Cross of Valor – Awarded to C-SWAT operatives who distinguish themselves by extraordinary heroism in the presence of great danger and personal risk. It is a combat decoration only and is a rare award to receive.

Distinguished Service Medal – Awarded to members who distinguish themselves by exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility. Most often awarded to officers, but it has been awarded, on occasion, to non-officer ranks. This award is usually presented to team leaders or higher billets.

Silver Star – Awarded to those who, while serving in any capacity, distinguish themselves by gallantry in action against an enemy.

Bronze Star – Awarded for heroic or meritorious achievement or service.

Purple Heart – Awarded for any person wounded in action while serving. Most C-SWAT operatives who have been in for any length of time wear this medal -- that’s just the way it goes. Anyone who has served much time and hasn’t received this medal is considered extremely lucky. This medal is also awarded posthumously to the next of kin of personnel killed in action, or who died of wounds received in action.

Meritorious Service Medal – Awarded for those who distinguish themselves by either outstanding achievement or meritorious service. It is used to replace the Bronze Star for recognition of meritorious non-combat service. Often awarded for lifesaving.

Commendation Medal – Awarded to those who distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement or meritorious service. This medal is also often awarded for lifesaving.

Achievement Medal – Awarded for outstanding professional achievement or for leadership. Awarded for both combat and non-combat service.

Combat Action Ribbon – Awarded for combat action service involving a combat firefight or action during which they were under enemy fire and that their performance must have been satisfactory. From the time of assignment to a unit, it is usually only a matter of weeks before this award is received. Any C-SWAT operative without this award is truly considered a ‘rookie’ and has obviously not seen any action.

Unit Citation – A rare award presented to each member of a C-SWAT unit when two or more SPAR teams are combined against an armed enemy and their performance is outstanding. This award can only be given by the Unit CO.

Unit Commendation – Awarded for any unit (possibly only 1 SPAR team) that distinguishes itself by outstanding heroism in action against the enemy, but not sufficient to warrant award of the unit citation. Also awarded for extremely meritorious service not involving combat, which was outstanding when compared to other units performing similar service.

Honorable Service Medal – Awarded on a selective basis to operatives of any C-SWAT unit for three years of continuous active service of a credible above-average nature.