3 FAM 4820
HONOR AWARDS
(CT:PER-916; 08-20-2018)
(Office of Origin: HR/PE)
3 FAM 4821 GENERAL
3 FAM 4821.1 Purpose
(CT:PER-916; 08-20-2018)
(State and USAID)
(Foreign Service, Civil Service, and Locally Employed Staff)
a. Honor awards bestow recognition on an individual or
group who have made significant contributions to their agency's mission.
b. The honor awards vary in scope and magnitude. The
impact of the act or deed that precipitates
the nomination must be carefully examined and consideration given to whether
the act to be recognized benefits the post or bureau, the area, the agency, or
the Federal government as a whole.
3 FAM 4821.2 Group Awards
(CT:PER-742; 07-24-2014)
(State and USAID)
(Foreign Service, Civil Service, and Locally Employed Staff)
a. Nominations for group awards are limited only to
those individuals in an organizational segment who have made substantial
contributions to the group effort. Nominators of a group award must:
(1) Name the individuals comprising the group (two or
more individuals comprise a group);
(2) Avoid recommending a large number of persons who
patently could not have contributed to the performance being honored; and
(3) Be able to equate and justify the group
performance to the criteria established for honoring individuals.
b. Each member of a group award may receive a
certificate signed by an appropriate agency official or the unit may receive
one certificate to be displayed in the unit. No medal sets are given to the
members of group awards.
3 FAM 4822 SECRETARY AWARDS
3 FAM 4822.1 The Secretary's Award
3 FAM 4822.1-1 Description
(CT:PER-742; 07-24-2014)
(State and USAID)
(Foreign Service, Civil Service, and Locally Employed Staff)
a. The Secretary's Award is presented to employees of
State, USAID, and Marine security guards assigned to diplomatic and consular
facilities who suffer serious incapacitating injuries in the performance of
official duties.
b. The award consists of a medal set and a certificate
signed by the Secretary of State.
3 FAM 4822.1-2 Nominating and
Approval Procedures
(CT:PER-886; 10-13-2017)
(State and USAID)
(Foreign Service, Civil Service, and Locally Employed Staff)
a. Nominations for the Secretary's Award are submitted
on Form DS-0066, Nomination for Award, through supervisory channels to the
Joint Country Awards Committee for review and recommendation to the chief of
mission. Approved nominations will be forwarded through the appropriate area
awards committee to the Department Awards Committee for final action.
b. Nominations initiated in Washington are submitted
through the appropriate area awards committee to the Department Awards
Committee for final action.
3 FAM 4822.2 The Secretarys
Distinguished Service Award
3 FAM 4822.2-1 Description
(CT:PER-916; 08-20-2018)
(State and USAID)
(Foreign Service, Civil Service, and Locally Employed Staff)
a. The Secretarys Distinguished Service Award is
presented at the discretion of the Secretary in recognition of exceptionally
outstanding leadership, especially in the
management of safety and security issues; professional competence, including ensuring employee accountability and the
effective management of inappropriate employee behavior; and significant
accomplishment over a sustained period of time in the field of foreign affairs.
Such achievements must be of notable national or international significance
and have made an important contribution to the advancement of U.S. national
interests.
b. The award is personally authorized by the Secretary
of State, provided that one of the criteria eligibility in 3 FAM 4813.2
is met. It may be presented to members of the foreign affairs communities.
c. The award consists of a medal set and a certificate
signed by the Secretary of State. The award
nomination, as approved under 3 FAM 4822.2-2 will be included in the recipients Official
Performance File.
3 FAM 4822.2-2 Nominating and
Approval Procedures
(CT:PER-916; 08-20-2018)
(State and USAID)
(Foreign Service, Civil Service, and Locally Employed Staff)
a. Nominations for
the Secretarys Distinguished Service Award should
be submitted to the Human Resources Office of Performance Evaluation (HR/PE) by
an Assistant Secretary-level official or higher on Form DS-0066. Nominations may also be initiated by the Secretary
of State. HR/PE will forward nominations to the Department Awards Committee for
review and recommendation to the Secretary, who will determine final approval. For
the purposes of this award only, the Department Awards Committee will be
chaired by the Deputy Secretary of State and will be convened on a quarterly
basis.
b. Employees may be
nominated for the Secretarys Distinguished Service award only once per
calendar year.
