Final answer:
Commanders generally have the authority to recognize and submit awards for individuals under their command, including personal staff, but there are often specific regulations and policies that must be followed to ensure proper procedure and avoid conflicts of interest. The answer is yes (a).
Step-by-step explanation:
The ability of commanders to approve awards for members considered part of their personal staff typically depends on the specific regulations and policies of the military or organization in question.
Generally, commanders do have the authority to recognize and submit awards for individuals under their command, but there might be limitations or specific procedures they must follow, especially for personal staff where there could be perceived biases or conflicts of interest.
In the military, for example, specific guidelines outline who has the authority to approve different types of awards and the levels of endorsement required.
It's important for those in command positions to be familiar with these regulations to ensure any award approvals are made within the scope of their authority and adhere to organizational standards.