Limitations. The Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal will not be awarded for service involving participation in aerial flight after 1 January 1969. The Air Medal is the more appropriate recognition for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. This does not preclude the award of the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal to those who meet the eligibility requirement for service during which participation in aerial flight was incidental.
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​​(c) Reflect most creditably on the efforts of the individual toward the accomplishment of the unit mission.
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​(b) Be sustained so as to demonstrate a high state of development or, if for a specific achievement, be of such merit as to earn singular recognition for the act, and
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​(a) Be noteworthy
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​Leadership Achievement that merit the NA must:
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​​(b) Be an important contribution of benefit to the United States and the Naval Service.
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​(a) Clearly exceed that which is normally required or expected, considering the individual’s grade or rate, training, and experience, and
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​Professional achievement that merit the NA must:
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​The Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces, including members of Reserve components on active or inactive duty, of the grade of lieutenant commander/major and below. The award shall be presented for meritorious service or achievement in combat or non-combat circumstances based on sustained performance or specific achievement of a superlative nature, and shall be of such merit as to warrant more recognition than is possible by a fitness report or performance evaluation, but which is not significant enough to justify a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal or higher.