Omari Gates
The Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM) and the Iraq Campaign Medal (ICM) are military awards of the United States Armed Forces. Both medals were created by Executive Order 13363 of President George W. Bush on November 29, 2004, and became available for general distribution in June 2005. The Afghanistan Campaign Medal is awarded to any member of the United States military who has performed duty within the borders of Afghanistan (or its airspace) for a period of thirty consecutive or sixty non-consecutive days. Similarly, the Iraq Campaign Medal is awarded to any member of the U.S. military who performed duty within the borders of Iraq (or its territorial waters) for the same duration.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan Campaign Medal | Awarded to any member of the U.S. military who has performed duty within the borders of Afghanistan (or its airspace) for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days. |
| Awarded to personnel who have been engaged in combat with an enemy force, or personnel who have been wounded in combat within Afghanistan, regardless of the number of days spent within the country. | |
| Awarded posthumously to any service member who died in the line of duty within Afghanistan, including from non-combat injuries. | |
| Replaced the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOT-EM) for service in Afghanistan. | |
| Iraq Campaign Medal | Awarded to any member of the U.S. military who performed duty within the borders of Iraq (or its territorial waters) for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days. |
| Awarded to personnel who engaged in combat with an enemy force, or personnel wounded in combat or wounded as a result of a terrorist attack within Iraq, regardless of the number of days spent within the country. | |
| Awarded posthumously to any service member who died in the line of duty within Iraq, including from non-combat injuries. | |
| Replaced the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOT-EM) for service in Iraq from 19 March 2003 through 30 April 2005. |
What You'll Learn
Criteria for receiving the Afghanistan Campaign Medal
The Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM) is a military award created by Executive Order 13363 of President George W. Bush on November 29, 2004, and became available for general distribution in June 2005. The medal was designed by the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry.
The ACM is awarded to any member of the United States military who has performed active duty within the borders of Afghanistan (or its airspace) for a period of thirty consecutive days or sixty non-consecutive days. The award is retroactive to October 24, 2001, and was active until the conclusion of Operation Allies Refuge on August 31, 2021. Personnel who have engaged in combat with an enemy force or have been wounded in combat within Afghanistan may receive the ACM regardless of the number of days spent within the country. The medal is also awarded posthumously to any service member who dies in the line of duty within Afghanistan, including from non-combat injuries such as accidents and mishaps.
The ACM has several approved campaign phases and respective dates, including the Liberation of Afghanistan, Enduring Freedom, Freedom's Sentinel, Consolidation I, Consolidation II, Consolidation III, Transition I, and Transition II. Each phase has its own authorized campaign star, and soldiers who participated in more than one phase are entitled to a bronze service star for each campaign.
The ACM replaces the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOT-EM) for service in Afghanistan. Personnel who previously received the GWOT-EM for Afghanistan service may elect to exchange it for the ACM. However, both medals cannot be received for the same period of service, and any current Afghanistan service will only be recognized with the ACM.
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Criteria for receiving the Iraq Campaign Medal
The Iraq Campaign Medal (ICM) is a military award created by Executive Order 13363 of U.S. President George W. Bush on November 29, 2004, and became available for general distribution in June 2005. The medal was awarded to any member of the U.S. military who performed duty within the borders of Iraq (or its territorial waters) for a period of thirty consecutive days or sixty non-consecutive days.
The criteria for receiving the Iraq Campaign Medal are as follows:
- Service members must have been assigned, attached, or mobilized to units operating within the borders of Iraq or its territorial waters for thirty consecutive days or sixty non-consecutive days. This includes service in Iraqi airspace.
- Personnel who engaged in combat with an enemy force, regardless of the time spent in the area of eligibility.
- Personnel wounded in combat or injured during an operation or on official duties, requiring medical evacuation from Iraq, are also eligible, regardless of the number of days spent in the country.
- Air crewmembers flying sorties into, out of, or over Iraq in direct support of military operations are eligible for one day of eligibility for each day of operations.
- The medal may be awarded posthumously to any service member who died in the line of duty within Iraq, including from non-combat injuries.
The Iraq Campaign Medal replaced the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOT-EM) for service in Iraq from March 19, 2003, through April 30, 2005. Service members who qualified for the GWOT-EM during this period could choose to exchange it for the Iraq Campaign Medal.
The medal was awarded retroactively from March 19, 2003, until the end of Operation New Dawn on December 31, 2011. On April 23, 2012, an order was issued to terminate the awarding of the Iraq Campaign Medal, effective from the end date of Operation New Dawn.
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The design of the Afghanistan Campaign Medal
The Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM) is a military award created by Executive Order 13363 by President George W. Bush on November 29, 2004, and its design was the work of the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry. The medal is awarded to any member of the U.S. military who has served within the borders of Afghanistan (or its airspace) for at least 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days. The ACM is also awarded to those who have engaged in combat or been wounded in combat within Afghanistan, regardless of the number of days spent in the country.
