MADAM PRESIDENT:
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security, Transportation and Veterans Affairs, to which was
referred House Bill No. 1387, has had the same under consideration and begs leave to report the same
back to the Senate with the recommendation that said bill be AMENDED as follows:
unusually distinguished or meritorious service, that:
(A) to a marked degree is reflected in the increased efficiency
of the militia; or
(B) brings exceptional and great honor or credit to the Indiana
armed forces and commands the attention and respect of the
citizens of Indiana and of the military establishment
throughout the United States.
(3) Long Service Medals shall be awarded to officers and enlisted
persons for honest and faithful service in the federally recognized
Indiana national guard for periods of:
(A) ten (10) years;
(B) fifteen (15) years;
(C) twenty (20) years;
(D) twenty-five (25) years; and
(E) for longer periods.
A symbol shall be worn on the ribbon of each medal, one (1) for
each year in addition to the period for which the medal was
issued, until the officer or enlisted person is entitled to a medal
for the next period for which a different long service medal is
issued.
(4) An Indiana national guard commendation medal shall be
awarded to any commissioned officer or enlisted person of the
militia and other officers, enlisted persons, and civilians, who
have distinguished themselves by meritorious achievement or
meritorious service. The required meritorious achievement or
meritorious service while of lesser degree than that required for
the award of the Indiana distinguished service medal must have
been accomplished with distinction. The award may be made for
acts of outstanding courage that do not meet the requirements for
award of the Indiana distinguished service medal. It is particularly
desirable that emphasis be placed on the award of this decoration
to outstanding company grade officers, warrant officers, and
enlisted personnel whose achievements and service meet the
prescribed standards.
(5) An Indiana Emergency Service Ribbon shall be awarded to all
currently assigned officers, warrant officers, and enlisted
members of the Indiana national guard who have served on state
active duty during a state emergency. For purposes of this
subdivision, "state emergency" means any emergency for any
period declared by the governor or the adjutant general. The
Indiana emergency service ribbon shall be awarded to denote
honorable state active military duty by members of the Indiana
army and air national guard during state emergencies.
(6) Other medals for any war or campaign or mobilization for
which a medal has not been awarded by the federal government
may be:
(A) established by executive order of the governor; and
(B) awarded to members of any federally recognized military
force of the state who participated in the military force.
(7) An Air National Guard First Sergeant Ribbon is authorized for
a currently assigned member who serves or has previously served
as a first sergeant in the Indiana Air National Guard, if the
member meets the criteria set forth in clause (A). A request for an
award, including a retroactive award, must be submitted in the
manner set forth in clause (B), and meet any other criteria
established by the adjutant general. The ribbon shall consist of a
plain blue field with a silver diamond device in the center, and no
medal shall accompany the award of the ribbon. The ribbon shall
be awarded as follows:
(A) In recognition of meritorious service by a member of the
Indiana Air National Guard who has served in the first
sergeant career field, Special Duty Identifier 8F000, and who
meets the following criteria:
(i) Has been assigned to a valid first sergeant position for at
least three (3) years.
(ii) Graduated from either the United States Air Force
Academy or the Army National Guard First Sergeant
Academy.
(B) The individual unit commander of a member of the
Indiana Air National Guard who meets the criteria set forth in
clause (A) shall submit a letter to the wing commander,
recommending the member for the award based upon the
member's contributions, conduct, and demonstrated leadership
as a first sergeant. If the wing commander approves, the wing
commander shall forward the letter of recommendation to the
military personnel flight commanding officer for action. If the
wing commander disapproves, the wing commander shall
return the letter of recommendation to the unit commander.
(C) The adjutant general shall establish procedures for the
award presentation ceremony following accepted practice and
miliary tradition.
(8) An Indiana Funeral Honors Ribbon shall be awarded to all
members of the Indiana Air National Guard, the Indiana
Army National Guard, retired members of the Indiana Air
National Guard and Indiana Army National Guard, and
members of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign
Wars organizations who have been trained and certified by
the United States Department of Defense as Department of
Defense Funeral Honors participants. The Indiana Funeral
Honors Ribbon shall be awarded to denote honorable and
distinguished service in the performance of military funerals
and similar activities within Indiana.
For the purposes of this article, officers and enlisted persons of the
regular army assigned to the armed forces of Indiana as instructors and
assistant instructors shall be considered as officers and enlisted persons
of the Indiana armed forces.".
and when so amended that said bill do pass .
Committee Vote: Yeas 7, Nays 0.