To be eligible for this award, nominee must:

• Be a military retiree, spouse, dependent child or family member of a National Guard member able to provide proof of service,

• Be stationed in the state of Nebraska,

• If applying for the youth award, nominee must be 18 years or younger, or,

• If applying for the adult award, nominee must be 19 years or older.

Those not eligible include:​

• A military spouse no longer married at the time of the award.

• Previous winners are not eligible for five years from that date of last received award.