Operational Distinguishing Device

Operational Distinguishing Device
Operational Distinguishing Device
	Coast Guard Achievement Medal with; Operational Distinguishing Device ("O" device)
Type	Ribbon device
Awarded for	Direct participation in missions of an operational "hands on" nature.
Country	United States of America
Presented by	the ; Department of Homeland Security
Eligibility	Coast Guard personnel

The Operational Distinguishing Device ("O" device) is a miniature silver 5⁄16 inch letter "O" that is authorized by the United States Coast Guard as a ribbon device^[1] which may be authorized for wear on certain awards and decorations of the United States Coast Guard.^[2]

The "O" device is either centered on the suspension and service ribbon of the medal or unit award ribbon, or to the middle-right if there are an even number of letter devices on the ribbon. Any authorized gold 5⁄16 Inch Stars alternate around the "O" device. The first star is placed to the wearer’s right of the "O" device and the second star is placed to wearer's left of the "O" device. Only one "O" device may be worn per ribbon.^[2]

Eligibility criteria are based on a member's or unit's direct participation in missions of an operational "hands on" nature. To qualify for this device on a decoration, both the person's work and unit must be operational in nature.

Such examples include search and rescue, fire fighting, maritime law enforcement, disaster relief, pollution response, and aids to navigation maintenance and operations.

The decision to authorize an Operational Distinguishing Device is made by the award approving authority, giving a wide discretion as to what actions may qualify.

Authorized awards

The Operational Distinguishing Device may be authorized for wear on the following awards:^[3]

Personal awards

Unit awards

References

^ "Department of Defense Manual 1348.33, Volume 3" (PDF). Defense Technical Information Center. 23 November 2010. pp. 1, 1. (2) "service devices". Archived from the original (PDF) on March 22, 2011. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
^ ^a ^b COMMANDANT INSTRUCTION M1020.6F UNIFORM REGULATIONS MANUAL
^ COMDTINST M1650.25D, Medals and Awards Manual, Chapter 1, Table 1

[ReferenceA-1] "Department of Defense Manual 1348.33, Volume 3" (PDF). Defense Technical Information Center. 23 November 2010. pp. 1, 1. (2) "service devices". Archived from the original (PDF) on March 22, 2011. Retrieved 16 October 2012.

[:0-2] COMMANDANT INSTRUCTION M1020.6F UNIFORM REGULATIONS MANUAL

[3] COMDTINST M1650.25D, Medals and Awards Manual, Chapter 1, Table 1

[1]

[2]

[3]

v t e Awards and decorations of the United States Coast Guard
Decorations	Medal of Honor Coast Guard Cross Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross Coast Guard Medal Bronze Star Purple Heart Meritorious Service Air Medal Commendation Medal Achievement Medal Commandant's Letter of Commendation Ribbon
Lifesaving Medals	Gold Lifesaving Medal Silver Lifesaving Medal
Unit Awards	Presidential Unit Citation Coast Guard Unit Commendation Meritorious Unit Commendation Meritorious Team Commendation Coast Guard E Ribbon
Conduct Medals	Good Conduct Medal Reserve Good Conduct Medal
Service Awards	Combat Action Ribbon Enlisted Person of the Year Ribbon Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal Special Operations Service Ribbon Sea Service Ribbon Restricted Duty Ribbon Overseas Service Ribbon Basic Training Honor Graduate Ribbon Recruiting Service Ribbon
Marksmanship	Distinguished Marksman Medal Distinguished Pistol Shot Medal Silver Excellence-in-Competition Rifle Medal Silver Pistol Excellence-in-Competition Medal Bronze Excellence-in-Competition Rifle Medal Bronze Pistol Excellence-in-Competition Medal Expert Rifle Medal Expert Pistol Medal Sharpshooter Rifle Ribbon Sharpshooter Pistol Ribbon Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon

Authorized awards

See also

References