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HB323 ENROLLED
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HB323
CXSS4WJ-2
By Representatives Moore (P), Brown, Smith, Paschal, Crawford,
Rehm, Starnes, Rafferty, Carns, Standridge, Robertson, Oliver,
Wood (R), Stringer, Sorrells, Marques, Kiel, Robbins,
Treadaway, Pettus, Lawrence, Sellers, Daniels, Jackson, Jones,
Bracy, Estes
RFD: Military and Veterans' Affairs
First Read: 22-Jan-26
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First Read: 22-Jan-26
Enrolled, An Act,
Relating to state military; to amend Section 31-2-41,
Code of Alabama 1975, to revise the criteria to receive
certain awards; to create new awards; and to prescribe that
certain awards may be presented by the Governor or Adjutant
General.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. Section 31-2-41, Code of Alabama 1975, is
amended to read as follows:
"§31-2-41
(a) The Governor may present, at the expense of the
state, the following military awards to persons meeting the
respective requirements for each award. Each award may be
awarded posthumously. Concurrence of the Adjutant General
shall be required to present an award unless initiated by the
Governor. Recommendations for an award shall contain complete
factual information, including dates, as to the service or act
for which the award is recommended, with an appropriate
proposed citation:
(1) Governor's Cross. The Governor's Cross of Alabama
is the highest award. The award is presented for exceptional,
distinguished, and heroic military or civilian service in
support of military or domestic operations to the state.
Recipients shall have exhibited exceptional service through
personal acts of courage, bravery, or selfless service to the
state, including individuals who distinguish themselves by
conspicuously and voluntarily exhibiting a high degree of
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conspicuously and voluntarily exhibiting a high degree of
courage or heroism by risking serious personal injury or death
in an attempt to save another individual whose life is in
danger during a military or training exercise.
(2) Distinguished Service Medal. The Distinguished
Service Medal of Alabama is the second highest award. The
award is presented for exceptional meritorious and
distinguished military or civilian service in support of
military operations for individuals serving in positions of
great responsibility during times of war or peace.
(3) Alabama Commendation Medal. The Alabama
Commendation Medal is the third highest award. The award is
presented for meritorious and outstanding services and
accomplishments. The service may be military performance of
duty in time of war or peace. The medal may be awarded to
foreign military or civilian personnel who distinguish
themselves in a mutually beneficial manner to both the state
and the nation.
(b) The Adjutant General may present, at the expense of
the state, the following military awards to persons meeting
the respective requirements for each award. Each award may be
awarded posthumously. Recommendations for an award shall
contain complete factual information, including dates, as to
the service or act for which the award is recommended, with an
appropriate proposed citation:
(1) Exceptional Service Ribbon. The Exceptional Service
Ribbon of Alabama is the fourth highest award. The award is
presented to members of the Alabama National Guard who have
served an aggregate of 30 days in the state active service for
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served an aggregate of 30 days in the state active service for
meritorious and outstanding service during times of state
emergencies in the support of upholding the law and preserving
order, protecting lives and property, and in the relief of
civilians in disaster and similar service ordered by the
Governor.
(2) Faithful Service Ribbon of Alabama. The award is
presented to Any any present or former officer, warrant
officer, or enlisted man member of the Alabama National Guard
who shall have has faithfully served in the National Guard or
Naval Militia for an aggregate of six years ., shall have
conferred upon him the right to wear the Faithful Service
Cross, which shall be awarded by order of the Governor and
furnished at the expense of the state. Any officer, warrant
officer, or enlisted man of the National Guard or Naval
Militia of this state who shall have served an aggregate of 30
days in the active military service of the state, in the aid
of civil authorities in upholding the law and preserving
order, protecting lives and property, in the aid and relief of
citizens in disaster and other similar service, duly ordered
by the Governor, shall have conferred upon him the right to
wear the Special Service Medal, which shall be awarded by
order of the Governor and furnished at the expense of the
state. Any officer, warrant officer, or enlisted man of the
National Guard or the Naval Militia of this state who shall
have faithfully served in the National Guard or Naval Militia
of this state an aggregate of 20 years, shall have conferred
upon him the right to wear the Veterans Service Medal, which
shall be awarded by order of the Governor and furnished at the
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shall be awarded by order of the Governor and furnished at the
expense of the state. Service in the organizations of the
National Guard or Naval Militia called, drafted, or ordered
into the service of the United States shall be credited as
active service in the National Guard or Naval Militia of this
state for the purposes named in this section, when the soldier
or sailor is a member of the National Guard or Naval Militia
on the date of federal call, draft, or order, and this
provision shall be retroactive so as to include service in any
war or during acts of hostility. The Special Service Medal may
also be awarded for such special individual acts as the
Military Advisory Board may determine to be meritorious and
the Governor may approve, without regard to the period of time
involved or the date of the act A bronze St. Andrews Cross
shall be added to the award for each additional three years
served beyond six years to denote the total number of years
served by the member .
