Awards and Decorations

Indiana National Guard leadership poses with front from right, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Brett Milton, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Craig Adams, Sgt. 1st Class Adam Kabella and Sgt. Dalton McCollum, are recognized for their heroism during a ceremony at Stout Field in Indianapolis, Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. The soldiers received their awards for helping to save lives during Kentucky floods in February. (Indiana National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Jeff Lowry)

Recognizing Excellence in the Indiana National Guard

The Indiana National Guard awards and decorations program fosters mission accomplishment by recognizing excellence of both military and civilian members of the force and motivating them to high levels of performance and service. Indiana decorations are meant to recognize achievements which have significantly contributed to the readiness or effectiveness of a unit or organization or have made notable contributions to morale or “esprit de corps.” Awards are based on specific time periods or achievements.

Read HQ-INNG Regulation 600-8-22 (PDF)

Bronze Oakleaf Cluster	Silver Oakleaf Cluster	2nd Award	15 Years Service	20 Years Service	25 Years Service

	Name of Award	Description
	Indiana Distinguished Service Cross	The IDSC is authorized by Indiana Code 10-16-12-1 (1). It is awarded to any Officer, Warrant Officer or Enlisted Member, Army or Air, who performs, at great personal danger and risk of life or limb in peace or war, any act of heroism designed to protect life or property. In the face of a military or armed enemy of the United States government or of the state of Indiana, performs an act above and beyond the call of duty, which act, danger, or risk the officer or enlisted person could have failed to perform or incur without being subject to censure for neglect of duty; or through an act of courage contributes directly to saving the life or lives of others.
	Indiana Distinguished Service Medal	The IDSM is authorized by Indiana Code 10-16-12-1 (2). This decoration was established by General Orders Number 9, AGO-IN, dated 5 February 1962, effective 1 January 1954. It is awarded to any Officer, Warrant Officer or Enlisted Member, Army or Air, and to DA civilians, for performance that exceeds the typical distinguished or meritorious service performance, which to a marked degree is reflective of the increasing efficiency of the militia, or such service brings exceptional and great honor or credit to the Indiana Armed Forces and commands the attention and respect of the citizens of the state and members of the military establishment throughout the United States.
Indiana Commendation Medal		The ICOM is authorized by Indiana Code 10-16-12-1 (4). The Indiana General Assembly established this decoration on 10 January 1963. It is awarded to any Officer, Warrant Officer or Enlisted Member, or DA civilian, who distinguishes themselves by outstanding meritorious service or achievement, while of a lesser degree than that required for the Indiana Distinguished Service Medal or higher. Exceptional performance of normal duty does not justify an award.
Indiana Achievement Medal		The IAM is authorized by Indiana Code 10-16-12-1 (5). This decoration was established by Public Law 155-2025, effective 1 July 2025. It is awarded to any Officer, Warrant Officer, Enlisted Member or DoD Civilian who distinguishes themselves by outstanding achievement or service. The required achievement or service, while of lesser degree than that required for the award of the Indiana Commendation Medal, must have been accomplished with distinction.
Indiana Outstanding Airman or Soldier-of-the-Year Medal		The IOYM is authorized by Indiana Code 10-16-12-The IOYM is authorized by Indiana Code 10-16-12-1 (9). This decoration was established by Public Law 155-2025, effective 1 July 2025. It is awarded annually to one enlisted (E1-E4) and one NCO (E5-E9) from the Army National Guard and four recipients from the Air National Guard; one Airman (E1-E4), one Staff NCO (E5-E6), one Senior NCO (E7-E9) and one First Sergeant.
Indiana Long Service Medal		The ILSM is authorized by Indiana Code 10-16-12-1 (3). It is awarded to any Officer, Warrant Officer or Enlisted Service Member for longevity while performing in an honorable and faithful manner. Initial award is presented upon 10 years of honorable and faithful service, non-consecutive, and subsequent awards are presented in qualifying five year periods thereafter.
Indiana National Emergency Service Ribbon		The NESR is authorized by Executive Order Number 9-62, dated 8 August 1962, and General Orders Number 44, Military Department of Indiana, dated 15 August 1962. It is authorized for wear by any Officer, Warrant Officer or Enlisted Service Member that served honorably and faithfully on active federal service, for a period of 30 days or more, and/or units ordered to active federal service during a national emergency. The character of service must be honorable for one or more of the following periods: 1. Berlin Crisis. Air National Guard active federal service during the 1961 Berlin Crisis. Vietnam. Army National Guard (Co. D, Ranger) active federal service during 1968 and 1969. 2. Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Army and Air National Guard ordered to active federal service in support of Desert Shield/ Storm beginning 2 August 1990 through 3 March 1992.
