Commendation

Commendation is the act of praising or recognizing someone for a noteworthy action, service, or achievement. The word comes from the Latin commendare and has entered English to describe both informal praise and formal acknowledgement.

In formal contexts, a commendation is an official acknowledgment of meritorious conduct. It can accompany a written letter, a certificate, or a medal, and is used by military, law enforcement, civil service, educational institutions, and corporations to recognize specific acts or sustained performance.

Typically, a commendation begins with a nomination and is reviewed by a supervisor or a dedicated committee. Supporting evidence or testimonials may be required. The outcome is documented in personnel records, announced within the organization, and sometimes publicly.

Commendation differs from general praise in that it carries a formal or documentary status and is often tied to eligibility for promotions, awards, or benefits. It is distinct from a reward, which provides a material incentive, and from general recommendations or endorsements, which advise future action rather than record past merit.

While often small in scale, commendations can influence workplace culture by signaling that exemplary effort is valued and by reinforcing standards of behavior and performance. They can serve as motivation and as historical records of noteworthy actions.