Air Force Good Conduct Medal

Awarded to any enlisted member of the United States military (except U.S. Air Force personnel after 2006) who completes three consecutive years of "honorable and faithful service." Such service implies that a standard enlistment was completed without any non-judicial punishments, disciplinary infractions, or court martial offenses. If a service member commits an offense, the three-year mark "resets" and a service member must perform an additional three years of discipline free service before the Good Conduct may be authorized. The Air Force Good Conduct Medal which was authorized by Congress on July 6, 1960, but not created until June 1, 1963. Between 1947 and 1963, Air Force personnel were issued the Army Good Conduct Medal. For those serving both before and after 1963, both the Army and Air Force Good Conduct Medals could be worn simultaneously on an Air Force uniform. The 97th Air Force Uniform Board met in October 2005 and made the decision to discontinue the medal with the rationale that good conduct of Airmen is the expected standard, not an exceptional occurrence worthy of recognition. On 8 February 2006, the Board announced that effective immediately new medals will no longer be issued, but previously awarded medals that are a matter of record may still be worn. Additional decorations of the Air Force Good Conduct Medal are denoted by oak leaf clusters.