Nominations for this award reflect superior service, achievement or heroism of a higher degree than that recognized by the Meritorious Civilian Service Award. Employees who have shown excellent performance through the previous receipt of honorary or monetary performance awards, can be considered for this award. Eligibility is determined by measuring contributions against the following example levels of achievement:
- Accomplished assigned duties in a superior manner, leading team members to higher productivity, or completing a complex project more effectively and efficiently than required.
- Demonstrated a high level of initiative and skill in devising new and improved equipment, work methods, and procedures; inventions resulting in substantial savings in expenses such as manpower, time, space, and materials, or improved safety or health of the workforce.
- Exhibited courage or competence in an emergency, while performing assigned duties, resulting in direct benefit to the Government or its personnel. This award is comparable to the military Legion of Merit.
The medal of the award is a silver disc 1.5 in (38 mm) diameter with a laurel wreath around the circumference surrounding the Great Seal of the United States on the obverse. The reverse contains the inscription FOR DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY SUPERIOR CIVILIAN SERVICE--TO. The medal is suspended from a crimson ribbon 35 mm in width with two thin white stripes near the edge and a central stripe of white bisected by a stripe of ultramarine blue in the center.