Good Conduct Medal

The Good Conduct Medal (GCM) is a military award presented to enlisted personnel for exemplary behavior, conduct, and fidelity in active service. **History** The GCM was established by the United States Navy on April 26, 1869, and has been awarded since that time to recognize enlisted personnel for their good conduct during a specified period of service. The criteria for the award have evolved over the years, with significant changes occurring in the mid-20th century to broaden eligibility and refine the criteria further. **Criteria and Eligibility** For the Navy Good Conduct Medal (NGCM), the following eligibility criteria apply: 1. **Period of Service**: Awardees must have completed three years of continuous active service in the Regular or Reserve components of the Navy or Navy Reserve. This service can include active duty during a national emergency or armed conflict. For the first award, the medal can be presented posthumously to service members who were killed in action, died as a direct result of combat-related wounds, or died while a prisoner of war. 2. **Conduct Requirement**: To be eligible for the GCM, individuals must maintain a record of conduct that includes: - No convictions by courts-martial. - No non-judicial punishment (NJP) under Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. - No lost time due to sickness-misconduct or injury-misconduct. - A consistent pattern of satisfactory performance marks (no marks below 2.0 in any trait after January 1, 1996). 3. **Subsequent Awards**: For each subsequent award of the GCM, recipients may wear a bronze star on the ribbon, with a silver star replacing five bronze stars. 4. **Awarding Authority**: Commanding Officers (COs) authorized to award the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal can also award the GCM to personnel under their command who meet the eligibility criteria. **Award Elements** The GCM consists of a medal and a ribbon. It is notable that no formal citation or certificate is issued with the award; only the accompanying medal and ribbon are provided. **Notable Recipients** The GCM has been awarded to numerous enlisted personnel across various branches of the U.S. military. Due to its nature as an award for good conduct rather than valor, specific high-profile recipients are less common, but many service members regard it as a significant mark of professionalism and dedication. **Limitations** It is important to note that if an individual has been convicted by a court-martial or received an NJP, a new qualifying period for the award will begin from the date of the conviction or punishment. Additionally, if conduct is found lacking (due to unpaid debts or other issues not in keeping with military standards), the award may be withheld. The Good Conduct Medal serves as a testament to the values of discipline and conduct in military service, encouraging service members to maintain high standards throughout their careers.