The Assistant Secretary of the Army approved the Commander’s Award for Public Service (CAPS) on June 14, 1983, establishing it as the fourth highest honorary public-service award that can be given to private citizens. During a 2014 overhaul of the naming conventions the Army’s Public Service Medals, the decoration was redesignated the Public Service Commendation Medal. The obverse of the medal remained unchanged, but the inscription on the back was changed to “For Commendable Public Service to the United States Army.” Also unchanged was the ribbon.
Included in the awarding authorities for the CAPS any commanders at the rank of colonel and above, any commanders who exercise the authority to convene a court-martial, and the principal officials at Headquarters, Department of the Army staff agencies. The award is granted in recognition of achievements or service that significantly contribute to the mission of a command, staff agency, or an Army activity.
Recent examples of civilians honored with the CAPs include NBA player Spencer Hawes, who sponsored numerous events to support military personnel (including veterans) and their families while he played for the Philadelphia 76ers; Georgia Tech Professor John-Paul Clark, who authored three reports on various ways to optimize U.S. Military forces; and Ray Eldridge, the dean of Lipscomb University’s College of Business in Nashville, for his service on the Fort Campbell Retired Soldier council from 2008 to 2016.