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a. Criteria. (1) The Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC) (Army) (previously called the Meritorious Service Unit Plaque) is awarded to units for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services for at least 6 continuous months during the period of military operations against an armed enemy occurring on or after 1 January 1944. Service in a combat zone is not required, but must be directly related to the combat effort. Units based in the continental United States are excluded from this award as are other units outside the area of operation. The unit must display such outstanding devotion and superior performance of exceptionally difficult tasks as to set it apart and above other units with similar missions. The degree of achievement required is the same as that which would warrant award of the Legion of Merit to an individual. Only in rare cases will a unit larger than a battalion qualify for award of this decoration. For services performed during World War II, awards will be made only to service units and only for services performed between 1 January 1944 and 15 September 1946. (2) Effective 1 March 1961, the MUC was authorized for units and/or detachments of the Armed Forces of the United States for exceptionally meritorious conduct in performance of outstanding services for at least 6 continuous months in support of military operations. Service(s), as used in this paragraph, is interpreted to relate to combat service support type activities and not to the type of activities performed by senior headquarters, combat, or combat support units. b. Recommendations. Recommendations for the MUC (Army) will be processed as follows: (1) Recommendations. Recommendations will be initiated by a senior or parent headquarters to the unit recommended and will be submitted as promptly as practicable, supported by the following data: (a) List of tasks performed during the period. (b) Record of absence without leave. (c) Convictions by court-martial. (d) Punishments under Article 15, Uniform Code of Military Justice. (e) Any other pertinent information. (f) A proposed citation. (2) Time limits. Each recommendation for the MUC (Army) must be formally entered into official channels within 2 years from the date of the heroism or services performed. (3) Channels for submission. Recommendations for award of the MUC (Army) to a unit of the Armed Forces of the United States or a cobelligerent nation serving in a joint command will be submitted through command channels to the commander or military department having authority to make the award. When a recommendation covers services, all or a portion of which were performed while the unit was operating under a joint commander, comments or recommendation concerning the valorous actions of that unit will be obtained from the joint commander concerned. (4) Intermediate level recommendations. Intermediate level commanders will recommend approval or disapproval for each recommendation and forward it to the next higher headquarters. If disapproval is recommended, the reasons for disapproval will be cited. c. Awarding authorities. During the period of military operations against an armed enemy and for 1 year thereafter, commanding generals of armies and higher units are authorized to award MUC to brigades, battalions, and smaller or comparable units under their command. This authority will not be further delegated. HQ, PERSCOM will take final action on all other cases. Unless otherwise delegated, authority to make this award to units recommended subsequent to 1 March 1961 will be retained at HQ, PERSCOM. d. Award elements. The award elements for the MUC are as follows: (1) MUC Streamer. (2) MUC Emblem. (3) Certificate. (4) Department of the Army General Orders. |