3 FAM 4823 Certificate of Valor
3 FAM 4823.1 Description
(CT:PER-742; 07-24-2014)
(State and USAID)
(Foreign Service, Civil Service, Locally Employed Staff and Eligible Family
Members)
a. Considering the extraordinary and hazardous
conditions of service encountered in conflict zones throughout the world, the
Department of State and USAID desire to recognize personnel serving in these
areas. The certificate may be awarded for physical injuries sustained in the
performance of duty from a hostile action against the United States which does
not result in death, permanent injury, or disability.
b. This nonmonetary award consists of a certificate
signed by the chief of mission which must be conferred at post. In the event
the employee has left the post, it must be presented by the assistant secretary
of the respective bureau. The certificate may be awarded to employees who
sustain physical injuries in the performance of duty less serious than those
that would qualify for, but not to the degree required by, the Thomas Jefferson
Star award.
c. Effective Date: The award is effective as of July
3, 2007. Retroactive nominations will be considered for the Director General's
signature following recommendation from the Bureau.
3 FAM 4823.2 Eligibility
(CT:PER-742; 07-24-2014)
(State and USAID)
(Foreign Service, Civil Service, Locally Employed Staff and Eligible Family
Members)
a. Any U.S. government civilian employee under chief-of-mission
authority, including Foreign Service and/or Civil Service direct-hire
employees, locally employed staff, eligible family members, nonfamily member
U.S. citizen employees hired at post (appointed under Section 303 or Section
311(a) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended), and U.S. citizens and
foreign nationals serving under a personal services agreement or personal services
contract (if eligibility for the award is authorized in their contracts), are
eligible for the Certificate of Valor.
b. The employee's injuries must be sustained in the performance
of duty, which requires that there is a nexus between the injury and the act of
serving abroad in an official capacity. This may be by reason of location at
the U.S. mission, by reason of the employee's status as a U.S. Government
official, or by reason of the fact that the employee was performing, or en route
to performing, official duties in the course of sustaining the injury.
3 FAM 4823.3 Nominating and
Approval Procedures
(CT:PER-886; 10-13-2017)
(State and USAID)
(Foreign Service, Civil Service, Locally Employed Staff and Eligible Family
Members)
a. Nominations for the Certificate of Valor are
submitted on Form DS-0066, Nomination for
Award, through supervisory channels to the Joint Country Awards Committee and
must be cleared by medical personnel at post for review and recommendation to
the chief of mission. Approved nominations will be forwarded through the
appropriate awards committee for final action.
b. Post management is responsible for developing the
list of eligible recipients for presentation of the award. Washington offices
of State and USAID are responsible for presenting certificates to those
employees who depart post without receiving the certificate from the embassy.
3 FAM 4824 Award for Heroism
3 FAM 4824.1 Description
(CT:PER-742; 07-24-2014)
(State and USAID)
(Foreign Service, Civil Service, Locally Employed Staff and all others under
chief of mission authority)
a. The Award for Heroism is presented to employees of
State, USAID, Marine security guards assigned to diplomatic and consular
facilities and all others under chief-of-mission authority in recognition of
acts of courage or outstanding performance under unusually difficult or
dangerous circumstances, whether or not in connection with the performance of
assigned duties. It may be granted for:
(1) Sustained superior performance while under threat
of physical attack or harassment; or
(2) An individual act of courage or exceptional
performance at the risk of personal safety.
b. The award consists of a medal set and a certificate
signed by the Secretary.
3 FAM 4824.2 Nominating and
Approval Procedures
(CT:PER-886; 10-13-2017)
(State and USAID)
(Foreign Service, Civil Service, Locally Employed Staff and all others under
chief of mission authority)
a. Nominations for the Award for Heroism are submitted
on Form DS-0066, Nomination for Award,
through supervisory channels to the Joint Country Awards Committee for review
and recommendation to the chief of mission. Approved nominations will be
forwarded through the appropriate area awards committee to the Department
Awards Committee for final action.
b. Nominations initiated in Washington are submitted
through the appropriate area awards committee to the Department Awards
Committee for final action.
3 FAM 4825 Thomas Jefferson Star for
Foreign Service
3 FAM 4825.1 Description
(CT:PER-742; 07-24-2014)
(State and USAID)
(Foreign Service, Civil Service, Locally Employed Staff and all others under chief
of mission authority)
a. The Thomas Jefferson Star for Foreign Service
recognizes those individuals who, while traveling or serving abroad on official
business, are killed or incur a serious illness or injury that results in
death, permanent incapacity or disability.
b. The award consists of a Foreign Service Star Medal
and a certificate signed by the President and the Secretary.
c. Posthumous awards must be issued to the recipient
employees next of kin.
