What are the qualifications for a good conduct medal?

Question

How long must a person be in the Army to qualify for a good conduct medal?

Answer 1

You are awarded a Good Conduct Medal for every 3 years of consecutive service without getting into trouble.I was in the U.S. Army 10 years and was awarded this medal 3 times.

Answer 2

Good Conduct Medals

Answer 3

Jim H has given you the correct answer of three years without getting into trouble.

The second responder is incorrect, because what happens is a list is generated of soldiers that are becoming eligible for the good conduct medal within the next three months and unless there is a good reason, the soldier gets the good conduct medal. Squad Leaders, Platoon Sergeants and so on can prevent the medal from being awarded, but they do not have recommend you for it.

Answer 4

From the "Institute of Heraldry"

3. Criteria: a. The Good Conduct Medal is awarded for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity in active Federal Military service. It is awarded on a selective basis to each soldier who distinguishes himself/herself from among his/her fellow soldiers by their exemplary conduct, efficiency, and fidelity throughout a specified period of continuous enlisted active Federal military service.

Qualifying periods of service include each three years completed after 27 August 1940 or, for first award only, upon completion of at least one year upon termination of service if separated prior to three years. Also for the first award only, for those individuals who died before completing one year of active Federal military service if the death occurred in the line of duty.

The immediate commander must approve the award and the award must be announced in permanent orders.

b. Effective 1 September 1982, Active Guard Reserve personnel became eligible for award of the Good Conduct Medal. For Active Guard Reserve personnel, the Good Conduct Medal qualification period may commence at a time during the three years immediately preceding the 1 September 1982 effective date, provided no portion of service for the Good Conduct Medal is included in a period of service for which the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal was awarded.


You can also find it online by searching for AR 600-8-22

Answer 5

was in the army from feb.1, 1951 to oct. 31, 1952 and in korea 1 year. good conduct was not listed on
dd214. does the 3 year still apply to this time in service?

Answer 6

3 years of good service. Hence, Good Conduct. You get it every 3 years but you have to have either your squad leader or platoon sergeant submit the request to battalion. It's not automatic. Good luck!

Answer 7

The U.S. Navy requires four (4) years of service without having a Non-Judicial Punishment or Court Martial on your record.