**The Bronze Star: A Symbol Of Honor On Afghanistan Service Ribbons**

The Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM) is a military award for members of the United States military who have served within the borders of Afghanistan (or its airspace) for a period of 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days. The medal is retroactive to 24 October 2001 and was active until the conclusion of Operation Allies Refuge on 31 August 2021. The Afghanistan Campaign Medal is accompanied by a ribbon, which may feature a bronze star service ribbon attachment. However, not all Afghanistan ribbons have a bronze star on them. The bronze star is a separate award, which is the fourth-highest combat award of the U.S. Armed Forces. The star on the Bronze Star is approximately 1-1/2 inches, while the service ribbon attachment is much smaller at 3/16th of an inch.

The Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM) is awarded to military personnel for serving active duty within Afghanistan's borders for 30 days consecutively or 60 days non-consecutively

The Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM) is a military award that recognises the service of members of the United States military who have served within the borders of Afghanistan (including its airspace) for a period of 30 consecutive days 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. The medal was designed by the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry.

The eligibility criteria for the ACM encompass all land and airspace within the country of Afghanistan. The period of eligibility for the ACM is from September 11, 2001, to a date to be determined in the future. The ACM is the only award authorised for service in Afghanistan from May 1, 2005. Prior to this date, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOTEM) was awarded instead. Service members who received the GWOTEM between September 11, 2001, and April 30, 2005, may choose to exchange it for the ACM. However, it is important to note that no service member will be entitled to receive both the ACM and the GWOTEM for the same period of service.

To be eligible for the ACM, service members must meet one of the following criteria:

• Serve in Afghanistan for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days.
• Be engaged in actual combat during an armed engagement, regardless of the time spent in the area of eligibility.
• Be wounded, killed, or injured and require medical evacuation from the area of eligibility while participating in an operation or on official duties. Non-combat medical evacuation meets this criterion.
• Participate as a regularly assigned aircrew member flying sorties into, out of, or over the area of eligibility in direct support of military operations. Each day that one or more sorties are flown counts as one day toward the 30 or 60-day requirement.

The ACM may be awarded posthumously to any service member who died in the line of duty within Afghanistan, including from non-combat injuries such as accidents or mishaps.

In addition to the ACM, service members may also be eligible for campaign stars, which denote participation in specific military campaigns or engagements. These are worn on the suspension and campaign ribbon of the ACM. The number of campaign stars received indicates the number of campaigns the soldier has participated in. It is important to note that bronze service stars are not authorised for periods when the GWOTEM was awarded instead of the ACM.

The ACM is also awarded to those who have engaged in combat or been wounded in combat with enemy forces, regardless of the number of days spent in Afghanistan

The Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM) is a military award for members of the United States Armed Forces. It was created by Executive Order 13363 of President George W. Bush on November 29, 2004, and became available in June 2005. The ACM is awarded to military personnel who have served active duty within the borders of Afghanistan (including its airspace) for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days. This award is retroactive to October 24, 2001, and was active until Operation Allies Refuge ended on August 31, 2021.

The focus of this discussion is on the criteria that states that the ACM is awarded to those who have engaged in combat or been wounded in combat with enemy forces, regardless of the number of days spent in Afghanistan. This criterion highlights that the duration of service is not the sole factor in awarding the ACM. The nature of an individual's service, particularly their involvement in combat, is also a critical factor.

The ACM specifically recognises those who have faced enemy forces in Afghanistan. This includes personnel who have been engaged in direct combat with the enemy, regardless of the duration of their deployment. This provision ensures that individuals who may have served fewer than 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days but have actively participated in combat operations are eligible for the ACM. It acknowledges the unique challenges and risks faced by those in direct combat situations.

Additionally, the ACM is awarded to those who have been wounded in combat with enemy forces, irrespective of the time spent in Afghanistan. This aspect underscores the medal's intent to honour those who have made sacrifices and endured physical hardships while engaged in military operations against enemy forces. The inclusion of non-combat injuries, such as accidents and mishaps, further emphasises the medal's recognition of the inherent dangers and challenges of serving in a combat zone.

