Navy Good Conduct
Military Medal & Military Ribbon

Effective 1 January 2014, Navy Reserve members are eligible for the navy Good Conduct Medal (NGCM) Additionaly, the Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal will no longer be awarded. Reserve service prior to 1 January 2014 earned towards the naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal may be applied towards award of the Navy Good Conduct Medal.
For additional information select ALNAV 025/14(PDF)

a. Authorization. The Navy Good Conduct Medal (NGCM) was established by SECNAV on 26 April 1869 to recognize the "all-
around" good Navy enlisted person, well qualified in all phases of
conduct and performance. Effective 1 February 1971, commanding
officers were delegated authority to award the NGCM. The CNO has review authority over the NGCM and designates specific criteria for the award.

b. Navy Good Conduct Medal Eligibility Requirements

(1) Period of Service. In accordance with NAVADMIN 305/95, subsequent to 1 January 1996, any three years of continuous active service as an enlisted person in the Regular Navy or Navy Reserve. For the period 1 November 1963 through 31 December 1995, inclusive, the qualifying eligibility period is four years. This requirement may be fulfilled by:

(a) Continuous active service during a minority (see note) enlistment, provided the member served on active duty to the day preceding his/her 21st birthday, even though he/she extended the enlistment and remained on active duty. Note: The term "minority" as used in this paragraph and paragraph

(b) below refers to being under the age of 18 and not to any particular
racial or ethnic background. (b) Continuous active service during a minority enlistment, provided the member served on active duty within three months of the day preceding his/her 21st birthday.

(c) Continuous active service during a three-year first enlistment. For
first-term personnel who meet all eligibility requirements except length
of service, the Navy Good Conduct Medal (NGCM) may be awarded
up to three months prior to the eligibility date if the member is discharged or released to inactive duty; i.e., the last three months of service may be waived. This does not apply to members who are discharged for the purpose of immediate reenlistment.

(d) A member not eligible for the Navy Good Conduct Medal (NGCM) who reenlists or reports for active duty within three months after discharge or release to inactive duty, is considered to be serving under \\continuous active service" conditions. While the time between the date of separation and date of return to active duty is not counted as an interruption of active service, it may not be included in computing time served. A member who reenlists or reports for active duty more than three months after separating must begin a new three-year qualification period.

e) An enlisted member appointed a temporary warrant or commissioned officer may include such temporary service, upon reverting to an enlisted status, regardless of the purpose (including discharge to accept appointment as a permanent officer). Naval Academy midshipmen who are not commissioned, but are retained in the service in an enlisted status, may include such midshipman service for the purpose of earning the Navy Good Conduct Medal (NGCM). Except as provided above, service in warrant, commissioned, or Naval Academy midshipman status may not be included in computing time served.

(2) Conduct. Within the required period of active service, the individual must have a clear record (no convictions by court-martial, no non-judicial punishment (NJP), no lost time by reason of sickness-misconduct, no
civil convictions for offenses involving moral turpitude).

(a) If confinement as a result of conviction by any court-martial (general, special, or summary) is involved, a new qualifying period shall begin with the date of restoration to duty on a probationary basis. If confinement is not included in the approved sentence of the court-martial, a new qualifying period shall begin with the date of convening authority action.

(b) If the service record contains record of NJP, a new qualifying
period shall begin with the date following the date of the offense. If the
date of the offense cannot be determined, the new qualifying period
shall begin with the date following the NJP.

(c) If convicted by civil authorities for an offense involving moral .turpitude, a new qualifying period shall begin with the date of return to active duty status.

(d) If the record contains a disqualifying mark that is not the result of NJP, the new qualifying period shall begin with the date following the date of the mark.

(3) Performance marks required during period of eligibility.

(a) Subsequent to 1 January 1996, no mark below 2.0 in any trait.

(b) Between 31 August 1983 and 31 December 1995, no mark below
3.0 in Military Knowledge/Performance, . Rating Knowledge/ Performance, Reliability, Military Bearing, Personal Behavior, and Directing

(c) Prior to 31 August 1983:

I 1 E-4 and below. No mark below 3.0 in any trait.

2 E-5 and E-6. No mark below EEL (Typically Effective-Lower) in Directing, Individual Productivity, Reliability or Conduct.

3 E-7 to E-9. No mark below the bottom 50 percent in Performance, Reliability, Conduct or Directing. If an individual receives a disqualifying trait mark, a new period of eligibility shall begin on the day following the ending date of the performance evaluation report that contains the disqualifying trait mark.

c. Waivers. Subsequent to 17 May 1974, for the first award only, the Navy Good Conduct Medal (NGCM) may be awarded in the following cases, provided conduct and performance requirements are met:

(1) For individuals who are killed in combat against an opposing armed force, or die as a direct result of wounds received in combat against an opposing armed force, the award may be presented posthumously to the next of kin.

(2) For individuals who are separated from the Naval Service for physical disability as a result of wounds incurred in combat against an opposing armed force, or in the line of duty where such wounds were directly related to action against the enemy.

(3) For individuals who die while in a POW status, the Navy Good Conduct Medal (NGCM) may be presented posthumously to the next of kin, provided it has been determined the member's conduct while a POW was acceptable.

d. Limitations

(1) When the requirements have been met, but it is evident the individual
is not deserving of the Navy Good Conduct Medal (NGCM) due to a repeated record of valid letters of indebtedness, or other acts which are not in keeping with the high moral standards required of all Navy personnel, the commanding officer will make an appropriate recommendation to CNO (DNS-35) stating the reasons.

(2) Although the period of qualifying service was revised to three years effective 1 January 1996, in accordance with Navy Uniform Regulations, this change does not affect the four-year requirement for service stripes.

(3) Active service in a Reserve status credited toward the Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal may not also be credited for the Navy Good Conduct Medal (NGCM).