Army Medals?

Question

AFTER SERVING ONE YEAR IN IRAQ AS ARMY RESERVE WHAT MEDALS ARE YOU AUTHORIZED TO WEAR? WE ARE SERVING IN JOINT COMMAND.

our unit is a very small unit, only 13 people. our NCOIC doesn't know what we are eligable for. He told us to find out.

Answer 1

Either the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal or the Iraq Campaign Medal. You can be awarded both but only one per rotation. So if you go on one rotation and get the GWTEM then next time you go you can receive the Iraq Campaign medal. The rest depends on your service in Iraq and such.

The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOTEM) was established by Executive Order 13289 on 13 March 2003.
The GWOTEM will be awarded to recognize all members of the Armed Forces of the United States serving in or in support of Global War on Terrorism Operations, on or after 11 Sep 01 to a date to be determined.

Soldiers may receive both the GWOTEM and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (GWOTSM) if they meet the requirements of both awards; however, the same period of service establishing eligibility for one cannot be used to justify service eligibility for the other.

Initial award is limited to Soldiers deployed abroad in Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM in the following Department of Defense designated specific geographic areas of eligibility (AOE): Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bulgaria (Bourgas), Crete, Cyprus, Diego Garcia, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Romania (Constanta), Saudia Arabia, Somalia, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkey (east of 35 degrees east latitude), Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Yemen, that portion of the arabian sea north of 10 degrees north latitude and west of 68 degrees longitude, Bab El Mandeb, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Aqaba, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Suez, that portion of the Mediterranean Sea east of 28 degrees east longitude, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Strait of Hormuz, and Suez Canal.

To be eligible for the GWOTEM a Soldier must be assigned, attached or mobilized to a unit participating in designated operations for 30 consecutive days or for 60 nonconsecutive days in the AOE, or meet one of the following criteria:

- Be engaged in actual combat against the enemy and under circumstances involving grave danger of death or serious bodily injury from enemy action, regardless, of time in the AOE.

- While participating in the designated operation, regardless of time, is killed or wounded/injured requiring medical evacuation from the AOE.

- Soldiers participating as a regularly assigned air crew member flying sorties into, out of, within, or over the AOE in direct support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and/or IRAQI FREEDOM. Each day that one or more sorties are flown IAW the criteria shall count as one day towards the 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive day requirement.

Under no condition will any soldiers in the United States receive the GWOTEM. Only Soldiers serving in an operationally deployed status within the AOE are eligible for the GWOTEM.

Only one award of the GWOTEM may be authorized for any individual. A message will be transmitted at a later date by the Military Awards Branch to address battle stars/service stars.

Effective 30 April 2005, the GWOTEM is no longer authorized to be awarded for service in Afghanistan and/or Iraq. However, the GWOTEM is still authorized for service in the other geographical areas of eligibility.

Service members qualified for the GWOTEM by reasons of service between 24 October 2001 and 30 April 2005, in Afghanistan, shall remain qualified for the medal. Any such soldier may be awarded the Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM) in lieu of the GWOTEM for such service. Additionally, any such soldier authorized the arrowhead device may be awarded the ACM with arrowhead device in lieu of the GWOTEM with arrowhead device. No soldier shall be entitled to both medals for the same act, achievement or period of service.

Service members qualified for the GWOTEM by reasons of service between 19 March 2003 and 30 April 2005, in Iraq, shall remain qualified for the medal. Any such soldier may be awarded the Iraq Campaign Medal (ICM) in lieu of the GWOTEM for such service. Additionally, any such soldier authorized the arrowhead device may be awarded the ICM with arrowhead device in lieu of the GWOTEM with arrowhead device. No soldier shall be entitled to both medals for the same act, achievement or period of service.

Description: A bronze color metal disc 1 3/8 inches in diameter, charged with a shield adapted from the Great Seal of the United States surmounting two swords hilts to base saltirewise enclosed within a wreath of laurel; overall an eagle, wings displayed, grasping in its claws a serpent. On the reverse, the eagle, serpent and swords from the front of the medal with the encircling inscription 'WAR ON TERRORISM EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL.'

Symbolism: The shield and eagle represent the United States. The swords denote readiness and the resolve to fight international terrorism, which is symbolized by the serpent crushed in the eagle’s claws. The wreath denotes honor and achievement.

