Final answer:
Awards like service-specific commendation medals are not authorized for members of one branch of the U.S. Armed Forces recognizing combat participation when assigned to a unit of another branch; joint-service awards or campaign medals serve this purpose instead.
Step-by-step explanation:
The types of awards that are not authorized to recognize satisfactory participation in combat if assigned to units of other U.S.
Armed Forces are generally service-specific commendation medals or other unit/individual awards that are intended for members of the specific branch of service.
For example, a member of the Navy would typically not be eligible for an Army Commendation Medal for combat participation while serving within an Army unit. Instead, there are joint-service awards or campaign medals that are designed to recognize service regardless of the individual's branch of service during joint operations or under joint command.