Awards and decorations of the Texas Military are medals, ribbons, badges, tabs, trophies, plaques, certificates, memorials, monuments, holidays, and general honors that recognize service and achievement in the Texas Military Forces.
Regulation The Texas Military Department medal and ribbon awards are governed by the Texas Government Code (Chapter 437, Subchapter H) and Joint Force Texas Regulation (1-07). Because Texas Military Forces existence is authorized under Title 32 of the United States Code, wear and precedence of medals and ribbons on the service uniform and duty uniform is governed by the United States Department of the Army Pamphlet regulation 670-1.
Because Texas National Guard service members are also subject to Title 10 of the United States Code, they are also authorized to wear and eligible to earn awards, decorations, and badges of the United States National Guard and United States Armed Forces.
Texas State Guard service members who previously earned awards, decorations, and badges of the United States National Guard and United States Armed Forces are authorized to wear them.
Order of precedence Because Texas Military Forces existence is authorized under Title 32 of the United States Code, precedence of medals and ribbons on the service uniform and duty uniform is governed by the Department of Defense Instruction 1348.33 and United States Department of the Army Pamphlet regulation 670-1.
Like the United States Armed Forces, Texas Military medals and ribbons are distinctly categorized by general service and achievement awards, and distinguished service and achievement decorations, which is reflected in the order of precedence.
General order of precedence:
United States Armed Forces personal decorations United States Armed Forces unit awards United States Non-Military (personal) Decorations, to include certain Military Society Decorations and Medals, as outlined in DOD Instr. 1348.33 section 11 (c)(2019), and as defined by 10USC§ 1123, Right to Wear Badges of Military Societies, but only those to wit: 'a society originally composed of men who served in an armed force of the United States during the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Civil War, the Spanish–American War, the Philippine–American War, or the Chinese Relief Expedition of 1900' (e.g., Society of the Cincinnati, Military Order of Foreign Wars, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Army and Navy Union, Sons of the American Revolution), as well as US Government Agency personal decorations(e.g., DOD civilian medals, Homeland Security, NASA, etc.) (DODI1348.33Sec11c). United States civilian unit awards United States Armed Forces campaign and service medals United States Armed Forces service and training awards United States Merchant Marine awards and non-military service awards Foreign military personal decorations Foreign military unit awards International service awards Foreign military service awards United States Armed Forces marksmanship awards United States organization awards, and badges of military societies not included in/defined by 10USC1123 and/or formed after that statute, predominantly in the 20th century and later (after 1907) (e.g., American Legion). United States National Guard personal decorations United States National Guard unit awards United States National Guard campaign and service medals United States National Guard service and training awards Texas Military decorations Texas Military unit awards Texas Military campaign and service awards Texas Military service and training awards
Department level awards
Medals and ribbons Because Texas National Guard service members are also subject to Title 10 of the United States Code, they are also authorized to wear, and eligible to earn, medals and ribbons of the United States National Guard and United States Armed Forces. Texas State Guard service members who previously earned medals and ribbons of the United States National Guard and United States Armed Forces are authorized to wear them.
The following is a list of medals and ribbons from the Texas Military. They are distinctly categorized by distinguished service and achievement decorations, and general service and achievement awards, which is reflected by the order of precedence. It is generally stated that decorations are conferred and awards are issued. DecorationsTexas Medal of HonorTexas Medal of ValorTexas Purple HeartTexas Superior Service MedalTexas Distinguished Service MedalTexas Outstanding Service MedalTexas Medal of MeritTexas Adjutant General's Individual AwardTexas State Guard Exemplary Service MedalTexas State Guard Meritorious Service RibbonTexas State Guard Commendation MedalTexas State Guard Achievement MedalTexas State Guard Commanding General's Individual AwardTexas State Guard Good Conduct MedalTexas State Guard Recruiting RibbonDecoration AppurtenancesGold Oak Leaf DeviceSilver Oak Leaf DeviceEnameled Star DeviceBronze Oak Leaf DeviceBronze Valor DeviceSilver Acorn DeviceBronze Acorn DeviceCampaign and Service AwardsTexas Federal Service MedalTexas Afghanistan Campaign MedalTexas Iraqi Campaign MedalTexas Desert Shield/Desert Storm Campaign MedalTexas Humanitarian Service RibbonTexas Homeland Defense Service MedalTexas Border Security and Support Service RibbonTexas Combat Service RibbonTexas Cavalry Service MedalTexas Cold War MedalTexas Faithful Service MedalTexas State Guard Service MedalService and Training AwardsTexas State Guard Officer Professional Development RibbonTexas State Guard NCO Professional Development RibbonTexas State Guard Training RibbonTexas State Guard Physical Fitness Ribbon Unit AwardsTexas Governor's Unit CitationTexas Meritorious Unit AwardOrganizational Excellence AwardAward AppurtenancesSilver Star DeviceBronze Star DeviceBronze Cactus Leaf DeviceBronze Numerals
Badges Because Texas National Guard service members are also subject to Title 10 of the United States Code, they are also authorized to wear, and eligible to earn, Military badges of the United States. Texas State Guard service members who previously earned Military badges of the United States are authorized to wear them.
