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Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM)

 The Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM) is awarded to recognize service members who serve or have served in the country of Afghanistan in support of OEF. The area of eligibility encompasses all land and air space of the country of Afghanistan. The ACM period of eligibility is on or after 11 September 2001 to a future date to be determined by the SECDEF.

 Members who received the GWOT-E by reasons of service between 11 September 2001 and 30 April 2005, in an area for which the ACM was subsequently authorized, shall remain eligible for the GWOT-E or may exchange the GWOT-E for the ACM. No service member will be entitled to award of both the ACM and the GWOT-E for the same action, achievement, or period of service.

Service members must have been assigned, attached, or mobilized to units operating in the area of eligibility for 30 consecutive days or for 60 non-consecutive days or meet one of the following criteria:
 1. Be engaged in combat during an armed engagement, regardless of the time in the area of eligibility,
 2. While participating in an operation or on official duties, is wounded or injured and requires medical evacuation from the area of eligibility. The ACM may be awarded posthumously.

 Aircrew members accrue one day of eligibility for each day they fly into, out of, within, or over the area of eligibility in direct support of the military operation.

 Under no condition shall personnel or units receive the ACM, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, or the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal for the same action, time, or period of service. Airmen who forward deploy to units within the AOE may be considered for additional campaign awards on a case by case basis providing the member meets the minimum award criteria.

Authorized Device:
 1. The campaign star is a bronze or silver five-pointed star, 3/16 inch in diameter. A silver campaign star is worn instead of five bronze campaign stars. One bronze campaign star shall be worn on the suspension and campaign ribbon of the ACM for one or more days of participation in each designated campaign phase. Designated ACM campaign phases and inclusive periods are listed below in Table 6.8.
 2. An Arrowhead Device is authorized to denote participation in a combat parachute jump, helicopter assault landing, combat glider landing, or amphibious assault landing, while assigned or attached as a member of an organized force carrying out an assigned tactical mission.

Afghanistan Campaign Medal Designated Campaign Phases and Dates:
 Liberation of Afghanistan 11 September 2001 - 30 November 2001
 Consolidation I 1 December 2001 - 30 September 2006
 Consolidation II 1 October 2006 - TBD

Category of Award: DoD Campaign Medal

Established by: Public Law 108-234, May 28, 2004, and Executive Order 13363, November 29, 2004

Beginning Date: September 11, 2001

Ending Date: Future date to be determined

Authorized Device(s): Campaign Stars, Arrowhead Device

References:
AFI 36-2803, The Air Force Military Awards and Decorations Program, Pages 183 and 184
AR 600-8-22, Army Regulation, Military Awards, Page 29
SECNAVINST 1650.1H, Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual, Page 4-24 to 4-26
COMDTINST M1650.25E, Coast Guard Military Medals and Awards Manual, Pages 5-13 and 5-14

Page updated June 9, 2017

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