US Army, Navy, and Air Force Award Forms
DA Form 638 – Recommendation for Award (Simplified RPG Template)
PART I – SOLDIER DATA
TO (Final Approval Authority / Higher HQ):
(e.g., Commanding General, Division HQ)
FROM (Recommender’s Unit/Office):
DATE (YYYYMMDD):
NAME (Last, First, Middle Initial):
RANK:
SSN/Service Number: (or omit for game privacy)
ORGANIZATION/UNIT:
PREVIOUS AWARDS (List individual decorations only; exclude service medals/campaigns):
BRANCH OF SERVICE (USA for Army; leave blank for Army-only): USA
RECOMMENDED AWARD (e.g., Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device, Army Commendation Medal):
(Include OLC if multiple: e.g., ARCOM-1 OLC)
PERIOD OF AWARD
a. FROM (YYYYMMDD):
b. TO (YYYYMMDD):
REASON FOR AWARD (Check one):
[ ] Valor/Heroism
[ ] Meritorious Service/Achievement
[ ] Other:
12b. INTERIM AWARD: [ ] Yes [ ] No (If yes, state award given: )
12c. POSTHUMOUS: [ ] Yes [ ] No
PROPOSED PRESENTATION DATE (YYYYMMDD):
PART II – RECOMMENDER DATA
14. NAME (Last, First, Middle Initial):
ADDRESS/UNIT:
TITLE/POSITION:
RANK:
RELATIONSHIP TO AWARDEE (e.g., Platoon Leader, Company Commander):
SIGNATURE/DATE: /
PART III – JUSTIFICATION AND CITATION DATA
20. ACHIEVEMENTS (Use specific bullet examples of acts/service; for lower awards like ARCOM/AAM, limit to bullets here; for higher like BSM+, attach separate narrative):
Achievement #1:
Achievement #2:
Achievement #3:
Achievement #4: (add lines as needed)
PROPOSED CITATION (Short summary; limit to 6 lines for MSM/ARCOM/AAM; 9 lines for BSM; attach full narrative for higher awards):
CHAIN OF COMMAND ENDORSEMENTS (Simulate delays/downgrades here)
22. STAFF SECTION VERIFICATION (Admin Clerk sign/date eligibility): /
23–25. INTERMEDIATE APPROVALS (Blocks for Battalion/Brigade/Division endorsements; include name, rank, position, concur/non-concur, signature/date):
Level 1 (e.g., Battalion CO): /
Level 2 (e.g., Brigade CO): /
Level 3 (Higher HQ): /
Notes for RPG Use:
Attachments Required (for Valor/Heroism): Eyewitness statements (1+ from survivors/observers), after-action report excerpts, or mission logs. Without them, AM may reject or downgrade.
Process Flow: Player submits → AM rolls/simulates chain review (e.g., 1d6 months delay) → possible downgrade (e.g., BSM-V → ARCOM-V) or disapproval if weak justification/no witnesses.
Vietnam Flavor: Use period-appropriate language (e.g., “engaged hostile forces,” “exposed to enemy fire”). For high-casualty scenarios, note witness loss risks.
OPNAV 1650/3 – Personal Award Recommendation (Simplified RPG Template)
ENSURE ALL BLOCKS ARE FILLED IN, SIGNED AND DATED. COMPLETE MAILING ADDRESSES ARE REQUIRED.
