Two levels of approval and a timeline of 8 to 16 days: simplified award procedure for service members
By instruction of the President of Ukraine, the Ministry of Defence is introducing changes to simplify the process of nominating and presenting state awards to service members.
The new procedure will shorten timelines and make the award process more transparent and effective.
Key changes:
- two levels of approval instead of a long chain: the direct command of the military unit and the General Staff;
- clear timelines at each level – up to 2 days, total award period from 8 to 16 days;
- faster transfer of awards after the decision is made: from the General Staff – within 1 day, the command of the Armed Forces – up to 2 days to military units or to Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Centers (for posthumous awards);
- simplified structure of the award nomination list – with sections not affecting the decision-making process removed;
- during a special period, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will have the authority to submit proposals directly to the President.
From now on, the decision-making algorithm will follow this sequence: military unit; its superior command authority; General Staff; Office of the President.
Thus, commanders of military units (or institutions) will submit proposals for state awards of Ukraine and award nomination forms, using the template specified in the annex, through their chain of command.
The military command authorities directly overseeing units (or institutions) will process award documentation within two days, compile consolidated nominations, and send them along with the award forms to the General Staff.
The General Staff, within two days, will review and consolidate submissions, prepare a general nomination signed by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and send it with the award forms for consideration to the Office of the President of Ukraine.
Within one day of receiving state awards of Ukraine, the General Staff will organize their transfer to the commands of the branches and separate types of troops (forces).
The branch commands and separate types of troops (forces), within two days, will arrange the delivery of state awards of Ukraine to the military command authorities overseeing units (or institutions), directly to military units (or institutions), or to Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Centers at the place of record prior to service for service members receiving awards posthumously.