CHAPTER 5

UNIT COMPETITIONS

SECTION 1

BATTLE EFFICIENCY AND COMMAND EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Ref: (a) OPNAVINST 3590.4G (Awards for Intra-Type Battle Efficiency Competition)

(b) CINCLANTFLTINST 3590.11F/CINCPACFLTINST 3590.4G (Battle Efficiency Competition,

Trophies and Awards)

(c) OPNAVINST C3501.2J (Naval Warfare Mission Areas and Required Operational Capability/Projected

Operational Environment (ROC/POE) Statements)

(d) OPNAVINST 4790.4C (Material Management Manual)

(e) NAVSEA S9086-VD-STM-010/CH631 (Preservation of Ships in Service)

(f) NTP-13 (Flags, Pennants and Customs)

5101. Introduction. The Battle Efficiency Award recognizes sustained superior performance in an operational environment. Eligibility for this award demands day-to-day demonstrated excellence in addition to superior achievement during certifications and qualifications conducted throughout the competitive period. Qualification for the Battle Efficiency Award is governed by the general rules in references (a) and (b) for intra-type competition. The ISIC has the responsibility and authority to select the Battle "E" winner(s) from among the ships in a squadron or group. The ISIC may recommend waivers of the specific requirements listed in paragraph 5102, including justification for those waivers in the selection package to the Type Commander. Since the Battle Efficiency Award is a competitive award which recognizes the best ship in an organization, waiver requests should be limited to very unusual circumstances.

5102. Minimum Qualifications for Battle Efficiency Award. The ISIC shall use demonstrated sustained superior performance as the primary consideration in selecting a ship for the Battle Efficiency Award. Significant emphasis shall be given to operational proficiency in determining which ship(s) an ISIC selects as the Battle "E" winner. The ship that consistently performs well across the board will typically be competitive for the award of the Battle "E". With this in mind, ISICs should consider the entire range of a ship’s operations, both inport and underway, in selecting a Battle "E" winner. In addition to unit performance in basic phase certifications, ISICs shall consider a ship’s performance during the intermediate/advanced training phase and while on deployment as a major factor in selecting the Battle "E" winner, and will consider operational commander assessments in making a decision. The ISIC shall take into consideration the guidelines listed below.

a. Be a commissioned ship or a MCM rotational crew which has been assigned to a commissioned ship for 50% or more of the award cycle. Newly commissioned ships will not be able to compete for the Battle Efficiency Award or Command Excellence Awards until they have completed all predeployment certifications and inspections.

b. Command Excellence Awards will be a factor in the ISIC's decision, but will not limit the ISIC’s latitude to award the Battle "E" to a ship which has won three of the four Command Excellence awards, if the ISIC determines that ship to be the best in the squadron/group.

c. The ISIC's selection will consider the ship's performance in required assessments, certifications, and qualifications. Additionally, performance during work-ups and on deployment is to be considered as well as the command leadership and management policies, programs, and procedures that have produced an integrated team effort to achieve command goals.

d. The ISIC shall take into consideration a ship's employment during the competitive cycle. A ship's failure to demonstrate the ability and readiness to perform effectively its primary missions in an operational environment shall be disqualifying for that cycle.

e. Maintain a continued high state of operational readiness.

f. Failure or poor performance in a major qualification or tactical certification will be disqualifying for both the Battle Efficiency Award and for associated Command Excellence Awards. An unsatisfactory certification or qualification which requires re-certification or re-qualification will be disqualifying for that competitive cycle only. Once a ship is re-certified or re-qualified, the ship becomes eligible for the subsequent competitive cycle. In the case of a ship which fails to meet minimum standards in a particular command excellence award during the competitive cycle, that ship may, in order to avoid "double jeopardy" in a subsequent cycle due to there being no need for another certification or assessment, request reassessment of the problem area by competent authority during the subsequent cycle. ISICs will take such reassessments into consideration.

g. Maintain currency in all qualifications and certifications.

h. Have demonstrated a high level of safety awareness in all phases of shipboard operations. As such, the ship's safety record is an important consideration in each category as appropriate. Class A mishaps caused by the ship’s negligence will normally be disqualifying for the Battle "E" and associated Command Excellence Awards. Accidents or safety incidents of a less serious nature will be evaluated on a case by case basis by the ISIC and may result in disqualification for one or more awards.

