Section 38-2-283. Awards; individual; unit

   (a) Every officer and enlisted man who has served this state honorably and faithfully for ten years, continuously or otherwise, and who continues in active service as an officer or enlisted man after that period shall be awarded a bronze medal of suitable design and inscription; and after each additional ten years of honorable and faithful service, continuous or otherwise, there shall be awarded, upon like continuance in service, a suitable bar. These medals and bars shall be furnished by the state through the military division upon application of the person entitled thereto, approved by intermediate commanders, and the expenses of the same shall be paid out of the military fund.

(b) In addition to the awarding of the medals and bars provided in subsection (a) of this Code section, the adjutant general is authorized to award distinctive service medals to officers and enlisted men and honorably discharged officers and enlisted men of the organized militia for meritorious services performed by the officers and enlisted men under the following provisions:

   (1) The design and inscription on the medals shall be determined by the adjutant general;

   (2) Not more than five medals shall be awarded in one calendar year;

   (3) Two medals shall be awarded at the discretion of the adjutant general for meritorious service performed by any officer or enlisted man;

   (4) Three medals shall be awarded by the adjutant general annually upon the recommendation of a board of five officers. The five officers are to be appointed each year for the purpose of selecting the three members of the organized militia who have performed the most meritorious services during the calendar year;

   (5) The adjutant general shall be authorized to make such rules and regulations as he may deem advisable with reference to convening the board provided for in paragraph (4) of this subsection and the evidence as to meritorious services to be considered by the board; and

   (6) The expense of the medals shall be paid from the military fund.

(c) On the recommendation of the adjutant general, the Governor may authorize the award of trophies, citations, and other types of awards to members and units of the organized militia for outstanding achievements as he deems advisable to inspire the spirit of competition and to stimulate interest to the end that technical proficiency and a high standard of efficiency in administration and training are attained. The expense of the awards shall be paid from the military fund.

Ga. L. 1916, p. 158, § 3; Code 1933, § 86-1407; Ga. L. 1951, p. 311, § 24; Ga. L. 1955, p. 10, § 89.