Indiana Homeland Defense Service Ribbon		The IHDSR is authorized by Executive Order 2-17, dated 28 August 2002, and Military Department of Indiana Permanent Orders 240-001, dated 28 August 2002. It is authorized for wear by any Officer, Warrant Officer or Enlisted Service Member. This ribbon may be issued to and worn by any Soldier that has served honorably and faithfully on homeland defense service missions performed within the 54 states and territories.
Indiana Desert Shield/Storm Service Ribbon		The IODSR is authorized by Executive Order 91-7 dated 17 May 1991, and Military Department of Indiana Permanent Orders 054-002, dated 17 May 1991. It is authorized for wear by any Officer, Warrant Officer or Enlisted Service Member. This ribbon may be awarded to any Soldier that was activated in support of the operations Desert Shield and or Desert Storm.
Indiana Emergency Service Ribbon		The IESR is authorized by Indiana Code IC 10-16-12-1 (6) Indiana. It was established by Executive Order 2-79, dated 16 January 1979, and permanent orders 2-9-12, dated 5 March 1979. It is authorized for wear by all Officers, Warrant Officers and Enlisted Service Members who served honorably and faithfully on State Active Duty during a state emergency.
Indiana Overseas Service Ribbon		The IOSR is authorized by Executive Orders Number 2-18, AGO-IN, dated 28 August 2002. It is authorized for wear by all Officers, Warrant Officers and Enlisted Service Members that satisfy the following criteria: 1. For military service in operational missions for 30 days or more on or after 11 September 2001. The duty necessary to qualify for this award is military operational duty expressly performed in support of the United States’ efforts to preserve and protect international order, peace and stability. Service qualifying for this award may only include federal duty under Title 10 of the USC. Duty performed during annual training, inactive duty training, schools or other training exercises does not qualify for this award. 2. Service is verified by reviewing activation orders, deactivation orders and Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214).
Indiana First Sergeant Ribbon		The Indiana First Sergeant Ribbon is authorized by Indiana Code 10-16-12-1 (8). It is authorized for wear by any member of the Indiana Air National Guard who serves or has previously served as a First Sergeant career field, Special Duty Identifier 8F000, and who meets the following criteria: 1. Has been assigned to a valid First Sergeant position for at least three years. Graduated from either the United States Air Force Academy or the Army National Guard First Sergeant Academy.
Indiana OCONUS Ribbon		The INOCONUS is authorized by Executive Orders number 17-82, dated 17 June 1982. It is authorized for ear by any Officer, Warrant Officer and Enlisted Service Member for honorable service outside the continental limits of the United States.
Indiana Funeral Honors Ribbon		The IFHR is authorized by Indiana Code 10-16-12-1 (8), dated 7 February 2011. It is authorized for wear by all Officers, Warrant Officers and Enlisted Service Members of the Indiana National Guard. It is awarded to denote honorable and distinguished service in the performance of military funerals and similar activities within the state of Indiana.
Indiana Recruiting Ribbon		The INREC is authorized by Executive Order 96-2, dated 9 April 1996, and Permanent Order Number 001-001 MDI-AGO, dated 2 January 1997. It is awarded to any Officer, Warrant Officer or Enlisted Member listed as the source lead for the enlistment or appointment of one member into the Indiana National Guard.
Indiana Retention Ribbon		The INRET is authorized by Executive Order 96-2, dated 9 April 1996, and Permanent Order Number 001-001 JFHQ-IN-AGO, dated 2 January 1997. It is awarded to any Officer, Warrant Officer or Enlisted Member that has been directly responsible for the retention of five members of the Indiana National Guard.
Indiana Volunteer Emblem		The IVE is authorized by General Orders number 59, AGO-IN, dated 21 July 1964, effective 22 July 1964. It is authorized for wear by all Officers, Warrant Officers and Enlisted Service Members that have served honorably and faithfully in the Indiana Army National Guard for the duration of their initial contracted period plus one day. This award’s purpose is to recognize those members of the Indiana National Guard who are truly military volunteers, serving beyond their initial military service obligation.
Indiana Exemplary Fitness Medal		The IEFM is authorized by Indiana Code 10-16-12-1 (11). This decoration was established by Public Law 155-2025, effective 1 July 2025It is awarded to Airmen or Soldiers who scored 90% or higher in each event of their respective Physical Fitness Test. The medal can only be awarded once per Fiscal Year.