1. FROM (Recommender/Originator):
Command/Unit:
Address/UIC/RUC:
1a. UIC/RUC:
2. TO (Awarding Authority/Higher HQ):
Command/Unit:
Address/UIC/RUC:
2a. UIC/RUC:
3. COMMAND POC (Point of Contact):
Name:
Phone/DSN:
4. PHONE: (COM/DSN)
5. EXP DATE OF ACTIVE DUTY (DD-MMM-YYYY):
5a. IF RETIREMENT/SEPARATION, NUMBER OF YEARS:
6. SSN/SERVICE NUMBER:
7. DESIG/NEC/MOS/RATING:
8. DETACHMENT OR CEREMONY DATE (EARLIER DATE):
9. NAME (LAST, FIRST, MIDDLE, SUFFIX):
10. RETIREMENT / TRANSFER / SEPARATION / SPECIFIC ACHIEVEMENT: [Check one]
11. COMPONENT: USN / USMC / Other:
12. NEW DUTY STATION ADDRESS (Home address if separation/retirement):
13. PAYGRADE AND RATING/RANK: (e.g., E-5 HM2, O-3 LT)
14. WARFARE QUALIFICATION: (e.g., FMF, SS, SW)
15. UNIT AT TIME OF ACTION/SERVICE:
16. DUTY ASSIGNMENT:
17. UIC/RUC:
18. CAMPAIGN / OPERATION: (e.g., Vietnam Service, Tet Counteroffensive)
18a. OPERATION (if specific):
19. PREVIOUS PERSONAL DECORATIONS AND PERIOD RECOGNIZED (exclude Combat Action Ribbon):
20. RECOMMENDED AWARD: (e.g., Bronze Star Medal with “V”, Navy Commendation Medal)
21. HEROIC / MERITORIOUS / POSTHUMOUS / MIA / TORIOUS / EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM: [Check applicable]
22. PERSONAL AWARDS RECOMMENDED-NOT YET APPROVED:
23. RECOMMENDED AWARD NUMBER (e.g., 1,2,3 for multiples):
24. OTHER PERSONNEL BEING RECOMMENDED FOR SAME ACTION: (None or list)
25. ACTION DATE / MERITORIOUS PERIOD: FROM TO
26. (FOR O-6 AND ABOVE) RANK AND NAME OF PREDECESSOR:
27. GEOGRAPHIC AREA OF ACTION/SERVICE: (e.g., Republic of Vietnam, Mekong Delta)
28. IF FOREIGN NATIONAL, INDICATE FOREIGN SERVICE AND COUNTRY:
29. SUMMARY OF ACTION (Narrative justification; attach separate page if needed for higher awards; bullets or paragraphs detailing acts/service):
(Add lines/pages as needed; for valor, emphasize exposure to enemy fire and impact)
30. PROPOSED CITATION (Short summary; attach full double-spaced citation for higher awards):
31. I CERTIFY THAT THE FACTS CONTAINED IN THE SUMMARY OF ACTION ARE KNOWN TO ME OR ARE A MATTER OF RECORD
30a. NAME, RANK/GRADE, COMPONENT, TITLE OF ORIGINATOR:
30b. SIGNATURE:
30c. DATE:
FORWARDING ENDORSEMENTS / CHAIN OF COMMAND (Simulate via addressees; include phone if possible):
VIA COMMAND:
RECOMMENDED AWARD / COMBAT “V”: YES / NO
SIGNATURE, GRADE, DATE: /
32. TO BE COMPLETED BY AWARDING AUTHORITY
DISPOSITION OF BASIC RECOMMENDATION:
COMBAT “V” / EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM RECOMMENDED: YES / NO
FINAL APPROVAL / DOWNGRADE / DISAPPROVAL:
Notes for RPG Use:
Attachments Required (for Valor/Heroism): Eyewitness statements (mandatory for “V” device or higher), after-action reports, or mission logs. Without them, AM may reject/downgrade.
Process Flow: Player submits → AM simulates Navy/MC chain (e.g., squadron/division → higher command review, 1d6+ months delay possible) → stars for multiples (gold=1 additional, silver=5).
Vietnam Flavor: Use era codes (e.g., NX=Navy Cross, BS=Bronze Star, BV=BS with “V”). For riverine/Marine ground awards, emphasize “summary of action” narrative.
Sources: Based on Rev 3-76/Rev 1-94 era examples (common in Vietnam); modern fillable PDFs available via Navy sites (e.g., forms.documentservices.dla.mil) for reference.