Superior Public Service Medal
{{infobox military award
| name = Superior Public Service Medal
| image = CivSOAPublicSvcAward.gif
| image_size = 125px
| caption = Secretary of the Army Public Service Award
| presenter = 25px Department of the Army
| country = {{USA}}
| type = Civilian public service award
| eligibility = Civilians not employed by the Federal Government for outstanding public service to the Department of the Army.{{cite web | last =Robertson | first =Megan C. | title =The United States of America: Department of the Army Exceptional Public Service Medal | work =Medals of the World | publisher = | date =26 December 2002 | url =http://www.medals.org.uk/usa/usa028.htm | format = | doi = | accessdate = }}
| awarded_for = Exceptional service that makes a substantial contribution to the accomplishment of the Army's missions{{cite web | title =Secretary of the Army Public Service Award | work =Department of the Army Public Service Awards for Private Citizens | publisher =US Army Civilian Personnel Online | date =2008-12-02 | url =http://cpol.army.mil/library/mer/awards/sapsa.html | archive-url =https://archive.today/20121212203028/http://cpol.army.mil/library/mer/awards/sapsa.html | url-status =dead | archive-date =December 12, 2012 | accessdate =2011-07-10}}
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| established = June 1998{{cite web | title =Secretary of the Army Public Service Award | work =Army Public Service Awards | publisher =The Institute of Heraldry | date = | url =http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Awards/civ_public_service.aspx | format = | doi = | accessdate =2011-07-10 }}
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| higher = Decoration for Distinguished Civilian Service
| same =
| lower = Meritorious Public Service Medal
| related =
| image2 = 100px
| caption2 = Ribbon bar of the medal
}}
The Superior Public Service Medal formerly the Secretary of the Army Public Service Award consists of a silver medal, lapel button, and citation certificate. The United States Secretary of the Army awards this decoration to those who provide exceptional service that makes a substantial contribution to the accomplishment of the Army's missions. These include any individual (except Army civilian employees who are eligible for Army honorary awards, military personnel, or Army contractors). {{cite web| title =Army Regulation 672–20 Incentive Awards| publisher =Headquarters, Department of the Army| date =29 January 1999| url =https://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r672_20.pdf| access-date =2011-07-10| url-status =live| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20150114100802/http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r672_20.pdf| archive-date =14 January 2015}}
Eligibility
The Secretary of the Army awards this decoration to private citizens. Army civilian employees (who are eligible for Army honorary awards in accordance with Chapter 9-1.2 of Army Regulation 672-20), military personnel and Army contractors are ineligible. This award is appropriate for spouses of military members provided they meet the criteria. Nominations for this award are forwarded to the Army Incentive Awards Board through command channels. Nominated individuals must have provided exceptional public service to the Army deserving of greater recognition than that which can be granted by a Major Army Commander.
Background
The medal was established by directive of the Secretary of the Army in June 1998. It is ranked between the Distinguished Civilian Service Decoration and the Outstanding Civilian Service Award. This award consists of a silver medal, lapel button and certificate. A service ribbon and miniature size medal are also available.