Has anyone received a Joint Service Achievement Medal (JSAM)?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 15:37:34 -0400

If you have received a JSAM what did you do to receive this award? Do you have to be attached to a different branch or work with other countries to qualify for this award?

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2019 3:56 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 15:56:06 -0400

I have received a JMS, back when I worked for MNC-I. the main thing was being in a joint billet I had a Navy OIC, a Marine AOIC, a Army SFC as our NCOIC a Army Mobility Warrant, myself (SSG at the time) and a Air Force Tech SGT. The main thing was the joint billet. a Maine 1 star was the approving authority.

Response by SSG Dave Johnston made Aug 20 at 2019 3:56 PM

SSG Dave Johnston — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 15:56:17 -0400

I received mine for being assigned to MEPS in the mid '80's. I PCS'ed to the MFO for a year and was never awarded a JSAM for that assignment; don't ask because I've no idea as to why, no enlisted assigned to the MFO at that time had ever been awarded the Medal to my knowledge; and you're working with 13 different countries military personnel. The award ceremony took place at North Camp MFO, a month, month and a half after I'd arrived, man was there a bunch of PO'ed SM's when I received that award; it had to be explained to all present that my previous command had recommended the award and it was not for something I had done while assigned to the US Army LSU Saini, Egypt, later reflagged as the 1st US Army SPT BN, Saini, Egypt. I asked later and was told that the JSAM was not authorized for personnel assigned to the MFO.... ????

I really don't know why.

Response by TSgt David L. made Aug 20 at 2019 3:58 PM

TSgt David L. — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 15:58:23 -0400

Never got a JSAM but I got a JS Commendation Medal for my years as an instructor at the joint service EOD School. It HAS to be for joint service duty or achievement. I'm not sure if it has to be more than 2 services or if it has to be a formal situation or if just working with another service works. Other countries don't count as far as I know.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2019 4:09 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 16:09:18 -0400

Couple years ago you had to be in a position that was slotted as joint iot be eligible for any joint awards. Might have changed because there is a brand new awards AR.

Response by SGT Morrison (Mike) Hogwood made Aug 20 at 2019 4:09 PM

SGT Morrison (Mike) Hogwood — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 16:09:41 -0400

I received JSAM while stationed in Egypt as a part of Multinational Forces and Observers,there was aprox. 12 different Nations stationed there.

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Aug 20 at 2019 4:36 PM

MSgt Michael Smith — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 16:36:02 -0400

I got several, 3 I think. Most of the time I got them for deploying with joint forces, like ISAF, or in my case, Joint Guard.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Aug 20 at 2019 4:51 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 16:51:30 -0400

It's basically just an AAM from a Joint Command. Level of achievement is the same as that for an AAM. You just have to happen to be in a formally recognized joint command

Response by CH (LTC) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2019 5:08 PM

CH (LTC) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 17:08:37 -0400

You can receive one for after finishing a TOD at the MEPS.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2019 6:03 PM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 18:03:09 -0400

Yes, I got one for doing operations during Haitian Migration Task Force Gulf Bravo. I also got a Joint Service Com for Joint Operation in Pakistan after Earthquake. Also received a DMSM for Joint Task Force in Iraq, General wanted to put me in for Bronze Star, for getting blown up twice and Taking contact a couple times, but I turned it down, so I could get award in time for my Senior Chief board.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Aug 20 at 2019 6:03 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 18:03:19 -0400

Asked for one. Wanted my ARCOM downgraded to a JSAM (prettier ribbon to impress the chicks!). I was in an Army Detachment serving in a Joint facility - essentially had two chains of Command (administrative and operational). Det. OIC had choice of running award through either chain - both had award authority. OIC decided to run it through administrative chain - thus an Army award instead of a Joint one. *Le sigh*

The requirement is simply to be in a Joint situation where an award approving authority is sitting in a Joint billet, even if they are in the same branch.

My final deployment I did get a joint award DMSM) despite my recommender, Commander, and approving General all being in the Army - all were serving in Joint Billets, joint award was approved.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2019 6:23 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 18:23:29 -0400

You have to be on a joint manning document (JMD). Examples of such units include NATO, certain diplomatic assignments, some partner assignments. But just because you do stuff with partners or other services may not be enough. You don’t get JSAMs because you taught at the military intelligence school, or DLI even though there are foreign jobs and other jobs that are filled by sister services. That JMD is key.

Response by SMSgt Keith Klug made Aug 21 at 2019 11:47 AM

SMSgt Keith Klug — Wed, 21 Aug 2019 11:47:16 -0400

Got one for being involved in the refugee crisis in Albania and Kosovo, called Shining Hope, in May-Jun 1999. Was with the Provost Marshal's Office. Worked for a USAF Col and a Marine 1st Lt. Also, worked with the German Polizi and the 568th and 569th cops when President Clinton came over to see the operations.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2019 1:21 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Aug 2019 13:21:55 -0400

I got one as an end-of-tour award from Sugar Grove, which was an NSGA which later became a NIOC while I was there. We were a "joint" command because we had an Air Force detachment.

When I was attached to the 341st MI (Army), it wasn't considered a joint command and I got an ARCOM.

Response by MSgt Mike Vagle made Aug 22 at 2019 1:34 AM

MSgt Mike Vagle — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 01:34:42 -0400

Received a Joint Service Commendation Medal working for a Joint Task Force in Croatia. Party line was E-4 and below received a JSAM; E-5/6 JSCM, & E-7+ a JMSM just for completion of the tour. I was an E-4 doing the work of an E-6/7... at least it was recognized.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2020 2:02 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 02:02:22 -0400

In order to receive a Joint Service Medal, you generally have to be on a Joint Manning Document (JMD). There are ETPs, but simply working with or being part of a joint unit is generally not enough.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2021 5:48 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 17:48:52 -0500

I recently received a JSAM for assisting the Border Patrol and other individuals received a JSCOM

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2021 6:29 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 18:29:19 -0500

I was on a joint staff in Afghanistan when I got mine.

Response by CPT Daniel Rodriguez made Jan 22 at 2024 2:39 AM

CPT Daniel Rodriguez — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 02:39:46 -0500

I earned an ARCOM on a Joint Task Force working in El Salvador but I wish I would have been awarded the Joint Service Achievement Medal.