The following is a list of badges from the Texas Military: Special Skills Badges 3rd Class Diver Badge TMD-TXSG MOS 1374-20Dive Medic Badge TMD-TXSG MOS 1374-DMTI2nd Class Diver Badge TMD-TXSG MOS 1374-301st Class Diver Badge TMD-TXSG MOS 1374-40Master Diver Badge TMD-TXSG MOS 1374-50Dive Officer Badge TMD-TXSG MOS 1374-5VCrewman Boat Operator Badge
TMD-TXSG MOS 21-B-20Coxswain Boat Operator Badge
TMD-TXSG MOS 21-B-30Master Boat Operator Badge
TMD-TXSG MOS 21-B-40Basic Military Emergency Management Specialist BadgeExpert Medical BadgeEngineer Officer BadgeEngineer Specialist BadgeOperation Deployment Badge Flash
Identification Badges Texas Military Forces Joint Staff BadgeThe badge is an oval enameled metal device, 2 inches wide, 2-3/16 inches tall. The badge consists of cross sabers in gold with the inscription “TXMF” above the State of Texas Flag which is centered and “Joint Staff” below the Texas Flag surrounded by a silver wreath.Texas Army National Guard General Staff BadgeThe badge is a circular enameled metal device, 1-7/8 inches in diameter. The badge consists of the Joint Force Headquarters distinctive unit insignia superimposed on a five-pointed gold-edged black star, one point up, on a background of green, gold-trimmed laurel leaves.Texas State Guard General's Staff BadgeRecruiter Badge
Tabs Governor's Twenty TabHonor Guard TabMEMS Academy Tab
Certificates
The Texas Adjutant General's Certificate of Commendation Awarded for outstanding achievement or performance of duty when such action or duty is noteworthy. It may be presented to any service member of the Texas Military Forces, or to any employee (civilian or military) of the Texas Military Department. It may also be awarded to a unit/detachment of the Texas Military Forces for outstanding administrative or training achievement performance. The certificate will not be awarded for any acts or performance covered by another award, except that awards in conjunction with retirement may cover the entire period(s) of service in the Texas Military Forces or with the Texas Military Department, regardless of any other awards. The Texas Adjutant General's Certificate of Appreciation Awarded to any individual, organization, or entity (military or civilian), not a member or part of the Texas National Guard or Texas State Guard, for significant aid, assistance, or support to any part or all of the Texas Military Forces.
Hall of Honor
The Hall of Honor was established by the Texas Military Department in 1980 to "recognize outstanding service and leadership" of Texas Military Forces service members operating under state or federal command. As of 2018, it has 120 inductees.
It is hosted by the Texas Military Forces Museum at Camp Mabry. It is both an exhibit with a digital kiosk that showcases inductee biographies, and an eponymous conference center that may be rented for conventions or banquets. Inductees also receive a trophy, which has varied in type since 1980.
Hall of Fame
The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame was established in 1964 to recognize service members who "significantly contributed to the development of the service or died heroically in the line of duty." As of 2019, it has 31 inductees — 24 of which served under the Texas Military Department. The Texas Rangers were a branch of the Texas Military Forces from 1835 to 1935, providing cavalry, special operations, and military police capabilities. Administrative control (ADCON) of the Texas Rangers was transferred from the Texas Military Department to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) in 1935. Under DPS, the Texas Rangers perform duties similar to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for Texas as a State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).
Texas State Cemetery
The Texas State Cemetery was established by the Fifth Texas Legislature in 1854 as the burial site for General Edward Burleson in Austin. It is considered the "Arlington of Texas." It was extensively expanded after the American Civil War for the burial of 2,000 officers and their wives. It has expanded over the ensuing years for the burial of "prominent" Texans. It is operated by the Texas State Preservation Board but remains predominately occupied by Texas military service members.
Funeral Honors and Markers By request of a descendant or estate executor, the Texas Military Department provides any service member of the Texas Military Forces a military funeral and grave marker modeled on the ceremony and style provided to service members of the United States Armed Forces. Exact details are outlined in Texas Government Code 437.215. It was established via Texas Senate Bill 1536 sponsored by Senator Leticia Van de Putte on 01 September 2013.
Holidays
Texas Military Heroes Week Texas Military Heroes Week is an annual memorial holiday from February 5-11th that encourages "all Texans to recognize and honor those who have secured our freedom throughout the generations and those who are defending it still...During the first full week of February, we honor all who have sacrificed and served on behalf of the Lone Star State. No matter the battle, no matter the branch, no matter the job – they deserve our gratitude and reverence." It was established via Executive Proclamation by Commander-in-Chief Greg Abbott on , which replaces Texas Military Heroes Day (aka "Chris Kyle Day") established on .
Women Veterans Month Women Veterans Month was established by Greg Abbott on March 1, 2023. It dedicates the month of March to "celebrate the women who have served our nation and to rededicate ourselves to the timeless ideals for which they valiantly fought."
Special Forces Day