Posted on Oct 22, 2020
Do I qualify for the Forces Service Medal? Is the Global War on Terrorism Medal awarded automatically for everyone who is active duty?
11.7K
56
18
4
4
0
I read the requirements for the Forces Service Medal and I've been on 2 different 9 month rotations, one to Europe and one to Korea, according to what I read in the requirements, I qualify for the AFSM but I never received anything, also is Global War on Terrorism Medal awarded automatically for everyone who is active duty?
ASU
Ribbons
Promotions
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 5
5
5
0
There are two GWOT medals, the Expiditionary medal and the Service medal. The Service medal at one time was awarded to everyone who had a pulse. The Expedition medal is much more selective. As for the AFSM, if you qualify you won't receive anything except a notation on your SRB and DD214 afterwards
(5)
(0)
SPC (Join to see)
I don't qualify for the Expedition medal, however, upon reading the criteria and eligibility on the AR I do qualify to have the AFSM. I never received the OSR until I directly went to S1 tell them to put it on my SRB, would that be the same for the AFSM then?
(1)
(0)
SFC Michael Hasbun
SPC (Join to see) - you do NOT qualify for the AFSM. That medal is awarded for participation in specific campaigns. Your regular rotations are NOT named campaigns.
(3)
(0)
4
4
0
SPC (Join to see) You are ineligible for GWOTEM and the AFSM as explained by SFC (Join to see) and SFC Michael Hasbun. Review Para 2-22 of AR 600-8-22 for the KDSM.
(4)
(0)
SPC (Join to see)
LTC Jason Mackay I checked and personnel abroad deployed to specific geographical areas qualify for it and from the countries listed I was in 3 of the listed countries that qualified (Bulgaria, Hungary, Kosovo)
(2)
(0)
SFC Michael Hasbun
SPC (Join to see) - it's not enough to just be in a country, you have to be assigned to a UIC that is deployed/mobilized for support of a specific named exercise. BLUF: Your orders must say that you are there supporting a specific Operation mentioned on the list of approved operations I mentioned to qualify for the award.
(3)
(0)
LTC Jason Mackay
SPC (Join to see) that wasn’t info in your original post. Put together your documents and do a 4187
(0)
(0)
4
4
0
Are you asking about the Armed Forces Service Medal? That award is issued for participation in specific operations which have been authorized the Armed Forces Service Medal for that specific operation. It's not for rotational units doing their rotations.
It's functionally a placeholder campaign medal for operations that have not been deemed significant enough to warrant the creation of a new campaign medal.
Here are the ONLY operations authorized the AFSM.
It's functionally a placeholder campaign medal for operations that have not been deemed significant enough to warrant the creation of a new campaign medal.
Here are the ONLY operations authorized the AFSM.
(4)
(0)
CPL Brian Moseley
SFC Michael Hasbun So if I am reading this right, since I was a part of the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts (Operation Vigilant Relief), I am also eligible for the AFSM? If so, how do I go about getting my records updated since I am a Veteran and no longer on active duty?
(1)
(0)
SFC Michael Hasbun
CPL Brian Moseley -
If you feel you deserve a medal or award you were never authorized you may apply as a first-time recipient for that award to your military department's Awards Branch using form DD-149. You will also be required to submit military record documentation, eyewitness statements and other evidence confirming your eligibility for the medal or award you are applying for.
https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/benefits_book/benefits_chap15.asp#:~:text=Requests%20for%20replacement%20medals%2C%20decorations,in%20which%20the%20Veteran%20served.&text=Forms%2C%20addresses%2C%20and%20other%20information,%2Dlouis%2Fmilitary%2Dpersonnel.
If you feel you deserve a medal or award you were never authorized you may apply as a first-time recipient for that award to your military department's Awards Branch using form DD-149. You will also be required to submit military record documentation, eyewitness statements and other evidence confirming your eligibility for the medal or award you are applying for.
https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/benefits_book/benefits_chap15.asp#:~:text=Requests%20for%20replacement%20medals%2C%20decorations,in%20which%20the%20Veteran%20served.&text=Forms%2C%20addresses%2C%20and%20other%20information,%2Dlouis%2Fmilitary%2Dpersonnel.
The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.
(3)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google