(3) Phenix City Civil Disturbance Medal of Alabama. The
award is presented for military duty or civilian service that
contributed to the overall effort during the Phenix City civil
disturbance that occurred from June 18, 1954 to January 17,
1955.
(4) Operation Desert Storm Ribbon. The award is
presented to members of the Alabama National Guard activated
on Title 10 orders who served in direct support of Operation
Desert Storm or Operation Desert Shield for at least 30 days.
Service members who worked on special duty preparing units for
mobilization are not eligible for the award.
(5) National Emergency Service Ribbon of Alabama. The
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(5) National Emergency Service Ribbon of Alabama. The
award includes the Berlin Crisis Clasp and 9-11 Clasp. The
Berlin Crisis Clasp is presented to members of the Alabama
National Guard called into active federal service during the
Berlin Crisis National Emergency, pursuant to Public Law
87-117, and Presidential Executive Order 10957, dated August
15, 1961. The 9-11 Clasp is presented to members of the
Alabama National Guard called to active federal service under
Title 10, United States Code for Operation Noble Eagle, Iraqi
Freedom, or Enduring Freedom for a minimum of 24 hours in
support thereof.
(6) Veterans Service Medal of Alabama. The award is
presented to members of the Alabama National Guard who have
served an aggregate of 21 years in active service, including
constructive service in organizations of the National Guard
while ordered into the federal service. Qualifying service
does not include constructive service in any Reserve
Component, except the National Guard. A bronze oak leaf
cluster shall be added to the award for each three additional
years served beyond 21 years to denote the total number of
years served by the member.
(7) Special Service Ribbon of Alabama. The award is
presented to members of the Alabama National Guard who have
served an aggregate of 30 days in the state active service for
meritorious and outstanding service during times of state
emergencies in the support of upholding the law and preserving
order, protecting lives and property, and in the relief of
civilians in disaster and similar service ordered by the
Governor.
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Governor.
(8) First Sergeant Service Ribbon. The award is
presented to a First Sergeant, Special Duty Identifier 8F000,
in recognition of meritorious service who has been assigned to
a First Sergeant Unit Manning Position for at least three
years and has attended the United States Air Force or Air
National Guard First Sergeant Academy. Acting First Sergeants
are not eligible for the award.
(9) Honor Guard Service Ribbon. The award is presented
to all members of the Alabama Army and Air National Guard who
perform military funeral honors and who satisfy all Honor
Guard expectations, including completion of the requisite
number of funeral details.
(10) Alabama National Guard Recruiting Ribbon. The
award is presented to members of the Alabama National Guard
who have excelled as a production recruiter and who meet the
qualifications set by the State Military Department.
(11) Alabama National Guard Recruiting Lead Generation
Ribbon. The award is presented to members of the Alabama
National Guard who are not assigned or employed with the
Recruiting and Retention Unit in recognition of excellence in
recruiting as determined by the State Military Department.
(12) Basic Training Ribbon of Alabama. The award is
presented to members of the Alabama National Guard who have
successfully completed the Basic Training Course after the
year 1955.
(13) Certificate of Appreciation. The award is
presented for domestic and foreign military and civilian
persons whose acts of good public and community relations were
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persons whose acts of good public and community relations were
in the interest of and support the State Military Department.
(14) Certificate of Extension. The award is presented
to members of the Alabama National Guard for each extension of
three years or more after his or her initial term for faithful
and honorable service. "
Section 2. This act shall become effective on October
1, 2026.
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1, 2026.
________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Representatives
________________________________________________
President and Presiding Officer of the Senate
House of Representatives
I hereby certify that the within Act originated in and
was passed by the House 12-Feb-26.
John Treadwell
Clerk
Senate 08-Apr-26 Passed
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