3 FAM 4825.2 Eligibility
(CT:PER-742; 07-24-2014)
(State and USAID)
(Foreign Service, Civil Service, Locally Employed Staff and all others under
chief of mission authority)
Any civilian employee of any agency, including locally
employed staff (appointed under Section 303 of the FSA), nonfamily member U.S.
citizen employees hired at post (appointed under Section 303 and appointed
under Section 311(a) of the FSA), and U.S. citizens and foreign nationals
serving under a personal services ontract or personal services agreement (if
eligibility for the award is authorized in their contracts), are eligible for
the Thomas Jefferson Star for Foreign Service as long as the employee is:
(1) Under the administrative direction of State or
USAID;
(2) Employed at, or assigned permanently or
temporarily to an official mission abroad, or while traveling abroad on
official business; and
(3) Killed or incurs a serious illness or injury which
requires hospitalization or similar treatment and which results in incapacity
or disability that prevents the employee from performing his or her official
duties or adversely affects his or her ability to obtain medical clearance,
while the employee:
(a) Is performing official duties;
(b) Is located on the premises of a U.S. mission
abroad; or alternatively; and
(c) By reason of the individuals status as U.S. Government
employee.
3 FAM 4825.3 Criteria
(CT:PER-742; 07-24-2014)
(State and USAID)
(Foreign Service, Civil Service, Locally Employed Staff and all others under
chief of mission authority)
a. Selection of award recipients will be based on:
(1) The nexus between the death, illness or injury and
the act of serving abroad in an official capacity. The death, illness, or
injury must be linked to the official duties of the employee. This may be by
reason of location at the U. S. mission, by reason of the employees status as
a U.S. Government official, or by reason of the fact that the employee is
performing, or en route to perform official duties; and
(2) The seriousness of the illness or injury. An
illness or injury is serious if it requires hospitalization or similar
treatment and results in incapacity or disability that prevents the employee
from performing his or her official duties or adversely affects his or her
ability to obtain medical clearance.
b. Examples of employees meeting the selection criteria
include, but are not limited to:
(1) The United States as the target of hostile action:
(a) Mission as target while performing official duty,
hostile fire kills or wounds a U. S. civilian employee who is accompanying U.S.
peacekeepers abroad; or
(b) Employee as target, but not while on official
duty, a commercial airliner flying abroad is hijacked and an employee, by
reason of his or her status as a U.S. Government official, is subjected to
mistreatment resulting in death, injury or serious illness;
(2) Accidents occurring in a hostile environment or
crisis situation:
(a) Employee is killed or wounded by friendly fire
launched to counter or respond to hostile action;
(b) Employee is killed or wounded in an automobile or
airplane accident caused by a hostile action or crisis situation; and
(c) Employee is killed or wounded by a land mine,
trap, bomb or chemical/biological agent, even if not targeted at the employee
or the United States;
(3) Natural disasters linked to service:
(a) Employee is killed or wounded while away from the
mission but while performing official duties, e.g., an earthquake abroad causes
a building to collapse, killing several employees who are negotiating an arms
control treaty; or
(b) Employee is killed or injured at the mission,
e.g., a flood strikes a U.S. Embassy compound, killing and injuring dozens of
employees;
(4) Nothing in this subsection (3 FAM 4825.3)
should limit the discretion of the Secretary to recommend the Thomas Jefferson
Star for Foreign Service Award for an otherwise eligible (see 3 FAM 4825.2)
and deserving employee.
3 FAM 4825.4 Nominating and
Approval Procedures
(CT:PER-742; 07-24-2014)
(State and USAID)
(Foreign Service, Civil Service, Locally Employed Staff and all others under
chief of mission authority)
Nominations for the Thomas Jefferson Star for Foreign
Service Award must be initiated by the chief of mission or by an assistant
secretary, cleared by the Medical Director, as appropriate, and then submitted
to the Department Awards Committee for review and recommendation to the
Secretary. The Secretary must make final recommendations to the President.
3 FAM 4825.5 Effective Date
(CT:PER-742; 07-24-2014)
(State and USAID)
(Foreign Service, Civil Service, Locally Employed Staff and all others under
chief of mission authority)
a. The effective date for the Thomas Jefferson Star for
Foreign Service must be August 7, 1998.
b. An employee or surviving next of kin may petition
the Department Awards Committee to consider individuals who are eligible and
deserving of the Thomas Jefferson Star for Foreign Service notwithstanding the
fact that the illness, injury or death occurred prior to the effective date.
