National Security Medal

Overview

Executive Order 13709, issued by President Barack Obama on October 2, 2015, aims to formally recognize singular accomplishments in national security by revising the standards and procedures related to the National Security Medal. By modifying Executive Order 10431 from 1953, it expands who can be awarded this honor and details new procedural elements. The initiative focuses on honoring notable contributions or other acts of valor executed since July 26, 1947, emphasizing the importance of highlighting such achievements within the field of national security.

With its new stipulations, this order allows the National Security Medal to be awarded to individuals of any nationality, broadening recognition to include not only American nationals but also international figures who have contributed significantly. This reflects a growing acknowledgement of the importance of international collaboration in national security issues, recognizing that effective security measures often require transnational cooperation. As global networks of threats become more interconnected, international allies' contributions are essential and thus warrant honor under this revised order.

Further, Executive Order 13709 outlines a detailed procedure for nominating candidates for the medal. It democratizes the process, allowing nominations from witnesses with direct or reliable second-hand knowledge of the candidate’s accomplishments. This approach aims to ensure that the nomination process is underpinned by accurate, comprehensive information, requiring necessary concurrence from relevant departments or agencies to maintain a standard of informed decision-making.

Beyond nominating protocol, the order centralizes oversight under the Executive Secretary of the National Security Council, with final approval resting with the President. This framework introduces high-level standardization to the award process, ensuring selections are given prudently. Coordination with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence is essential for finalizing the nomination, emphasizing the order's comprehensive strategy for the award's management and bestowment.

By implementing a structured recognition framework, the order not only broadens the spectrum of potential awardees but also ensures adherence to contemporary security needs, promoting a culture of commendation for exemplary national security efforts. It represents a strategic effort to value courage, innovation, and leadership in a field that is continually challenged to adapt and evolve.

Legal and Policy Implications

Executive Order 13709 brings forth notable amendments to the existing national security award framework established by Executive Order 10431. By opening eligibility to non-U.S. nationals, it underscores the global nature and collaboration inherent in tackling security threats. This broad eligibility aims to foster better diplomatic relations and more robust international cooperation, potentially enhancing international partnerships.

From a legal standpoint, this order prescribes a clear, structured path for nominations and approbation, including presidential and National Security Council reviews. Involving these entities adds layers of transparency and accountability, ensuring that the recognition process is both thorough and fair. Such measures are designed to preserve the integrity of the award and the distinction it confers upon recipients.

Policy-wise, this order stands to encourage personnel engaged in national security to aspire to greater levels of excellence. It institutionalizes reward mechanisms as a core component of national security strategy, thereby reinforcing the importance of acknowledging and valuing extraordinary service and sacrifice within this critical sector.

The order also reaffirms the executive branch's discretionary authority pertaining to national security matters. By defining policies that acknowledge superior contributions to national defense, it highlights the President's role in directing activities and initiatives crucial to national security strategy.

While devoid of statutory changes, Executive Order 13709 aligns with and supports existing legal frameworks authorizing executive facilitation of national defense actions. It consolidates the hierarchy wherein executive orders serve as tools for refining legal policy execution and national security award procedures absent congressional engagement or legislative amendment.

Who Benefits

The main beneficiaries of Executive Order 13709 are individuals and groups who contribute significantly to national security. These include military personnel, intelligence officers, and foreign allies involved in joint security operations. By emphasizing acts of exceptional courage or responsibility, it incentivizes and rewards those whose efforts uphold and protect national interests.

International actors benefit considerably from the revised eligibility for the National Security Medal. This recognition expands the scope of U.S. acknowledgements, fostering goodwill and deeper collaboration with global allies who play critical roles in multinational security efforts. It positions the United States as an inclusive ally eager to acknowledge international input.

Government organizations, particularly those within defense and intelligence sectors, see indirect benefits from the heightened morale and motivation such recognitions can offer their personnel. The chance of prestigious recognition encourages an environment that values responsibility, innovation, and courage.

Furthermore, increased transparency and fairness in the nomination procedures can be advantageous for those who might have been previously overlooked due to the lack of formal or traditional recognition channels. This new framework aims to spotlight a wider range of contributions across different levels and roles.

