The United States Department of the Army offers a variety of awards, decorations and incentive programs to honor and recognize the contribution and efforts of its civilian workforce. Department of the Army civilian awards are governed by Army Regulation 672–20 Decorations, Awards, and Honors Incentive Awards. There are three categories of recognition: monetary, honorary, and time-off.

Superior accomplishment awards

Valorous awards

The Secretary of the Army Award for Valor is awarded for acts of heroism or bravery connected with an Army employee or Army activity, or that in some way benefits the Army. Recipients will have distinguished themselves by exhibiting great courage or sacrifice involving heroism or bravery. The performance of the act must be a voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty. The act may be recognized if it is connected with an Army employee or Army activity, or if the Army in some way benefits from the act. Awards will be made only to recognize single acts of heroism or bravery. This award is not presented in recognition of activities or conflict with an armed enemy. The situation must have involved personal hazard or danger and the voluntary risk of life. Awards are not made solely for saving a life.

Honorary awards

Honorary awards are intended to be presented to Department of the Army civilian employees in recognition of noteworthy accomplishments. Honorary awards may be given to civilian employees at any time in their careers, including occasions such as retirement, reassignment, transfer, or separation, provided the individual’s accomplishments fully meet the criteria for the particular award.

Public service awards

Awards for public service may be awarded to persons or groups who are not employed by the Army. Presidential appointees and non-career senior Army officials are eligible for these awards. Army civilian employees who are eligible for Army honorary awards, military personnel, and Army contractors are ineligible. These awards are in hierarchical order from the highest to the lowest.