Air Force Medals and Awards
Global War On Terrorism Service Medal

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Global War On Terrorism Service Medal

Global War On Terrorism Service Medal Ribbon

Global War On Terrorism Service Medal


 The Global War On Terrorism Service Medal (GWOT-S) is awarded to recognize the significant contributions of the members of the Armed Forces in support of the designated GWOT oprations.

 The GWOT-S is authorized for award to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who have participated in the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) operations outside of the designated AOE for the GWOT-E, ACM and ICM, on or after 11 September 2001 to a future date to be determined. Eligibility criteria are as follows:

 The Chief of Staff of the Air Force authorized the wearing of the GWOT-S for those members who either directly or indirectly supported the designated operations. Members must have participated in or served in support of the Global War on Terrorism-specified operations on or after 11 September 2001 and to a future date to be determined.

  On 19 July 2005, the CSAF approved the GWOT-S to be awarded to all Air Force accessions after 30 days following entry on Extended Active Duty (EAD).

The DoD approved operations for the GWOT-S are:

 1. Airport Security Operations (27 September 2001 - 31 May 2002)
 2. NOBLE EAGLE (11 September 2001 - TBD)
 3. OEF (11 September 2001 - TBD)
 4. OIF (19 March 2003 - 31 August 2010)
 5. OND (1 September 2010 - 31 December 2011)

 Service members must be assigned, attached, or mobilized to a unit participating in or serving in support of designated operations for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days, or meet one of the following criteria:
 1. Be engaged in actual combat against the enemy and under circumstances involving grave danger of death or serious bodily injury from enemy action, or
 2. While participating in the specified operation, regardless of time, is killed, wounded or injured requiring medical evacuation.

 Personnel supporting the Global War on Terrorism in a non-deployed status, whether stationed at home or overseas are eligible for the GWOT-S. Members in an accession status (i.e., USAF Cadets, ROTC, basic trainees, technical school trainees, and basic training graduates, etc.), or who are assigned to direct duty assignments are not authorized the GWOT-S until they have been assigned to the first permanent duty station, and served 30 consecutive/60 nonconsecutive days to their permanent unit of assignment.

 Authorized Device: None. Although qualifying circumstances would be extremely rare, campaign stars may be applicable for personnel who were engaged in actual combat against the enemy under circumstances involving grave danger of death or serious bodily injury from enemy action. Processing of campaign star requests will follow the same procedures as mentioned for the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.

Category of Award: DoD Campaign Medal

Established by: Executive Order 13289, March 12, 2003

Beginning Date: September 11, 2001

Ending Date: Future date to be determined

Authorized Device(s): None

References:
AFI 36-2803, The Air Force Military Awards and Decorations Program, Pages 188 and 189
AR 600-8-22, Army Regulation, Military Awards, Page 31
SECNAVINST 1650.1H, Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual, Page 4-30 to 4-33
COMDTINST M1650.25E, Coast Guard Military Medals and Awards Manual, Page 5-19 and 5-20


Page updated June 9, 2017