CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED// ROUTINE R 071535Z JUN 23 MID120000193253U FM CNO WASHINGTON DC TO NAVADMIN INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS NAVADMIN 136/23 MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/DNS/JUN// PASS TO OFFICE CODES: FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//DNS INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//DNS SUBJ/UNIT AWARDS PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS// REF/A/DOC/SECNAV/16AUG2019// NARR/REF A IS SECNAV M-1650.1 NAVY AND MARINE CORPS AWARDS MANUAL.// RMKS/1. The purpose of this NAVADMIN is to enhance efficiency across the Department of the Navy (DON) by providing amplifying guidance for originating, endorsing, and processing recommendations to assist awarding authorities in recognizing deserving units with an appropriate award within an acceptable time period. The basic eligibility and criteria contained in reference (a) remains unchanged. 2. The typical unit award in the last year has taken more than 700 days from the end of the meritorious period and more than 400 days from the date or origination to receive a decision from the approval authority. This timeline is simply not acceptable. Unit decorations must be originated as soon as practicable after the distinguishing act or period of service to be recognized. 3. The following guidance, timelines, and best practices for unit awards are provided to facilitate a smooth process for final disposition. a. Recommendations shall be initiated no later than 60 days following the completion of the meritorious period for which the award is being recommended and shall be routed through either the Administrative (for sustained performance) or Operational (for deployment) Chain of Command. Additionally, unit awards must reach the CNO Awards Branch (DNS-13) no later than 120 days from the end of the meritorious period. Any recommendation not submitted in a timely manner must be accompanied by a letter with full explanation of the circumstances that caused the delay. The letter must also include actions the submitting command is taking to prevent future late unit awards submissions. "Administrative oversight" is not an acceptable explanation. b. Errors or missing information in the submitted recommendation adversely affect processing and adjudication. Endorsing Commanders have the responsibility to return the award submission to the originator if it is not submitted in accordance with reference (a) and this NAVADMIN. Common errors observed include: (1) Incorrect cited unit. The cited unit's name listed in Block 6 should match Standard Navy Distribution List (SNDL) naming conventions. The SNDL can be accessed via https://flankspeed.sharepoint- mil.us/sites/OPNAV/DNS/DNS1/DNS12/SitePages/Home.aspx. (2) Meritorious dates in the Summary of Action (SOA) and proposed citation must match the date indicated in Block 17. (3) The actions of the participating commands referenced in the citation, must match what is in the SOA. (4) Any unit mentioned in the SOA must be included in the participating command supplemental. (5) Missing or incomplete list of participating commands- participating command lists are either missing or incomplete. All commands listed must also have Unit Identification Code listed. (6) OPNAV 1650/14 Unit Award Recommendation that does not have all appropriate endorsers will be returned without action. (7) An estimated total number of personnel (Officer, Enlisted, U.S. Civilians, other U.S. Armed Forces, or Foreign Militaries) who would be eligible to participate in the award if approved must be included with the recommendation. 4. Point of Contact is DNS-13, at (703) 695-0053 or via e-mail at CNO awards AT us.navy.mil. Additional award resources can also be located at: https://flankspeed.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/OPNAV/DNS/DNS1/DNS- 13/SitePages/Home.aspx 5. This NAVADMIN will remain in effect until superseded or cancelled. 6. Released by Mr. Andrew S. Haeuptle, Director, Navy Staff.// BT #0001 NNNN CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED//