diff --git a/code/datums/medal_awards.dm b/code/datums/medal_awards.dm
index 818d623033d2..37b21bd2bb49 100644
--- a/code/datums/medal_awards.dm
+++ b/code/datums/medal_awards.dm
@@ -479,6 +479,10 @@ GLOBAL_LIST_INIT(xeno_medals, list(XENO_SLAUGHTER_MEDAL, XENO_RESILIENCE_MEDAL,
 			continue
 		recipient_ranks[recipient_name] = record.fields["rank"]
 		possible_recipients += recipient_name
+	if(length(possible_recipients) == 0)
+		to_chat(recommendation_giver, SPAN_WARNING("It's not possible to give medals when the ship is empty. Tough luck, partner..."))
+		return FALSE
+
 	var/chosen_recipient = tgui_input_list(recommendation_giver, "Who do you want to recommend a medal for?", "Medal Recommendation", possible_recipients)
 	if(!chosen_recipient)
 		return FALSE
diff --git a/code/game/objects/items/devices/radio/headset.dm b/code/game/objects/items/devices/radio/headset.dm
index 00f0ad16220c..52f8bd76e894 100644
--- a/code/game/objects/items/devices/radio/headset.dm
+++ b/code/game/objects/items/devices/radio/headset.dm
@@ -417,8 +417,14 @@
 	var/obj/item/card/id/id_card = wearer.wear_id?.GetID()
 	if(!istype(id_card))
 		return
-	if(!(id_card.rank in list(JOB_SO, JOB_XO, JOB_SQUAD_LEADER)))
-		to_chat(wearer, SPAN_WARNING("Only Staff Officers, Executive Officers and Squad Leaders are permitted to give medal recommendations!"))
+	
+	var/datum/paygrade/paygrade_actual = GLOB.paygrades[id_card.paygrade]
+	if(!paygrade_actual)
+		return
+	if(!istype(paygrade_actual, /datum/paygrade/marine)) //We only want marines to be able to recommend for medals
+		return
+	if(paygrade_actual.ranking < 3) //E1 starts at 0, so anyone above Corporal (ranking = 3) can recommend for medals
+		to_chat(wearer, SPAN_WARNING("Only officers or NCO's (ME4+) can recommend medals!"))
 		return
 	if(add_medal_recommendation(usr))
 		to_chat(usr, SPAN_NOTICE("Recommendation successfully submitted."))