S.Amdt. 5401

1. Adds SEC. 587. EQUITY IN THE AWARD OF MILITARY DECORATIONS AND CITATIONS FOR SERVICE IN THE ARMED FORCES SINCE MARCH 20, 2003 at the end of subtitle G of title V

   Adds a section

   In S. 3001 · Placed on Calendar Senate

   "(2) No officer or employee of the Department of Defense may interfere with the ability of the Legal Counsel to give independent legal advice to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.".

   Inserted: SEC. 587. EQUITY IN THE AWARD OF MILITARY DECORATIONS AND CITATIONS FOR SERVICE IN THE ARMED FORCES SINCE MARCH 20, 2003.

   Inserted: (a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense shall take appropriate actions to ensure that each member and unit of the Armed Forces (including members and units of the National Guard and Reserve) that has served in the Armed Forces since March 20, 2003, is awarded each decoration, medal, citation, commendation, or other military award to which such member or unit is entitled by reason of service in the Armed Forces since that date.

   Inserted: (b) Audit of Awards.--In furtherance of meeting the requirement in subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide for a comprehensive audit of the decorations, medals, citations, commendations, and other military awards awarded for service in the Armed Forces since March 20, 2003, in order to determine whether any decorations, medals, citations, commendations, or other awards to be awarded as described in that subsection have yet to be awarded.

   Inserted: (c) Procedures for Expedited Review of Certain Awards.--

   Inserted: (1) In general.--Each Secretary of a military department shall establish procedures to provide for the expedited review by general officers or flag officers, as applicable, of recommendations for the award by such military department of decorations medals, badges, or other military awards for service in combat or under hostile fire that require the approval of a general or flag officer.

   Inserted: (2) Consultation.--The Secretary of the Army and the Secretary of the Air Force shall each consult with the adjutants general of the States under the jurisdiction of such Secretary in establishing procedures under paragraph (1).

   Inserted: (d) Report on Progress in Award.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a reports on the progress made in the award of decorations, medals, citations, commendations, and other military awards as described in that subsection.

   Original wording

   At the end of subtitle G of title V, add the following:

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As printed