3 FAM 4826 Distinguished Honor Award
3 FAM 4826.1 Description
(CT:PER-742; 07-24-2014)
(State and USAID)
(Foreign Service, Civil Service, and Locally Employed Staff)
a. The level of achievement upon which nominations for
the Distinguished Honor Award are based, should be comparable to the following:
(1) Exceptionally outstanding service to the agencies
or the U.S. Government resulting in achievements of marked national or
international significance;
(2) Exceptionally outstanding service and/or
leadership in the administration of one or more agency programs that results in
the highly successful accomplishment of mission, or in a major attainment of
objectives or specific accomplishment to meet unique or emergency situations;
and
(3) Outstanding accomplishments over a prolonged
period that involve the exercise of authority or judgment in the public
interest.
b. The award consists of a medal set and a certificate
signed, as appropriate, by the Secretary of State.
c. For USAID, after bureau/office/mission review and
approval by the appropriate assistant administrator or office head, nominations
are forwarded to the USAID Incentive Awards Committee and the Administrator of
USAID for final approval.
3 FAM 4826.2 Nominating and
Approval Procedures
(CT:PER-886; 10-13-2017)
(State and USAID)
(Foreign Service, Civil Service, and Locally Employed Staff)
a. Nominations for the Distinguished Honor Award are
submitted on Form DS-0066, Nomination for Award, through supervisory channels
to the Joint Country Awards Committee for review and recommendation to the
chief of mission. Approved nominations will be forwarded through the
appropriate area awards committee to the Department Awards Committee for final
action.
b. Nominations initiated in Washington are submitted
through the appropriate area awards committee to the Department Awards
Committee for final action.
3 FAM 4827 Superior Honor Award
3 FAM 4827.1 Description
(CT:PER-916; 08-20-2018)
(State and USAID)
(Foreign Service, Civil Service, and Locally Employed Staff)
a. The Superior Honor Award is presented to groups or
individuals in recognition of a special act or service or sustained
extraordinary performance covering a period of 1 year
or longer. The following criteria are applicable to granting a Superior Honor
Award:
(1) Contributions which had a substantial impact on
the accomplishment of the agencys missions, goals, or objectives;
(2) Accomplishments which substantially contributed to
the advancement of U.S. government interests;
(3) Exceptional performance in one or more areas of
the employees official duties as defined in the Work Requirements Statement
(Foreign Service) or Performance Plan (Civil Service);
(4) Innovation and creativity in accomplishing long-term
tasks or projects;
(5) Contributions that resulted in increased
productivity and efficiency, and economy of operations at agency level; and/or
(6) Exceptional devotion to duty under adverse
conditions.
b. The award consists of a certificate signed by an Assistant
Secretary or an official of equivalent rank.
3 FAM 4827.2 Nominating and
Approval Procedures
(CT:PER-886; 10-13-2017)
(State and USAID)
(Foreign Service, Civil Service, and Locally Employed Staff)
a. Nominations for the Superior Honor Award are
submitted on Form DS-0066, Nomination for
Award, through supervisory channels to the Joint Country Awards Committee for
review and recommendation to the chief of mission. Approved nominations will
be forwarded to the appropriate area awards committee for final action.
b. Nominations initiated in Washington are submitted to
the appropriate area awards committee for final action.
c. For nominations submitted by USAID employees: After
the post committee has approved the nomination, it is then submitted to USAID
headquarters for final review. Nominations of USAID employees submitted by
Department of State employees are submitted to the Bureau area awards committee
for final review. Once approved, the nomination is forwarded to USAID
headquarters for processing.
3 FAM 4828 Meritorious Honor Award
3 FAM 4828.1 Description
(CT:PER-742; 07-24-2014)
(State and USAID)
(Foreign Service, Civil Service, and Locally Employed Staff)
a. The Meritorious Honor Award is presented to groups
or individuals in recognition of a special act or service or sustained
outstanding performance. The following criteria are applicable to granting a
Meritorious Honor Award:
(1) Outstanding service in support of a one-time event
(e.g., support for a major conference or summit meeting);
(2) Innovation and creativity in accomplishing
short-term tasks or projects;
(3) Outstanding performance in one or more areas of
the employees official duties as defined in the Work Requirements Statement
(Foreign Service) or Performance Plan (Civil Service); and/or
(4) Contributions that resulted in increased
productivity and efficiency, and economy of operations at post or bureau level.
b. The award consists of a certificate signed by the Assistant
Secretary or an official of equivalent rank for domestic employees or by the
chief of mission at the post level.
