Washington ( CNN ) -- U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan could someday be awarded medals for restraint that prevents civilian casualties in combat . The possibility is under consideration by the staff of Gen. Stanley McChrystal , the commander in Afghanistan , according to Lt. Col. Tadd Sholtis , McChrystal 's spokesman . The idea of rewarding battlefield restraint was proposed by British Maj. Gen. Nick Carter , who is in charge of the international forces in southern Afghanistan . Sholtis said the idea is still in its `` conceptual stage . '' `` Although no decisions have been made on the award itself , the idea is consistent with our strategic approach , '' Sholtis said . `` Our young men and women display remarkable courage every day , including situations where they refrain from using lethal force , even at risk to themselves , in order to prevent possible harm to civilians . In some situations our forces face in Afghanistan , that restraint is an act of discipline and courage not much different than those combat actions that merit awards for valor . '' Sholtis said troops would still have the right of self defense . `` Let me be clear . We absolutely support the right of our forces to defend themselves . Valuing restraint in a potentially dangerous situation is not the same thing as denying troops the right to employ lethal force when they determine that it is necessary . '' McChrystal has placed a priority on reducing civilian casualties as a means of gaining support of the Afghan people . A number of recent high-profile incidents in which civilians have been killed have given the Taliban a propaganda tool against the coalition , U.S. officials said . McChrystal has instituted other rules to help minimize civilian deaths , including restricting the use of airstrikes in areas where there may be civilians , and limiting nighttime raids by U.S. forces .
Medal would honor troops for restraint that prevents civilian casualties in combat . Medal under review by the government in Afghanistan . United States has been criticized for airstrikes that targeted Afghan civilians .