The name of the decoration was changed from the Commander's Award for Public Service in November 2014 to make the nomenclature more consistent with the equivalent award for military service—the Army Commendation Medal.

[3] This award may be approved by any commander (colonel and above), commanders exercising courts-martial authority, principal officials of Headquarters, Department of the Army staff agencies, and officials of general officer or Senior Executive Service rank.

Displayed on the triangle is the coat of arms of the United States, symbolizing service to the federal government.

The reverse of the medal bears the inscription FOR COMMENDABLE PUBLIC SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES ARMY.

[2] This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army.