Arkansas State Awards Program
The National Guard Association of Arkansas Awards Program is modeled after the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) program and is designed to recognize individuals who have made significant efforts to help advance the mission of the Associations and the National Guard. Details for each state award are listed below.
State award recipients are recognized at the annual state conference and are then nominated for the national level counter-part award.
The suspense for 2025 award nominations is 17 January 2025.
Company Grade Officer of the Year (Army & Air): This award recognizes one (1) Air and one (1) Army CGO exemplifying leadership qualities above and beyond normal duties. While this is listed as an annual award, write-ups are not limited to a defined time period, except to ensure information does not go beyond the member’s time as an officer in the Armed Services. Significant contributions to the State and Nation in both a military and civilian capacity will be highly favored. (NGAUS Title for this award is “Theodore Roosevelt Leadership Award for Company Grade Officers”.)
Warrant Officer of the Year (Army ONLY): This award recognizes one (1) Army WO1 – WO3 exemplifying leadership qualities above and beyond normal duties. While this is listed as an annual award, write-ups are not limited to a defined time period, except to ensure information does not go beyond the member’s time as a Warrant Officer in the Armed Services. Significant contributions to the State and Nation in both a military and civilian capacity will be highly favored. (NGAUS Title for this award is “Eagle Rising Award for Warrant Officers”.)
The National Guard Association of Arkansas (NGAA) Member of the Year Award recognizes superior service to the association by a general member in good standing. A board member is eligible for nomination, but their support must extend beyond the duties expected of a representative on the board.
Nominations and selection are at the discretion of the Executive Board. The awardee will be announced at the annual state conference.
NGAUS Awards Program
The Harry S. Truman Award for Distinguished Service in Support of National Defense, authorized by the NGAUS Board of Directors in 1968, is the highest recognition conferred upon an individual by the Association.
The Montgomery Medal, first presented in 2004, provides a mechanism to recognize an individual (or organization) who provides outstanding support in the pursuit of the NGAUS objectives.
The Charles Dick Medal of Merit was established in 1988 and is designed to recognize the contributions to the National Guard by elected representatives to legislative bodies at the state and national levels.
The Patrick Henry Award is designed to provide recognition to local officials and civic leaders, who in a position of great responsibility distinguished themselves with outstanding and exceptional service to the Armed Forces of the United States, the National Guard or NGAUS.
The Distinguished Service Medal was conceived to provide recognition for an individual who, as member of the Armed Forces (Active, Guard or Reserve), performed exceptionally outstanding service to the United States, to the Armed Forces of the United States or to NGAUS.
This award was created based upon a perceived need for an additional award that would specifically recognize individuals for significant contributions to the United States Government, the Armed Forces of the United States or NGAUS.
Meritorious Service Certificate may be awarded at the state/local level in lieu of the Meritorious Service Award.
The Valley Forge Cross is presented to members of the National Guard who have distinguished themselves by performing acts of heroism that otherwise might not be recognized due to the National Guard’s peacetime status.
Valley Forge Certificate may be awarded at the state/local level in lieu of the Valley Forge Cross award.
The Garde Nationale Trophy recognizes significant achievement of members of the National Guard in their civilian endeavors.
This award was established to annually recognize the achievements and dedicated service of Army and Air National Guard junior officers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and professionalism in their services to country and community. Arkansas annual CGO of the Year awardees are nominated for this NGAUS award annually.
Each state or territory may submit no more than one ANG and one ARNG nomination each year.
This award was established to annually recognize the achievements and dedicated service of Army National Guard Warrant Officers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, technical skills, and professionalism in their services to country and community. Arkansas nominates the state Warrant Officer of the Year for this award.
Each state or territory may submit no more than one nomination each year.