Medal, regular: NSN 8455-01-506-7144 (includes regular size medal and ribbon bar)

The Iraq Campaign Medal (ICM) was established by Public Law 108-234 on 28 May 2004 and Executive Order 13363 on 29 November 2004.
The ICM is authorized to be awarded to Soldiers who deploy to Iraq in direct support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF) on or after 19 March 2003 to a date to be determined or the cessation of OIF.

The area of eligiblity encompasses all land area of the country of Iraq and the contiguous water area out to 12 nautical miles, and all air spaces above the land area of Iraq and above the contiguous water area out to 12 nautical miles.

To be eligible for the ICM, a Soldier must be assigned or attached to a unit participating in OIF for 30 consecutive days or for 60 nonconsecutive days in Iraq or meet one of the following criteria:

- Be engaged in actual combat against the enemy and under circumstances involving grave danger of death or serious bodily injury from enemy action, regardless of the time in Iraq.

- While participating in OIF or on official duties, regardless of time, is killed or wounded/injured requireing medical evacuation from Iraq.

- While participating as a regularly assigned air crewmember flying sorties into, out of, within, or over Iraq in direct support of OIF; each day that one or more sorties are flown IAW the criteria shall count as one day towards the 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive day requirement.

Service members qualified for the GWOTEM by reasons of service between 19 March 2003 and 30 April 2005, in Iraq, shall remain qualified for the medal. Any such Soldier may be awarded the ICM in lieu of the GWOTEM for such service. Additionally, any such Soldier authorized the arrowhead device may be awarded the ICM with arrowhead device in lieu of the GWOTEM with arrowhead device. No Soldier shall be entitled to both medals for the same act, achievement, or period of service.

Only one award of the ICM may be authorized for any individual. Service stars are not prescribed.

The ICM may be awarded posthumously to any Soldier who lost his/her life while, or as a direct result of, participating in qualifying operations, without regard to length of such service, if otherwise eligible.

Description: On a bronze metal 1 3/8 inches in diameter the relief of Iraq, surmounted by two lines throughout, surmounting a palm wreath. Above is the inscription 'IRAQ CAMPAIGN.' On the reverse, the Statue of Freedom surmounting a sunburst, encircled by two scimitars points down crossed at tip of blades, all above the inscription 'FOR SERVICE IN IRAQ.'

Symbolism: The relief of Iraq represents the area of operation. The lines symbolize the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, recalling Iraq’s title as 'the land of two rivers.' The palm wreath denotes peace and honor. The Statue of Freedom represents the ideals and goals of the United States army to bring stability and improve the way of life for Iraq. The sunburst symbolizes hope and success. The two scimitars recall the swords erected by Sadam Hussein during his reign; the points down symbolize the goal for freedom of the Iraqi people, after the fall of Hussein. The ribbon reflects the colors of the Iraq flag. Green is the traditional color for Islam. Red honors the fighting courage for the pursuit of freedom. White denotes generosity and black exemplifies Islam’s success.

Medal, regular: NSN 8455-01-527-8023 (includes regular size medal and ribbon bar)



MILPER Message NR. 98-161

Answer 2

starting up again in the 80s anybody were given the nationwide protection medal for making it through recruit practise. It develop into very disconcerting to work out all of those ribbons on all of those boot camps. The militia expeditionary is for someone who's in an section which has been particular an section in damage's way. it might want to correctly be disignated as west asia, or the persian gulf specifully, or southeast asia. i have were given both and some extra.

Answer 3

More than likely you'll recieve an Iraq campain medal as the GWOT (and its other such medals) are now reserved for non-Iraq/Afganistan missions. You will probably recieve a reserve mobilization medal too. Possibly JSM's but that depends on your positions, etc.There are others, but I cannot tell you for certain. Ask the staff of the unit you are attatched to.

Answer 4

Tusker has the right answer, I just wanted to add that your NCOIC needs to get off his dead a** and do his damn job.

Answer 5

Ask your company clerk or your Bn. Personnel Staff NCO.

Answer 6

well, for sure the Iraq campaign medal.

Answer 7

The ones that are or will be awarded to you, until then - none.