3 FAM 4828.2 Nominating and
Approval Procedures
(CT:PER-886; 10-13-2017)
(State and USAID)
(Foreign Service, Civil Service, and Locally Employed Staff)
a. Nominations for State and USAID employees are
submitted on Form DS-0066, Nomination for Award, through supervisory channels
to the Joint Country Awards Committee for review and recommendation to the
chief of mission for final action.
b. Nominations initiated in Washington are submitted to
the appropriate area awards committee for final action. For USAID, nominations
initiated in Washington are reviewed by the USAID bureau/office with final
approval by the appropriate assistant administrator or office head.
3 FAM 4829 Honor Awards for Retiring
Employees
3 FAM 4829.1 The Secretarys
Career Achievement Award
3 FAM 4829.1-1 Description
(CT:PER-742; 07-24-2014)
(State Only)
(Foreign Service, Civil Service, and Locally Employed Staff)
a. The Secretarys Career Achievement Award is
conferred on behalf of the Secretary to a retiring Department of State Foreign
Service or Civil Service employee in the Department who, over a period of 25
years or more of U.S. Government and/or military service, has performed with
dedication and distinction.
b. Recipients receive a certificate signed by the
Secretary.
3 FAM 4829.1-2 Procedures
(CT:PER-742; 07-24-2014)
(State Only)
(Foreign Service, Civil Service, and Locally Employed Staff)
a. A retiring Foreign Service or Civil Service employee
who wishes to receive this award should submit Form DS-5079, Department of
State Retirement Recognition Request to the Office of Retirement.
b. Nominations initiated in Washington are submitted to
the appropriate area committee for final action.
c. Requests submitted by posts for American and LE staff
must include a citation of 50 words or less, otherwise the bureau awards officer
will provide generic citations. The bureau awards officer will forward citations
to S/ES-EX for approval before printing; once printed, the awards officer will
obtain the Secretarys signature. Certificates for overseas posts will be
forwarded for presentation. The awards officer will arrange for the
presentation of certificates for domestic employees.
3 FAM 4829.2 Department of State
Retirement Recognition Award
3 FAM 4829.2-1 Description
(CT:PER-742; 07-24-2014)
(State Only)
(Foreign Service and Civil Service employees)
a. The Department of State Retirement Recognition Award
is conferred to retiring Foreign Service and Civil Service employees in the
Department who, over a period of fewer than 25 years of U.S. Government and/or
military service, have performed with dedication and distinction.
b. Recipients receive a certificate signed by the
Director General that features standard language and does not require an
individual citation.
3 FAM 4829.2-2 Processing
Procedures
(CT:PER-742; 07-24-2014)
(State only)
(Foreign Service, Civil Service, and Locally Employed Staff)
A retiring Foreign Service or Civil Service employee who
wishes to receive this award should submit Form DS-5079, Department of State
Retirement Recognition Request to the Office of Retirement (HR/RET) when
submitting his/her retirement application. HR/RET will forward the request to
the employee's bureau awards coordinator. The bureau will have the necessary
certificate printed and obtain the Director Generals signature.
3 FAM 4829.3 Ambassador's
Retirement Recognition Award
3 FAM 4829.3-1 Description
(CT:PER-742; 07-24-2014)
(State Only)
(Locally Employed Staff)
The Ambassador's Retirement Recognition Award is conferred
to retiring locally employed staff members who have performed with dedication
and distinction over their career for a period of less than 25 years.
Recipients receive a certificate signed by the chief of mission. At post's
discretion, locally employed staff may also receive a U.S. flag flown at post.
3 FAM 4829.3-2 Procedures
(CT:PER-742; 07-24-2014)
(State Only)
(Locally Employed Staff)
a. Post nominates candidates for this award.
b. Certificates are requested from the bureau awards officer,
who will arrange printing, and forward to post for the chief of mission
signature, and presentation.
3 FAM 4829.4 Foreign Affairs Award
for Public Service
3 FAM 4829.4-1 Description
(CT:PER-742; 07-24-2014)
(State Only)
(Foreign Service, Civil Service, and Locally Employed Staff)
a. The Foreign Affairs Award for Public Service is
presented to departing noncareer employees who, during their association with
the Department, have performed with exceptional dedication and distinction.
b. Recipients receive a certificate signed by the
Secretary.
3 FAM 4829.4-2 Nominating and
Approval Procedures
(CT:PER-886; 10-13-2017)
(State Only)
(Foreign Service, Civil Service, and Locally Employed Staff)
a. Nominations for the Foreign Affairs Award for Public
Service are submitted on Form DS-0066, through supervisory channels to the
Joint Country Awards Committee for review and recommendation to the chief of
mission. Approved nominations will be forwarded through the appropriate area
awards committee to the Department Awards Committee for final action.
b. Nominations initiated in Washington are submitted
through the appropriate area awards committee to the Department Awards
Committee for final action.