National Security Medal

2015-10-07Executive Order 13709
Signed by: Barack Obama
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Headline: Updates Rules for Awarding the National Security Medal

What it does: Departments and agencies must, when appropriate, concur with recommendations and provide complete documentation for National Security Medal nominations.

Real World Impact:
  • Makes non-U.S. citizens eligible for the National Security Medal.
  • Allows eyewitnesses or those with personal knowledge to submit nominations.
  • Requires agencies to concur and provide documentation for nominees.
Topics: national security, awards and honors, government procedures, intelligence processing

Summary

This executive order changes who can receive the National Security Medal and how candidates are nominated. It says the medal may be awarded to any person, regardless of nationality, for distinguished achievement or outstanding contribution in national security dating back to July 26, 1947.

It also creates a nomination process where any individual with personal knowledge or eyewitness testimony can recommend a candidate to the National Security Council, requires employing departments or agencies to concur and provide documentation when appropriate, and assigns the intelligence office to prepare the medal after Presidential approval.

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