Approval authority for the Legion of Merit (LOM) is typically by which rank?

Approval authority for the Legion of Merit (LOM) is typically by which rank?

• A. Major General and above
• B. Brigadier General and above
• C. Colonel and above
• D. Lieutenant Colonel and above

Answer: (A)

Approval authority for the Legion of Merit is set at the level of senior general officers because this decoration recognizes exceptionally meritorious service and sustained outstanding achievement. The lowest rank eligible to approve it is Major General, meaning a two-star general or higher (Lieutenant General or General) can authorize the award. This two-star minimum ensures that only senior leaders with broad oversight and responsibility endorse such a prestigious decoration. Why the other options don’t fit: a Brigadier General (one-star) threshold would be too low for this award, as would a Colonel or Lieutenant Colonel threshold, which are well below the required senior level.

Approval authority for the Legion of Merit is set at the level of senior general officers because this decoration recognizes exceptionally meritorious service and sustained outstanding achievement. The lowest rank eligible to approve it is Major General, meaning a two-star general or higher (Lieutenant General or General) can authorize the award. This two-star minimum ensures that only senior leaders with broad oversight and responsibility endorse such a prestigious decoration.

Why the other options don’t fit: a Brigadier General (one-star) threshold would be too low for this award, as would a Colonel or Lieutenant Colonel threshold, which are well below the required senior level.