What is the hardest award to get in the army
Ask anyone who's actually been in—or studied this stuff—what the toughest Army award is to pin on your chest, and almost everyone lands on the Medal of Honor. And yeah, it's not just "difficult." It's absurdly rare. We're talking actions that go so far beyond duty that they barely seem real. Often, the guy getting it doesn't live to see it happen. But here's the thing: "hardest" can mean different things. Maybe it's about rarity. Maybe it's the sheer physical punishment. Or maybe it's about proving you've got skills nobody else has. Let's break down which ones really test you.
What is the hardest award to get in the army based on valor?
The Medal of Honor—that's the big one. The President hands it out, in Congress's name, to someone who pulled off something so insanely brave it makes your stomach drop. Above and beyond. That's the phrase.
What makes it so brutally hard to get? The proof. The standard's insane. Your action has to be so exceptional that nobody could possibly expect it from any other soldier in the same spot. Since World War II, most of these have been awarded after death. They investigate everything. Document everything. Two officers have to witness it. As of 2024, fewer than 3,600 have ever been awarded since 1861. Most living recipients got theirs for Vietnam or earlier. That's how rare we're talking.
What is the hardest award to get in the army for special operations?
For guys in the Green Berets, Rangers, or Delta Force—the real deal—the hardest might be the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC). The Medal of Honor's higher, yeah. But the DSC? It's second place for valor. And honestly, it might be tougher to earn if you actually survive your heroics. It's for extraordinary heroism in combat, just one step below that top tier.
Then there's the Silver Star, third highest. But the DSC is way rarer. Since the Global War on Terrorism started, we've seen dozens of DSCs. Thousands of Silver Stars. The DSC needs heroism that's almost indistinguishable from the Medal of Honor—it just misses that "above and beyond" part that everyone in the chain of command agrees on.
What is the hardest skill-based award to get in the army?
If we're talking skills, not combat guts, people bring up the Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB) and the Special Forces Tab. But the real monster? The Ranger Tab.
To get it, you've got to finish Ranger School. That's 61 days of leadership hell. Three phases: Benning (Georgia), Mountain (Dahlonega, Georgia), and Swamp (Florida). It pushes you to your absolute breaking point—physically, mentally, everything. The dropout rate's over 50% most times. What makes it so nasty isn't just the running or the rucking. It's the sleep deprivation. The constant hunger. The stress of leading a patrol when you can barely think straight. Less than 3% of all Army soldiers ever earn that tab.
People Also Ask: Which award is rarer than the Medal of Honor?
Okay, so the Medal of Honor's the most prestigious. But rarest? That's trickier. People throw out the Army Distinguished Service Medal (non-combat) or the Legion of Merit (for senior officers). One guy even said the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal? Nah, that's wrong. Or the Army of Occupation Medal? No way. The real answer? For combat, the Medal of Honor itself is the rarest overall. But since 9/11? The Distinguished Service Cross is statistically rarer. Fewer have been awarded in the modern era.
Data Table: Comparison of the Hardest Army Awards
| Award | Category | Rarity (Approx. Total) | Difficulty Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medal of Honor | Combat Valor | ~3,600 (all time) | Near-certain death; requires witness accounts; presidential approval |
| Distinguished Service Cross | Combat Valor | ~13,000 (all time) | Extraordinary heroism; extremely rare in modern conflicts |
| Ranger Tab | Skill/Leadership | ~100,000 (all time) | 61-day course; 50%+ attrition; sleep/food deprivation |
| Special Forces Tab | Skill/Special Operations | ~50,000 (all time) | Longer course (1+ year); requires language and cultural proficiency |
Checklist: What it takes to earn the hardest awards
- For the Medal of Honor: You've got to do something so brave it's beyond comprehension. Survive or die trying. Two officers have to see it, and it's fully documented. No shortcuts.
- For the Distinguished Service Cross: Show extraordinary heroism in combat. Doesn't need to hit that "above and beyond" mark like the MoH, but it's still a massive risk. You might live through it.
- For the Ranger Tab: Pass RAP week, then survive Mountain and Swamp. Lead a patrol while starving and exhausted. Mess up once? You get recycled or dropped. Simple as that.
- For the Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB): Nail 30+ individual tasks with zero failures. The pass rate? Often below 20% per attempt. No room for error.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Medal of Honor the hardest award to get in the army?
Yeah, most people think so. The risk of death is insane, and the proof required is brutal. It's the only one that demands "above and beyond" the call of duty. Most recipients get it after they're gone.
What is the hardest award to get in the army without dying?
The Distinguished Service Cross is probably the toughest to earn and still be around. It needs extraordinary heroism in combat. For non-combat stuff, the Ranger Tab is the killer—high attrition, no dying required, just pure suffering.
What is the hardest award to get in the army for officers?
Officers usually aim for the Medal of Honor or DSC, but the Ranger Tab's a beast too. A lot of them try Ranger School multiple times before they finally get that tab. It's not easy for anyone.
What is the hardest award to get in the army for enlisted soldiers?
The Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB) is notoriously tough for enlisted guys. You've got to pass 30+ tasks with zero mistakes. Pass rate often under 20% per try. It's a grind.
Resumen breve
- Medalla de Honor: El premio más difícil de obtener debido al requisito de valor extremo más allá del deber, a menudo póstumo.
- Cruz de Servicio Distinguido: El segundo premio más alto por valor, considerado el más difícil de ganar para los que sobreviven a su acto heroico.
- Insignia Ranger: El premio basado en habilidades más difícil, con una tasa de abandono superior al 50% en el curso de 61 días.
- Insignia de Infantería Experta: El premio más difícil para soldados alistados, con una tasa de aprobación inferior al 20% por intento.
