Posted on Apr 14, 2016
With the approval of the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, should the President authorize the Armed Forces Service Medal for Atlantic Resolve?
35.4K
27
15
4
4
0
Deployment
Awards
Leadership
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 4
3
3
0
Currently in Europe for OAR. This mission has greatly increased. Any headway on the AFSM? I contacted HRC and they said it fits the criteria. At what point or approach can I get this published to my whole BDE as being awarded this?
(3)
(0)
Lt Col (Join to see)
It was pretty impressive to watch the response from my post in NATO from 2014-2016. Why this isn't in veteran's advocacy groups yet or lobbies is beyond me. As far as NATO requirements, they "could" issue a non-Article 5 but traditionally, this would be an out of area operation (http://www.nato.int/ims/docu/history_nato_medals.pdf) in theory, they could also issue an article 5, like they did for the defense of American airspace following 9/11. But that would be up to the SECGEN.
NATO - The page cannot be found
(3)
(0)
MSgt Jason McClish
Lt Col Hogan and SFC Kerry,
I'd like to hear what traction you two gain, if any, on anything moving forward. If something comes out from it, I'll pass that on Ronny commander, as our unit has sent dozens to support this operation and could update their service records accordingly. Under your advisement, is there something I should be doing to get this ball rolling? I'm willing to try to get my people potentially recognized, if it's the right course of action.
I'd like to hear what traction you two gain, if any, on anything moving forward. If something comes out from it, I'll pass that on Ronny commander, as our unit has sent dozens to support this operation and could update their service records accordingly. Under your advisement, is there something I should be doing to get this ball rolling? I'm willing to try to get my people potentially recognized, if it's the right course of action.
(1)
(0)
Lt Col (Join to see)
I wish I could get any traction, but other than making noise, not much I can do from a squadron level. Really we need to get the veteran's advocacy groups involved, that's where all the traction comes from in DC. That is how OIR got a medal and not just a service star on the GWOTE.
(1)
(0)
MSG (Join to see)
Was wondering if anyone heard any new info in regards to the AFSM and Operation Atlantic Resolve?
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
Absolutely shack on target. Atlantic Resolve has had thousands of airmen, sailors and soldiers attached to it and working on it and it meets the definition of the AFSM. Which states:
§ 578.34 Armed Forces Service Medal.
(a) Criteria. The Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM) was established by Executive Order 12985, January 11, 1996. It is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who, after June 1, 1992 meet the following criteria:
(1) Participate, or have participated, as members of U.S. military units, in a U.S. military operation that is deemed to be a significant activity; and
(2) Encounter no foreign armed opposition or imminent threat of hostile action.
(b) Eligibility requirements. To qualify for award of the AFSM service members must be bona fide members of a unit participating for one or more days in the operation within the designated area of eligibility, or meet one or more of the following criteria:
(1) Be engaged in direct support for 30 consecutive days in the area of eligibility (or for the full period when an operation is of less than 30 days duration) or for 60 nonconsecutive days provided this support involves entering the area of eligibility.
(2) Participate as a regularly assigned crew member of an aircraft flying into, out of, within, or over the area of eligibility in support of the operation.
(c) Qualifying operations. (1) The AFSM may be authorized for significant U.S. military activities for which no other U.S. campaign or service medal is appropriate, such as—
(i) Peacekeeping operations.
(ii) Prolonged humanitarian operations.
(2) The AFSM may be awarded for U.S. military operations in direct support of the United Nations (UN) or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and for operations of assistance to friendly foreign nations.
As far as it being a non-named operation, that's not true. http://www.defense.gov/News/Special-Reports/0514_Atlantic-Resolve
As far as it being a "Phase 0" Operation. That is also not true, it is a Phase 1 operation by JP 5.0 pg xxiv. With some Phase 2 elements.
The question remains, is this on the Chairman's radar?
§ 578.34 Armed Forces Service Medal.
(a) Criteria. The Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM) was established by Executive Order 12985, January 11, 1996. It is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who, after June 1, 1992 meet the following criteria:
(1) Participate, or have participated, as members of U.S. military units, in a U.S. military operation that is deemed to be a significant activity; and
(2) Encounter no foreign armed opposition or imminent threat of hostile action.
(b) Eligibility requirements. To qualify for award of the AFSM service members must be bona fide members of a unit participating for one or more days in the operation within the designated area of eligibility, or meet one or more of the following criteria:
(1) Be engaged in direct support for 30 consecutive days in the area of eligibility (or for the full period when an operation is of less than 30 days duration) or for 60 nonconsecutive days provided this support involves entering the area of eligibility.
(2) Participate as a regularly assigned crew member of an aircraft flying into, out of, within, or over the area of eligibility in support of the operation.
(c) Qualifying operations. (1) The AFSM may be authorized for significant U.S. military activities for which no other U.S. campaign or service medal is appropriate, such as—
(i) Peacekeeping operations.
(ii) Prolonged humanitarian operations.
(2) The AFSM may be awarded for U.S. military operations in direct support of the United Nations (UN) or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and for operations of assistance to friendly foreign nations.
As far as it being a non-named operation, that's not true. http://www.defense.gov/News/Special-Reports/0514_Atlantic-Resolve
As far as it being a "Phase 0" Operation. That is also not true, it is a Phase 1 operation by JP 5.0 pg xxiv. With some Phase 2 elements.
The question remains, is this on the Chairman's radar?
Special Report: Atlantic Resolve
Official website for U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
(1)
(0)
Lt Col (Join to see)
Here is the White House Fact Sheet on this Operation: https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/07/08/fact-sheet-us-assurance-and-deterrence-efforts-support-nato-allies
FACT SHEET: U.S. Assurance and Deterrence Efforts in Support of NATO Allies
In the last 18 months, the United States has taken several steps to assure our allies in Europe and demonstrate our continued commitment to NATO collective defense. Operation ATLANTIC RESOLVE (OAR) is a demonstration of our dedication to enduring peace and stability in the North Atlantic area, and it will remain in place as long as needed to reassure our allies and partners, and deter an increasingly bellicose Russia. Deterrence requires...
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Atlantic Resolve isn't a named operation, OIR is. Huge difference. AR is a continuous series of exercises running from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea to deter aggression and re-assure the Alliance. It's Phase 0 of a larger plan that would arguably be a named operation at time of crisis. Can't compare OIR to AR.
(1)
(0)
(0)
(0)
LTC (Join to see)
No, it's just a series of continuous exercises to re-assure our Allies and deter aggression. Phase 0 stuff.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google