5103. Command Excellence Awards. All eligible ships meeting the required standards may be selected for the applicable command excellence award. Awards will be based on sustained superior operational excellence. The judgment of the ISIC in evaluating a unit's performance in each award area is an important factor in determining selection. ISICs should consider the quality and intensity of ships' operations and material readiness in selecting awardees. In particular, the crews' ingenuity in creating opportunities to exercise ships' capabilities, as well as efficient and effective conduct of operations, are key. Performance in primary mission areas during intermediate/advance training and while deployed will be carefully considered as well. The ISIC may recommend waivers of the specific requirements listed in paragraph 5104 through 5107, including justification for those waivers in the selection package to the Type Commander; however, as in the case of the Battle Efficiency Award, waiver requests should only be requested in unusual circumstances. Newly commissioned ships will not be able to compete for a Command Excellence Award until they have completed all predeployment certifications and inspections related to that award. Command excellence award categories are as follows:

a. Maritime Warfare (Power Projection/Sea Control)

b. Engineering/Survivability

c. Command and Control

d. Logistics Management

5104. Maritime Warfare (Power Projection/Sea Control) Excellence Award

a. The objective of the Maritime Warfare Excellence Award is to recognize sustained superior performance and readiness to conduct a ship's prescribed primary military missions as defined in reference (c).

b. Failure to obtain/maintain the following minimum criteria will preclude a ship from consideration for this award:

(1) Live Weapon Firing Exercises.

(a) Any weapons firing failure not related to ordnance (missile, torpedo, etc.) or target failure will disqualify a unit for this award.

(b) Modifications to required exercise target profiles, target characteristics, numbers of rounds expended, engagement envelopes or type ordnance expended are not authorized except as approved by TYCOM. Failure to obtain prior TYCOM authorization for an exercise modification may result in award disqualification.

(c) Missile and torpedo live firings shall be conducted so as to maintain exercise currency at M-2 level or above. Circumstances may arise, however, whereby a ship's position in the IDTC suggests that the next logical live firing training event should be scheduled after the end of the competitive period. In such situation, falling below the M-2 level in exercise currency shall not be considered disqualifying if the ISIC assesses that the ship has otherwise satisfied all criteria and demonstrates sustained excellence in the mission area in question. This will preclude accelerated live firings for the sole purpose of Battle Efficiency competition and the associated costs/schedule perturbations.

(d) Ships with a TYCOM directed reduced training package will not be penalized in award competition because the full range of normally required exercises, including live fire events, has not been included.

(2) The Cruise Missile Tactical Qualification must remain current for the ship’s position in the interdeployment training cycle.

3) NSFS qualification must remain current for the ship’s position in the interdeployment training cycle and must be completed with an average numerical grade of 95% or above.

(4) Aviation Certification and Aviation Readiness Evaluation must be current for the ship’s position in the interdeployment cycle.

(5) If the Final Evaluation Period (FEP) is conducted during the cycle, it must be satisfactorily completed, i e., the ship is evaluated by the ISIC as ready to proceed to intermediate /advanced phase operations.

(6) For LHA, LHD, and LPH ships, AIMD performance during 3M evaluations must be satisfactory and the ship must demonstrate the capability to effectively support the airwing when embarked.

(7) Combat Logistics Force ships must have satisfactorily completed the last scheduled UNREP Ship Qualification Trial (SQTs).

(8) An inadvertent/accidental weapons firing, a preventable ordnance handling accident, or a reportable mishap will normally disqualify ships from award consideration.

5105. Engineering/Survivability Excellence Award

a. The objective of the Engineering/Survivability Excellence Award is to recognize sustained superior performance in shipboard evolutions relating to main propulsion and damage control. Engineering performance while deployed or during conduct of major exercises/operations shall be a significant factor in this award.

b. Failure to obtain/maintain the following minimum criteria will preclude a ship from consideration for this award:

(1) Engineering Certification must be completed in accordance with criteria outlined in CINCLANTFLT/CINCPACFLTINST 3540.2.

(2) In addition, no more than one safety program (Electrical Safety, Tag Out, Hearing Conservation or Heat Stress) may be assessed as "not effective" in LOA, by end of TSTA 2 or in MCA.

(3) For nuclear powered units:

(a) ORSE: Overall grade of average or above; no significantly below average or unsatisfactory sub-area (material, level of knowledge, administrative, operations, chemistry, and radiological controls) during any exam conducted.

