Soldiers who worked more than two months on Y2K and made a ''major contribution'' are eligible for the Army Achievement Medal. Those with at least one year of ''significant planning or operational impact'' can receive the higher Army Commendation Medal. And two to three years as a Y2K project manager entitles a soldier to the Meritorious Service Medal. There was a lot of hard work done, and it all supports the war fighter,'' says Forces Command spokesman Col. Bob Thomson. So far, Forces Command, which oversees 200,000 U.S.-based active duty soldiers as well as reserve and guard units, has awarded 42 Y2K medals, but potentially thousands more throughout the Army could receive medals for Y2K service.
Military commanders enjoy wide discretion when it comes to medals.
It is unclear whether Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps commands will follow suit. The Army is the most generous service when it comes to medals. In 1998, it recognized for distinguished achievement or service one in every 2.2 soldiers, giving them a Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal or Army Achievement Medal. That doesn't include other awards such as good-conduct ribbons. By comparison, the Marine Corps gave one award for every 16 Marines in 1998.