More broadly, civil society can benefit from the underlying message of the order, which emphasizes integrity in public service. By fostering acknowledgment within national security and governmental circles, the order supports a broader culture of recognizing valuable service and leadership—a notion that may resonate and influence practices in the broader public sector.

Who Suffers

Despite its benevolent intent, Executive Order 13709 could have unintended detriments for specific groups. One potential issue is perceived inequity in the award distribution, especially if implicit biases arise at any stage of the nomination or approval processes. If certain groups or types of achievements disproportionately receive recognition, it might engender dissatisfaction or feeling of favoritism.

Personnel within the national security community who feel overlooked for recognition, despite notable contributions, might experience undervaluation. If awards appear concentrated among certain departments or ranks, it could lead to negative sentiment or decreased morale among those left unacknowledged.

Internationally, nations or individuals excluded from recognition despite their collaboration in security initiatives may find the process exclusive or politically biased, potentially leading to strained relations. Such perceptions could deter future participation in cooperative security initiatives, undermining collaboration efforts.

The process risks politicization if the medal is perceived to align with certain political objectives or narratives. This association might degrade the award's impartiality and diminish its prestigious stature, possibly disadvantaging those whose contributions do not align with the contemporary political climate.

Lastly, an overemphasis on individual achievements, particularly in a collective environment like national security, might overshadow group efforts or teamwork's inherent importance. This individual-centric focus could impair team cohesion, accentuating priority areas not in line with collective and integrated approaches essential for effective national security operations.

Historical Context

Executive Order 13709 represents a modern approach to recognizing achievements in national security, situated within a longstanding context of evolving defense and security policies from the National Security Act of 1947 onwards. This order continues initiatives to update recognition practices, reflecting new security challenges and significant accomplishments in this domain.

Throughout Obama's presidency, a focus on multilateral diplomacy and international cooperation to address global security issues—such as terrorism, nuclear proliferation, and cyberspace threats—was evident. Expanding medal eligibility to non-U.S. citizens aligns with his administration's broader foreign policy initiatives emphasizing coalition building and international partnerships.

The order aligns with broader executive action trends under Obama, aimed at reforming government policies to be more equitable, efficient, and in tune with current societal values. By reforming established frameworks, the order complements similar measures in other sectors like healthcare, environmental protection, and immigration.

Traditionally, national security awards have been directed toward military personnel and intelligence agencies, yet this order signifies a shift to include more varied roles in the field, recognizing civilians and foreign partners integral to operations. This change acknowledges the complexity of modern security engagements that require diverse contributions.

In the broader spectrum of U.S. security policies, this order represents a commitment to value significant contributions across diverse domains and indicates an acknowledgment that the landscape of security is dynamic. The order holds that security policy must evolve alongside threats and contributors should reflect a global, sophisticated network.

Potential Controversies or Challenges

Despite the primary focus on recognition, Executive Order 13709 might face several controversies, especially regarding perceptions and implementations of the award process. Centralizing nomination approvals within the National Security Council under executive control could raise transparency or political neutrality concerns.

Historically, award systems have faced scrutiny over biases or unfair distributions. Ensuring equality in the application of expanded eligibility criteria will be essential for sustaining the integrity of the National Security Medal. Any deviation might lead to negative scrutiny that undermines the award's prestige.

Potential legal challenges could arise if the process appears exclusionary or if it inadvertently discriminates against certain roles within national security, especially those less visible yet vital. Such concerns might provoke demands for more inclusive processes that accommodate a broader contributor spectrum.

Congressional oversight may pose further challenges, particularly if disagreement arises over criteria or processes defined in the executive order. In highly polarized political climates, lawmakers might seek adjustments to align with broader legislative or oversight intended functions.

Finally, enforcement and implementation challenges might present logistical concerns, especially in maintaining coordination between key stakeholders like the National Security Council, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and other relevant bodies. Ensuring that nominations are processed efficiently and awarded transparently will be crucial in deterring criticisms of favoritism or procedural inefficiency.