prior to 1 january 2014, the device was also authorized on outstanding unit awards and organizational excellence awards to indicate the unit participated in direct combat support actions. the "v" device is also authorized for the air medal by all the services where heroism in aerial combat was involved on an individual mission. on 15 august 2016, the coast guard changed their criteria such that new awards of the "v" would be for valor only, to denote a heroic act or acts while participating in conflict or combat with an armed enemy. on 6 january 2016, the department of defense announced that it was revising its military decorations and awards program to include a "v" device change to its original 1940s use of denoting heroism in combat only on specific decorations for the military services. two new "c" and "r" devices will also be used on relevant awards.