Does Emergency State Active Duty (ESAD) during Civil Unrest and Protest qualify Guardsman to receive the AFSM?

As MSG (Join to see) stated, no on the AFSM.

States usually have a state emergency service ribbon that you would be eligible for though.

Per AR 600-8-22, Section 2-23 (to include Table 2-6), ESAD does not qualify for AFSM

When I was activated for COVID under ESAD, I was authorized a state award, which was a SAD Ribbon which was funny because people were sad. SAD orders are... Limited on the pay, sustenance, and housing.

We also had some guys activated for civil unrest, I believe they received the SAD Ribbon as well, but again that's a state award so limited to the National Guard in most instances and then non-wearable by those on on Active / T10 but I'd have to confirm that with the reg.

When COVID shifted to T32 and a DOD memo came out we were then authorized the AFSM and HSM, most got the AFSM. This DOD memo was in addition to AR 600-8-22, 2-23, Table 2-6 which is a list of authorized operations that the AFSM is awarded for.

So ultimately I'd have to say no, not authorized under ESAD. I would recommend sir that you consider appropriate EOT awards for such a mission and gather the metrics to put people in for what they may have earned. Get those 638's ready to role and also keep an eye out for any DOD memos if they might apply to your mission down the road, you never know.