The Medal of Honor is the pinnacle of operational achievement within CSG-12. It is presented for a truly singular, selfless act of courage that is immediately distinguishable from any other heroic action performed during an operation. This award is reserved for the individual who takes a fully calculated, mortal risk, demonstrating profound fearlessness in the face of imminent destruction. The act must fundamentally shift the outcome of the mission or save the lives of multiple comrades.

The Navy Cross is the second-highest decoration for combat valor in CSG-12, recognizing acts of extraordinary heroism performed during highly consequential moments of an operation. This award signifies courage performed in the face of grave danger, often involving critical leadership or decisive initiative that saves multiple lives or secures a vital objective under heavy enemy fire. It is clearly greater than the standard of heroism required for the Silver Star.

The Navy Distinguished Service Medal recognizes exceptionally meritorious service to the unit, specifically recognizing high-level leadership, administration, and sustained performance of duties of great responsibility. This is the highest non-combat award in CSG-12, reserved for Command staff, dedicated Mission Makers (ZEUS team), and Senior Enlisted who demonstrate profound impact over an extended period. It is specifically intended for individuals whose sustained dedication ensures the successful operation, stability, and growth of Carrier Strike Group Twelve.

The Silver Star is the third-highest decoration for combat valor in CSG-12. It is awarded for singular acts of gallantry that stand out among similar combat actions. This award recognizes heroism performed while engaged in action against an enemy, demonstrating a level of courage that directly and significantly contributes to the mission's success. It typically represents a high-risk action beyond the standard expectations of the recipient's role, earning respect across all arms of the unit.

The Legion of Merit recognizes exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service to the unit. It is a highly prestigious award given for actions that represent a significant improvement to the functionality, administration, or stability of the unit over a sustained period. This award is primarily for mid-to-high-ranking personnel who have demonstrated superior dedication to duty, exceptional organizational skills, and measurable success in their administrative or training roles.

The Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) is awarded for heroism or extraordinary achievement performed while participating in aerial flight. This is the highest combat achievement award reserved for pilots, aircrew, and designated non-pilot air combatants in CSG-12. The act of heroism or achievement must be completely distinguishable from the actions of peers and directly contribute to the mission's success. It recognizes airmanship that transcends routine performance, often under heavy enemy anti-air or hostile fighter presence.

The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the highest decoration awarded for non-combat heroism by Navy and Marine personnel. This award recognizes acts of heroism involving voluntary risk of life that are not directly related to armed conflict with an enemy force. It is reserved for exceptional courage demonstrated during emergencies such as fires, natural disasters, or the rescue of personnel from grave danger. The act must stand out significantly above normal expectations for duty in non-combat scenarios.

The Bronze Star Medal is awarded for heroic or meritorious achievement or service in connection with combat operations against an opposing force. It is the highest remaining valor award for ground combat and is primarily used to recognize junior officers and enlisted members who, through sustained actions, display noteworthy heroism or highly effective, decisive service in a combat zone. The BSM is a highly respected decoration signifying consistent, high-impact performance under fire.

The Purple Heart is awarded to any service member of the U.S. Armed Forces who has been wounded or killed in any action against an enemy of the United States. In CSG-12, this award is used to recognize members who suffer a wound that puts them out of action during a hostile encounter. It is not awarded for heroism or achievement, but rather for the personal sacrifice made while serving in combat. This award fosters unit cohesion by visibly honoring those who sustain injury while fighting for the team.

The Meritorious Service Medal is awarded for meritorious service or achievement in the performance of duty. It is the unit's key mid-level service award, typically recognizing sustained superior performance over an extended period (6–12 months) by mid-ranking members who demonstrate dedication, organizational skill, and clear achievement in their administrative or training duties. The MSM is essential for acknowledging the dedication of training instructors, recruiting staff, and support personnel whose consistent efforts ensure smooth unit operations.

The Air Medal is awarded for meritorious achievement or heroism while participating in aerial flight. It is the unit's primary mid-level aviation combat award, recognizing sustained, superior performance over a series of combat missions or a single, distinguished achievement that significantly contributed to the mission's success. The Air Medal recognizes aircrew and pilots whose consistent skill, dedication, and calculated risk-taking directly aid the operational goals of CSG-12. It is typically used for achievements below the standard required for the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).

The Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (NCMCM) is awarded for heroic achievement, outstanding achievement, or meritorious service in a combat or non-combat capacity. This is the unit's primary junior-level award, used frequently to recognize sustained performance by junior officers (O-1 to O-3) and senior enlisted members (E-5 to E-7). The NCMCM is versatile, covering everything from a specific act of courage in combat (with a "V" device) to a highly successful six-month tour as a Training or Logistics NCO. It signifies noteworthy and commendable performance of duty.

The Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (NMCAM) is awarded for meritorious service or achievement of a lesser degree than required for the Commendation Medal. This is the unit's entry-level medal, used primarily to recognize junior personnel (E-1 to E-4) or new members for a single act of heroism or a specific, short-term achievement (typically 3–6 months). The NMCAM is essential for encouraging new members and recognizing contributions that are clearly superior to the norm but do not meet the sustained performance requirement of a higher award.

