a PMD must be based only on the 
actions of the handler and not those of the military working dog.

4.  Awarding Authority
    a.  Navy.  Commanding officers exercising Navy and Marine Corps 
Achievement Medal awarding authority are authorized to award the MWDHCC.
Commands shall make appropriate entries to the service record of the Military 
Working Dog Handler.  Questions regarding eligibility should be addressed to:  
Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (DNS-35), 2000 Navy Pentagon, 
Washington, D.C. 20350-2000.
    b.  Marine Corps.  Commanding officers exercising Navy and Marine Corps 
Achievement Medal awarding authority are authorized to award the MWDHCC.
Commands shall make appropriate entries in the Marine Corps Total Force 
System and the service record of the Military Working Dog Handler.  Questions 
regarding eligibility should be addressed to:  Commandant of the Marine Corps 
(MMMA), 2008 Elliot Rd, Quantico, VA 22134-5030.

5.  Retroactivity.  Pursuant to reference (a), the MWDHCC is awarded for acts 
of valor or meritorious achievement occurring on or after 13 August 2018.

6.  Released by the Honorable Richard V. Spencer, Secretary of the Navy.//

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