# "C" device

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United States military award device

Award

"C" Device Bronze "C" device Type Ribbon device Awarded for Meritorious service or achievement in a combat environment. Presented by United States Armed Forces Status Currently awarded Established March 15, 2017 (2017-03-15) Precedence Next (higher) "V" device Next (lower) "R" device

The **"C" Device**, or **"Combat Device"**, is a miniature bronze C that may be placed on certain individual awards of the [United States Armed Forces](/source/United_States_Armed_Forces) to denote meritorious service or achievement while in combat. Being established on March 15, 2017, the "C" device is one of the newer [military devices](/source/United_States_military_award_devices).[1]

## Criteria

In order to receive the "C" device, a soldier must have done at least one of the following:

1. Engaged in action against an enemy of the United States;

1. Engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or

1. Served with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.[2]

The awarding of this device is retroactive to 7 January 2016.[2][1]

## Appearance

The appearance of the "C" device varies when an individual receives it multiple times (per award):

"C" Combat Devices[3] Bronze C Silver C Gold C Bronze C with Wreath Silver C with Wreath Gold C with Wreath 1st Award 2nd Award 3rd Award 4th Award 5th Award 6th Award

## Authorized awards

General [Paul E. Funk II](/source/Paul_E._Funk_II) in 2019 wearing a [Distinguished Service](/source/Distinguished_Service_Medal) ribbon (top row) with "C" device.

The awards authorized to receive the device are, in order of precedence, as follows:[4][5]

1. [Distinguished Service Medal](/source/Distinguished_Service_Medal) (Defense, Air & Space, Army and Navy & Marine Corps)

1. [Defense Superior Service Medal](/source/Defense_Superior_Service_Medal)

1. [Legion of Merit](/source/Legion_of_Merit)

1. [Distinguished Flying Cross](/source/Distinguished_Flying_Cross_(United_States))

1. [Air Medal](/source/Air_Medal)

1. [Commendation Medal](/source/Commendation_Medal) (Joint, Army, Navy & Marine Corps, Air & Space and Coast Guard)

1. [Achievement Medal](/source/Achievement_Medal) (Joint, Army, Navy & Marine Corps, Air & Space and Coast Guard)

### Gallery

## See also

- [United States military award devices](/source/United_States_military_award_devices)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-auto1_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-auto1_1-1) ["C and R Devices"](https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/C%20and%20R%20devices). U.S. Army Human Resources Command. 8 November 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-auto_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-auto_2-1) ["Implementation of Department of Defense Guidance for the Newly Established 'C' and 'R' Devices"](https://snagfilms-a.akamaihd.net/a7/d3/aadc667d406180218895d103e505/milper-message-17-095.pdf). akamaihd.net.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["AF releases criteria for new valor "V", combat "C" and remote "R" devices"](http://web.archive.org/web/20250804184450/https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1226132/af-releases-criteria-for-new-valor-v-combat-c-and-remote-r-devices/). *Air Force*. Archived from [the original](https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1226132/af-releases-criteria-for-new-valor-v-combat-c-and-remote-r-devices/) on 4 August 2025. Retrieved 18 December 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Panzino, Charlsy (9 April 2017). ["Soldiers may be eligible for the new 'C' or 'R' devices on 12 awards. Here's how to apply"](https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2017/04/09/soldiers-may-be-eligible-for-the-new-c-or-r-devices-on-12-awards-here-s-how-to-apply/). *Army Times*. Retrieved 7 July 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Defense Superior Service Medal"](http://web.archive.org/web/20251111143524/https://www.afpc.af.mil/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/421881/defense-superior-service-medal/). *Air Force's Personnel Center*. Archived from [the original](https://www.afpc.af.mil/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/421881/defense-superior-service-medal/) on 11 November 2025. Retrieved 2 January 2026.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article ["C" device](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%22C%22_device) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%22C%22_device?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.