The Combat Action Ribbon (CAR) is awarded to personnel who have satisfactorily performed in sustained combat during an engagement with an opposing force. The CAR is not a medal for heroism or achievement, but rather an indicator of personal sacrifice and experience. It is awarded to those who have been personally exposed to hostile fire or suffered a direct hostile act while actively participating in a ground or flight engagement. It is one of the most respected ribbons, as it immediately identifies the wearer as having direct combat experience.

The Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) is awarded to a unit that displays such gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions that would otherwise warrant the award of the Navy Cross to an individual. This award is reserved for the most decisive campaigns where the entire unit—Marines, Navy Aviation, and support—performed with extraordinary heroism to achieve a critical strategic objective. The PUC signifies collective valor and is the most prestigious unit award CSG-12 can earn.

The Navy Unit Commendation (NUC) is awarded to a unit that distinguishes itself by outstanding heroism in action against an armed enemy, or by extremely meritorious service that would otherwise warrant the award of the Silver Star to an individual. This award is used to recognize outstanding collective performance during successful campaigns that showcase sustained dedication, planning, and superior execution across the Air Wing, Ground Forces, and IOG support elements.

The Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC) is awarded to any unit that performs service or demonstrates achievement in a non-combat or combat situation that is clearly superior to the standard expected. This award is essential for recognizing the sustained, collective, superior performance of a major component of the unit (e.g., a specific Air Wing squadron, the IOG/ZEUS team, or the ground element) during a campaign or extended period. The MUC signifies collective superior execution and is the third-highest unit award CSG-12 can earn.

The Navy "E" Ribbon (or Battle Efficiency Award) is awarded to a command or unit component that attains the highest standards of battle efficiency and sustained readiness over an inspection cycle or major operational period. This award signifies that a specific unit (e.g., a single aircraft squadron, a flight element, or the IOG/ZEUS team) is the most efficient and ready component within the entire unit structure. It is not an award for combat heroism, but rather for flawless operational execution, administration, and training excellence.

The Prisoner of War (POW) Medal is awarded to any service member who has been taken prisoner of war while engaged in combat operations against an opposing force. This award is unique because it is granted solely for the fact of being captured and detained; it is not awarded for heroism or achievement. In CSG-12, this medal recognizes the personal sacrifice and endurance of personnel who have been captured and detained by enemy forces, reinforcing the unit's commitment to honor and remember all personnel who suffer this fate.

The Navy Good Conduct Medal (NGCM) is awarded to enlisted personnel who demonstrate a sustained record of good conduct, fidelity, and efficient service over a full tour of duty. This award is unique because it is not based on a single act of heroism or achievement, but rather on the member’s overall behavior and professionalism across a period of service. In CSG-12, it is used to formally recognize enlisted members who complete their initial commitment or full tours without any disciplinary issues, signifying reliability and professional maturity.

The Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (MCGCM) is awarded to enlisted Marine personnel who demonstrate a sustained record of good conduct, fidelity, and efficient service over a prescribed period. This award is reserved for members serving in the Marine element of CSG-12. Like the Navy version, it is not based on a single action but on the member's overall behavior and professional performance across a tour of duty. It signifies reliability, loyalty, and consistent adherence to the high standards of the Marine Corps.

The Navy Expeditionary Medal (NEM) is awarded to Navy personnel for service in a named U.S. military expedition or operation for which no specific campaign medal has been authorized. This award is used to recognize deployments or unit actions in defined hostile or highly hazardous areas where significant exposure to danger or hardship occurred, but where the level of sustained combat did not warrant a full campaign medal. It signifies participation in critical, forward-deployed, non-combat operational tasks.

The Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal (MCEM) is awarded to Marine personnel for service in a named U.S. military expedition or operation for which no specific campaign medal has been authorized. This award recognizes the commitment of Marine ground forces to forward deployment and operational readiness in hostile or highly hazardous areas. It signifies direct participation in critical landing, security, or contingency operations where exposure to danger or hardship was significant.

The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOT-EM) is awarded to personnel who have deployed overseas specifically to participate in combat or qualifying counter-terrorism operations. This medal signifies participation in the unit's forward-deployed, high-risk campaigns in designated operational theaters. Unlike the generic service medal, the GWOT-EM recognizes service that involved a credible threat of hostile action or required specific counter-terrorism training and execution. For CSG-12, this represents participation in any major campaign that simulates real-world high-risk deployment.

The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (GWOT-SM) is awarded to personnel who have participated in supporting counter-terrorism operations, but who did not meet the deployment criteria for the GWOT Expeditionary Medal (GWOT-EM). This medal signifies service in support of anti-terrorism and operational readiness efforts, typically while serving in a non-hostile operating location. For CSG-12, this represents the vital administrative, training, or logistical support provided to deployed elements from a non-combat environment, recognizing that every role is critical to the fight.