GWOTEM & ICM can you have both?

Question

I was in Iraq from 1 APR 03 to 1 APR 04 with 2/2 CAV, when I got back I was "awarded" the Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOTEM) and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. (GWOTSM) Both were put on my ERB at that time... I haven't been deployed since I got back in 04 was checking my ERB the other day and now the Iraq Campaign Medal (ICM) appears on my ERB and my GWOTEM is gone... I didn't ask to switch the medals!!! I've already got the GWOTEM medal and my rack is set... whats up with that??? should I ditch my GWOTEM medal? if I go back to Iraq anytime soon I'll be eligible for the ICM then... can I wear both the GWOTEM and the ICM then? Crap... I gotta go get another DA PHOTO...

Answer 1

ben s, he's not making any of this up. The award you're thinking of is correctly termed a "Combat Infantryman Badge" aka CIB. If you were actually in the military and in the know, you wouldn't be so blatantly confused.

dlp1701: The answer to your question is really convoluted.

There's a MILPER message dated 17 MAR 2004 that says you can't get a GWOTEM for service in Afghanistan or Iraq. Hence, the cleanup of your ERB.

There's a cutoff date for this action: If you were deployed to Iraq between 19 MAR 2003 and 30 APR 2005, you can keep your GWOTEM.

Since you qualify for the cutoff, goto your unit S-1 and find someone with EMILPO access. Have them take off the ICM and put the GWOTEM back on. You actually do have a choice of one or the other, even though the ICM takes precedence. What probably happened is someone at BDE was doing a mass ERB cleanup and decided to "standardize" everything as reading ICM. You are, of course, still authorized the GWOTSM.

Now as for what you're actually authorized, I've heard conflicting reports that you're actually authorized an AEM for a second tour as well, as well as other such nonsense. You can get further guidance from the following sources:

(1) BN or BDE S-1
(2) MILPER messages
(3) [e-mail]

Good luck.

Answer 2

The reason that you saw the switch on your ERB is because the ICM carries a little more prowess. However, with only one tour, no; you cannot wear both. The EM is awarded once the combat tour has been initiated, and the ICM is awarded after so-many consecutive days in country. You sort of answered yourself though; if you do redeploy to Iraq you would then be able to wear both. Believe me, these have become a thorn to everyone, especially active duty.

For instance, I have been to Afghanistan twice, and Iraq twice....trying to figure out what I was supposed to wear for my DA photo was a bear.

Answer 3

the reason that you said the swap on your ERB is because the ICM includes a touch extra prowess. in spite of the undeniable fact that, with in basic terms one excursion, no; you may not placed on both. The EM is offered once the wrestle excursion has been initiated, and the ICM is offered after so-many consecutive days in u . s . a .. You type of responded your self regardless of the reality that; in case you do redeploy to Iraq you would possibly want to then be in a position to placed on both. trust me, those have develop right into a thorn to everybody, rather energetic duty. for instance, I easily were to Afghanistan two times, and Iraq two times....attempting to discern out what i develop into meant to placed on for my DA photo develop right into a undergo.

Answer 4

Are you sure your not making that up? My uncle came back from Iraq last spring and he told us he got an Infantry Combat Man's badge for participating in skirmishes and minor battles, but never mentioned a GWOTEM or a ICM