(b) PORSE/RSE: Overall grade of average or above; no significantly below average or unsatisfactory sub-area (material, level of knowledge, administration, chemistry, and radiological controls) during any exam conducted.

(4) Satisfactory performance must be demonstrated in the total ship survivability exercise or major conflagration exercise conducted during the basic phase certifications.

(5) Material self-assessment and self-sufficiency, including contributions to BFIMA/ARGIMA, will be taken into account.

5106. Command and Control Excellence Award

a. The objective of the Command and Control Excellence Award is to recognize sustained superior performance in shipboard operations relating to matters of command, control and communications, intelligence, electronic warfare, cryptologic employment as applicable, navigation, and seamanship. The ability to communicate effectively in an operational environment is important, and should receive significant consideration by the ISIC. Command and Control performance during intermediate/ advanced training and while deployed will be carefully considered as well.

b. Failure to obtain/maintain the following minimum criteria will preclude a ship from consideration for this award:

(1) CMS Inspection must be graded "Satisfactory".

(2) No loss of CMS material, loss of CMS accountability or CMS/COMSEC incident which is determined to result in a compromise or compromise cannot be ruled out.

(3) Satisfactory completion of the Communications Readiness Certification (CRC) is required every two years based on the Inter-Deployment Training Cycle (IDTC). A ship may be declared "in periodicity" if the CRC was successfully completed the previous year. If desired, a ship may conduct another CRC or Comprehensive Communications Assessment (CCC-19-SF) during the follow on battle "E" cycle. A minimum score of 85% s required on the CCC-19-SF to maintain eligibility for the award.

(4) Any security violation evaluated by the ISIC to be serious in nature shall result in disqualification.

(5) No grounding or collision attributable to deficiencies in the ship's performance.

5107. Logistics Management Excellence Award

a. The objective of the Logistics Management Excellence Award is to recognize excellence in management of material, financial, and personnel resources.

b. Failure to obtain/maintain the following minimum criteria will preclude a ship from consideration for this award:

(1) The overall Logistics Management Assessment (LMA) grade must be "Satisfactory".

(2) The supply portion of the LMA must be graded "Good" or above in all mission areas (General Stores, Food Service, and Retail Operations).

(3) The ISIC must certify that the ship’s 3M program conforms to standards as set forth in reference (d).

(4) If a surprise disbursing audit is conducted during the cycle, the audit must be graded Satisfactory" with no reportable loss of accountability.

(5) No unsatisfactory areas during ISIC's Command Inspection of CNO Special Interest Items.

(6) Eligibility for the Logistics Excellence Award may be revoked in the event of a loss in accountability during a competitive cycle. A loss of accountability may be defined as a disproportionate loss or gain in the Ship’s Store Operation, excessive over issue in the Food Service Operation, or any loss of funds or inventory attributable to poor management practices or failure to follow established procedures.

c. Logistics performance during intermediate/advanced training and while deployed will be carefully considered as well. Where appropriate, operational performance in such areas as MATCONOFF, BFIMA/ARGIMA, and Progressive Repair shall be considered.

5108. Period of Competition

a. The Battle Efficiency and command excellence awards are based on a 12 month cycle.

b. If a ship has been unable to operate for six or more consecutive months due to a major maintenance availability or if the ship has had no opportunity to demonstrate its ability and readiness to perform effectively its primary missions in an operational environment, the ship may request exemption from the ISIC for the Battle Efficiency Award or for one or more command excellence awards for that cycle. If that ship subsequently wins the Battle "E" or a command excellence award in the cycle immediately following exemption, consecutive award stripes earned before the exempt cycle will be retained. However, after the announcement of awards is made for a cycle in which the ship did not compete, she will not display previously earned awards in the categories for which she was exempt until and unless she earns those awards during the next competitive period.

5109. Nomination Procedure

a. Annually, 30 to 60 days before the end of the competitive cycle, TYCOM will solicit award packages from Squadron and Group Commanders. The solicitation message will contain the number of Battle "E" awards that ISICs are authorized to award. Normally, this is one per organization; however, where the number of ships in a particular squadron or group is larger than the norm, additional awards may be authorized in order to make the competition throughout the Force more equitable

b. ISIC selection letters shall be received by the TYCOM no later than 31 days after the end of the cycle. Battle Efficiency and command excellence awards letter format will be in accordance with Figure 5-1.

c. Upon receipt of all selection letters and evaluation of waiver requests, the TYCOM will promulgate a message announcing the winners. The TYCOM retains ultimate awarding authority.

