Meritorious Civilian Service Award
second highest award and medal provided to civilian employees within agencies of the federal government of the United States

The Meritorious Civilian Service Award is commonly the highest award granted by U.S. Army Commanders (Major General and above, or civilian equivalent). The Award and Medal is provided to civilian employees within agencies of the federal government of the United States. However, the various agencies' awards are not directly comparable. For example, the US Army Meritorious Civilian Service Award is equivalent to the US military Legion of Merit, while the US Air Force Meritorious Civilian Service Award is equivalent to the lower US military Meritorious Service Medal.
Examples of Meritorious Civilian Service Awards include but are not limited to:
Secretary of Defense Meritorious Civilian Service Award
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) Joint Meritorious Civilian Service Award
Department of the Army Meritorious Civilian Service Award (third highest award)
Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award (third highest award)
Air Force Meritorious Civilian Service Award (fourth highest award)
Armed Forces
Army Meritorious Civilian Service Award
The Meritorious Civilian Service Award is the third highest award granted by U.S. Army Commanders (Major General and above, or civilian equivalent). It consists of a medal, lapel button, and citation certificate. Nominees must have established a pattern of excellence, normally demonstrated by the receipt of lower level awards. It is equivalent to the military Legion of Merit.
Air Force Meritorious Service Award
Application submitted through Installation Awards Committee and approved at MAJCOM level. Consists of a sterling silver medal bearing the Air Force coat of arms within a wreath of laurel leaves.
The public source identifies “Meritorious Civilian Service Award” as second highest award and medal provided to civilian employees within agencies of the federal government of the United States. This brief keeps that definition visible, then builds a research path around Meritorious, Civilian and Service.
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