THE ANCIENT ORDER
OF SAINT BARBARA

General Information. The Ancient Order of Saint Barbara is the more distinguished of the two levels of awards. It recognizes those Air Defense Artillery Association Members who stand above their brethren of the Honorable Order. The general criteria for accession into the Ancient Order is to have made extraordinary contributions through long-term service for, or on behalf of, the United States Army Air Defense Artillery branch. The Ancient Order is reserved for those ADAA members whose careers have embodied the spirit, dignity, sense of sacrifice and commitment epitomized by Saint Barbara. Membership in the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara is not a prerequisite for membership in the Ancient Order.

Induction Requirements. The following requirements for induction into the Ancient Order of Saint Barbara must be met for approval:

• Officers must be MAJ (P)/LTC or above selected for, currently serving as, or have successfully completed Battalion/Brigade command.

• Noncommissioned Officers must be a MSG/SGM selected for, currently serving as, or have successfully held a Battalion/Brigade CSM position.

• Warrant Officers must be a CW4/Master Warrant Officer who has served and contributed greatly at the Battalion/Brigade level.

• Civilians must have provided significant service and contributions to the Air Defense Artillery Branch.

Nominating Process. To nominate a worthy individual for the Ancient Order of Saint Barbara award, fill out ALL information on the nomination order form (see Annex A). A short synopsis of the nominee's military and educational career, highlighting major contributions to the branch, must be included with the memorandum. It should contain sufficient detail about the candidate to enable the board of Colonels and the Commanding General to make an informed judgment. If the Commanding General decides the justification does not merit the honor, the Air Defense Artillery Association will refund full payment to the requester. To ensure adequate time for processing, nominations should be received at least six weeks prior to the date requested on the award.

Induction Process. Nominations for the Ancient Order of Saint Barbara MUST be made by a member of the Ancient Order of Saint Barbara. The nominating authority for the Ancient Order of Saint Barbara is the first ADA Colonel in the chain of command. If no ADA Colonel exists in the chain, authority reverts to the first ADA Lieutenant Colonel or the highest ranking ADA officer in the chain of command. Nominations will be forwarded to the ADA Association at Fort Bliss and will appear before a board of three ADA Colonels and the Post Command Sergeant Major. The three Colonels are the Executive Director of the ADA Association, the Deputy Assistant Commandant and the Chief of Staff of Fort Bliss. Two of the four must approve the nomination. Following the board’s review, the nomination is sent to the Chief of the Branch for final approval and signature. The Chief of the Air Defense Artillery Branch reserves the right to sign all Ancient Order of Saint Barbara awards.

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General Information. The Honorable Order recognizes those individuals who have demonstrated the highest standards of integrity and moral character, displayed an outstanding degree of competence and served the United States Army Air Defense Artillery Branch with selflessness. They must have significantly contributed to the promotion of the Air Defense Artillery in ways that stand out in the eyes of the recipient's seniors, subordinates, and peers alike.

Induction Requirements. The following requirements for induction into the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara must be met for approval.

• Officers must have completed, or currently serving, a successful battery command. They must also be OAC graduates.

• Noncommissioned Officers must have successfully performed, or currently serving, as a platoon sergeant. They must also hold the rank of Staff Sergeant or above.

• Warrant Officers must be a CW2 or above who have served successfully at the battalion level or above.

• Civilians must have made significant contributions to the Air Defense Artillery Branch.

Nominating Process. To nominate a worthy Air Defender, complete ALL information on the nomination order form (See Annex A). To ensure adequate time for processing, nominations should be received at least six weeks prior to the date requested on the award.

Induction Process. Nominations for the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara MUST be made by a member of the Ancient Order of Saint Barbara and approved by an ADA Lieutenant Colonel Commander or above (current or past). The Chief of Air Defense Artillery reserves the right to waiver any requirements.

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THE HONORABLE ORDER
OF MOLLY PITCHER

General Information. The Honorable Order of Molly Pitcher recognized women who have voluntarily contributed in a significant way to the improvement of the Air Defense Artillery Community.

Nomination Process. To nominate a worthy lady for this award, complete ALL information on the nomination order form (see Annex A). If a packet must be forwarded to the Commanding General at Fort Bliss, be sure to include a short memorandum detailing her contributions to the Air Defense Artillery Community.

Induction Process. The nominating and approving authority for the Order of Molly Pitcher is the first ADA Battalion or Brigade Commander in the chain of command. If no ADA Battalion or Brigade Commander exists, the senior ADA commander in the organization will forward the nomination to the ADA Association at Fort Bliss. The packet will be forwarded to the Commanding General for review and final decision.

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Army Blue or Army White Mess Uniform. The Order of Saint Barbara medallion will be worn with the ribbon around the neck, outside the shirt collar and inside the coat collar. The medallion will hang at full length of the ribbon.

Army Blue, Army White or Army Green Uniform. The Order of Saint Barbara medallion will hang with the ribbon around the neck, outside the shirt collar and inside the coat collar. The medallion will hang over the four-in-hand necktie near the collar and above the top button of the coat or just under the bow tie near the collar and above the top button of the coat. Proper positioning may require pinning the ribbon together approximately three inches from the ends.

General Information. The medallion will be worn with the cannon side facing the chest and the bust of Saint Barbara facing out and in view. The Order of Saint Barbara will be worn ONLY at official Air Defense Artillery functions such as Saint Barbara's Day celebrations, Artillery Balls, or Artillery Dinings-In and Dinings-Out. Commanders, 0-5 and above may designate other occasions for wear as appropriate.

Males. Men will wear the medallion around the neck with the ribbon over the shirt collar and inside the coat collar. Whether worn with a bow tie or four-in-hand tie, the medallion will hang at the full length of the ribbon. When the four-in-hand tie is worn, the medallion will hang over the tie.

Females. Ladies will wear the Order of Saint Barbara medallion around the neck with it hanging at the full length of the ribbon.

General Information. The Order of Saint Barbara medallion should be worn ONLY at Saint Barbara's Day celebrations, Air Defense Artillery Balls, Dinings-In and Dinings-Out. The medallion will be worn with the cannon side facing the chest and the bust of Saint Barbara facing out and in view.

The order of Molly Pitcher may be worn as the recipient deems appropriate. The medallion may hang from either a ribbon or a chain.

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Last updated on May 19, 2003. Please send comments or suggestions to the Webmaster.