5110. Display of Awards

a. Period of Display. Battle "E" Awards are to be displayed from the time of announcement of the award until announcement of the next cycle's awards.

b. Battle Efficiency Plaques. The Battle "E" Award plaques are for permanent retention. These are to be displayed on board each winning unit in a highly visible area.

c. Display of Awards. Awards shall be displayed in accordance with Article 631-9.14 of reference (e) and Figure 5-2. The order of display of awards from forward to aft will be Battle "E", Maritime Warfare "E", Engineering/Survivability "E", Command and Control "E", and Logistics Management "E". FFG-7 class ships will display Command Excellence awards below the Battle "E" in recognition of the limited space available.

d. Display of Awards by MCM Rotational Crews. MCM rotational crews shall display those awards the crew has earned on the MCM hull in which they are currently embarked. When the "E" crew leaves, awards are painted over.

AWARD METHOD OF DISPLAY

BATTLE "E" AWARD Center of bridge bulwark, forward, port and starboard or in

White formula 6 and black formula 48 general vicinity of painted campaign ribbons. (For FFG 7 class:

Immediately below the sidelights.)

AWARD BLACK "E"

Black formula 48 Port and starboard side of bridge bulwark aft of the Battle "E".

EXCELLENCE AWARD RED "E"

Red formula 40 Port and starboard side of bridge bulwark aft of the Battle "E".

AWARD GREEN "E"

Green formula 39 Port and starboard side of bridge bulwark aft of the Battle "E".

EXCELLENCE AWARD BLUE "E"

Blue formula 43 Port and starboard side of bridge bulwark aft of the Battle "E".

e. Consecutive Awards. Service stripes the same color as the related award color are added for additional awards earned in consecutive years. Instead of the letter and four service stripes for winning the award five consecutive times, in the case of the Battle "E", a gold "E" shall be displayed with a silver star above the "E". In the case of the command excellence awards, an "E" and a star of the same color will be shown for the fifth consecutive award, replacing the service stripes. Another star shall be added for each five successive annual awards.

f. The Battle Efficiency Pennant shall be displayed in accordance with reference (f) from announcement of the award until the next competitive cycle's winner is announced.

SAMPLE BATTLE EFFICIENCY COMPETITION REPORT

From: ISIC (Administrative Title)

To: Type Commander

Subj: SELECTIONS FOR BATTLE EFFICIENCY AND COMMAND EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Ref: (a) COMNAVSURFLANT/COMNAVSURFPACINST 3502.2C (SURFTRAMAN)

Encl: (1) Selections for Battle Efficiency and Command Excellence Awards

(2) ISIC Granted Waivers and Rationale

1. In accordance with reference (a), the ship(s) listed in enclosure (1) assigned to (group/squadron) is/are selected for Battle Efficiency and command excellence awards for the competitive cycle ending _________________. Enclosure (2) provides details regarding ISIC approved waivers.

2. The ships selected are certified to have satisfactorily met the guidelines set forth in reference (a), except as noted in enclosure (2), and have demonstrated the highest level of excellence in their day-to-day performance throughout the competitive cycle.

____________________

(Signature)

Battle "E"

USS __________________

USS __________________

Maritime Warfare (Power Projection/Sea Control) Excellence

USS _________________

USS _________________

USS _________________

Engineering/Survivability Excellence

USS _________________

USS _________________

USS _________________

Command and Control Excellence

USS _________________

USS _________________

USS _________________

Logistics Management Excellence

USS ________________

USS ________________

USS ________________

Enclosure (1)

Figure 5-1 (Cont).

BATTLE EFFICIENCY AWARDS

A B C D E F G

AE, AOE, AO, AGF, CG, CGN, 24 30 15 6 4 3 2

LCC, LHA, LHD, LPH, MCS,

LPD, LSD

FFG, MCM, MHC, ARS 16 20 8 4 2.5 2 1.4

ALL OTHERS 20 25 10 5 3 2.5 1.6

COMMAND EXCELLENCE AWARDS

A B C D E F G

AE, AOE, AO, AGF, CG, CGN, 20 25 10 5 N/A 2.5 1.6

LCC, LHA, LHD, LPH, MCS,

LPD, LSD

ALL OTHERS 12 15 6 3 N/A 1.5 1.2

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