On the reverse side of the medal, there is a radiating demi-sun superimposed by an eagle's head. Inscribed across the bottom half are the words "FOR SERVICE", "IN", and "AFGHANISTAN", all enclosed by a laurel wreath. The eagle is a symbol of the United States and its vigilance in defending freedom. The rising sun represents a new beginning for Afghanistan and its path towards a free and prosperous future. The laurel wreath symbolises honour and high achievement.
The ribbon of the Afghanistan Campaign Medal reflects the colours of the new Afghanistan flag, with red, white, and blue representing the United States and its allies. The specific colours of the ribbon are emerald, scarlet, black, white, scarlet, and Old Glory blue.
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The design of the Iraq Campaign Medal
The Iraq Campaign Medal (ICM) is a military award designed by the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry and awarded to any member of the U.S. military who served in Iraq between March 19, 2003, and December 31, 2011. The medal is bronze in appearance and 1 1/4 inches (32 mm) in diameter. The design on the obverse side of the medal depicts a north-oriented relief of the map of Iraq, with two lines representing the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, surmounted by a palm wreath. The inscription "IRAQ CAMPAIGN" appears above the map.
The reverse side of the medal features the Statue of Freedom, which represents the ideals and goals of the campaign to bring stability and improve the quality of life for Iraq. The statue surmounts a sunburst, symbolising hope and success, and is encircled by two crossed scimitars, recalling an arch of swords erected by Saddam Hussein during his reign. The downward-pointing scimitars symbolise the fall of Hussein and the goal of freedom for the Iraqi people. The inscription "FOR SERVICE IN IRAQ" appears below the statue.
The ribbon of the medal is 1 3/8 inches (35 mm) wide and features stripes in the colours of the Iraqi flag: scarlet, green, white, black, and chamois (a tan colour). The colours of the ribbon have symbolic meanings: green represents the traditional colour of Islam, red honours the fighting courage in the pursuit of freedom, white denotes generosity, black exemplifies Islam's success, and chamois represents the sands of Mesopotamia.
The Iraq Campaign Medal was awarded to service members who served within the borders of Iraq or its territorial waters for a period of 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days. Those who engaged in combat, were wounded in combat, or were injured as a result of a terrorist attack within Iraq received the medal regardless of the number of days spent in the country. Aerial crew members participating in missions into, out of, or over Iraq established a single day of eligibility for each day of aerial missions.
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The replacement of the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with the Afghanistan Campaign Medal
The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOT-EM) was created by Executive Order 13289 of President George W. Bush on March 12, 2003, to recognize the service of military members who have deployed overseas in direct service of the War on Terror. The medal was designed by John Sproston of the Army's Institute of Heraldry and is made of bronze, featuring the eagle insignia.
The GWOT-EM recognizes troops who deployed overseas in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan but did not put boots on the ground in either country. This included pilots and sailors providing support from surrounding land and sea areas. To be eligible for the medal, service members must have served in a deployed status for at least 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days within an authorized anti-terrorism operation. This time requirement is waived for those who engaged in combat or were wounded or killed in the line of duty.
With the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan now over, the GWOT-EM has been replaced by country-specific medals: the Iraq Campaign Medal (ICM) and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM). The ACM was created by Executive Order 13363 of President George W. Bush on November 29, 2004, and became available for general distribution in June 2005. It is awarded to any member of the U.S. military who has performed duty within the borders of Afghanistan (or its airspace) for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days. This requirement is also waived for those who engaged in combat or were wounded or killed in the line of duty. The ACM is retroactive to October 24, 2001, and was active until the conclusion of Operation Allies Refuge on August 31, 2021.
Personnel who previously received the GWOT-EM for Afghanistan service may choose to exchange it for the ACM. However, both medals cannot be received for the same period of service in Afghanistan, and any current Afghanistan service will only be recognized with the ACM.
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Frequently asked questions
The Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM) is a military award given to members of the United States military who have performed duty within the borders of Afghanistan or its airspace for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days. The ACM was created by Executive Order 13363 of President George W. Bush on November 29, 2004, and became available for general distribution in June 2005.
Any member of the United States military who meets the service duration criteria is eligible for the ACM. Personnel who have engaged in combat or have been wounded in combat within Afghanistan may receive the ACM regardless of the number of days spent in the country. The medal can also be awarded posthumously to any service member who died in the line of duty within Afghanistan, including from non-combat injuries.
The Iraq Campaign Medal (ICM) is a military award given to members of the United States military who served during the Iraq War, from March 19, 2003, to December 31, 2011. The medal was created by Executive Order 13363 of President George W. Bush on November 29, 2004, and became available in June 2005.
Any member of the U.S. military who served within the borders of Iraq or its territorial waters for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days is eligible for the ICM. Personnel who engaged in combat or were wounded in combat or as a result of a terrorist attack within Iraq may receive the medal regardless of the number of days spent in the country. The medal can also be awarded posthumously to any service member who died in the line of duty within Iraq, including from non-combat injuries.
Yes, an individual can receive both the ACM and the ICM if they meet the eligibility criteria for both medals. However, it is important to note that the medals recognize service in different countries (Afghanistan and Iraq, respectively) and are not awarded for the same period of service.