The ACM's eligibility criteria, therefore, encompass a combination of factors, including the duration of service and the nature of an individual's experience in Afghanistan. By awarding the medal to those who have engaged in or been wounded in combat, regardless of the number of days spent in the country, the ACM acknowledges the bravery, dedication, and sacrifices of military personnel who have confronted enemy forces. This criterion ensures that the medal appropriately recognises those who have served in the demanding and perilous environment of combat operations in Afghanistan.

The medal is also awarded posthumously to any service member who died in the line of duty within Afghanistan, including from non-combat injuries

The Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM) is a military award for members of the United States military who have served within Afghanistan's borders (or its airspace) for at least 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days. The medal 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.

The ACM is 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. This includes non-combat medical evacuations. The medal recognises the sacrifice of those who have given their lives in service to their country, whether or not they were directly engaged in combat operations.

The ACM was established by Executive Order 13363 of President George W. Bush on November 29, 2004, and became available for general distribution in June 2005. The medal is retroactive to October 24, 2001, and was active until Operation Allies Refuge concluded on August 31, 2021. The design of the medal depicts a map of Afghanistan above a range of mountains, with the inscription "AFGHANISTAN CAMPAIGN" around the top. The reverse side features a radiating demi-sun superimposed by an eagle's head couped, with the inscription "FOR SERVICE IN AFGHANISTAN" enclosed by a laurel wreath.

The ACM is a testament to the service and sacrifice of U.S. military personnel in Afghanistan, and its posthumous awarding recognises the ultimate sacrifice made by those who lost their lives in the line of duty, regardless of the circumstances.

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

The Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM) is a military award of the United States Armed Forces. It was created by Executive Order 13363, signed by President George W. Bush on November 29, 2004, and became available for general distribution in June 2005. The ACM was designed by the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry.

The Afghanistan Campaign Medal is awarded to any member of the United States military who has served within the borders of Afghanistan (or its airspace) for a period of thirty consecutive days or sixty non-consecutive days. The medal is retroactive to October 24, 2001, and was active until the conclusion of Operation Allies Refuge on August 31, 2021. The medal is also awarded to those who have engaged in combat with enemy forces or have been wounded in combat within Afghanistan, regardless of the number of days spent in the country. In addition, the ACM is posthumously awarded to any service member who died in the line of duty within Afghanistan, including from non-combat injuries.

The ACM is authorised for wear on the Afghanistan Campaign Medal service ribbon. Under the guidance provided by the Army, one bronze service star should be worn on the suspension and campaign ribbon of the ACM to denote participation in each designated campaign. These bronze service stars, also known as campaign stars, battle stars, or engagement stars, indicate participation in a particular military campaign or engagement. It is important to distinguish between the Bronze Star and the bronze service stars, as the Bronze Star is the fourth-highest combat award of the U.S. Armed Forces.

The following ribbon devices are authorized to be worn on the ACM: Campaign stars, Arrowhead device, Fleet Marine Force Combat Operation Insignia, and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal

The Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM) is a military award for members of the US military who have served within the borders of Afghanistan (or its airspace) for at least 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days. The award is also given to those who have engaged in combat with an enemy force or have been wounded in combat within Afghanistan, regardless of the number of days spent in the country. The medal is also awarded posthumously to any service member who died in the line of duty in Afghanistan.

The ACM has specific ribbon devices that are authorized to be worn on the medal. These include:

• Campaign stars: Bronze Service Stars, also known as campaign stars, battle stars, or engagement stars, are worn on the suspension and campaign ribbon of the ACM to denote participation in a particular military campaign or engagement. Each star represents a specific campaign phase, and multiple stars indicate multiple campaigns or a particular length of time served.
• Arrowhead device: The Arrowhead device is a miniature bronze arrowhead that may be worn on the ACM to denote participation in an amphibious assault landing, combat parachute jump, helicopter assault landing, or combat glider landing. Only one arrowhead may be worn on the medal and service ribbon.
• Fleet Marine Force Combat Operation Insignia: This insignia is authorized for wear by Navy personnel assigned to a Marine Corps unit in combat.
• Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal: The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOT-EM) was previously awarded for service in Afghanistan before the introduction of the ACM. Service members who received the GWOT-EM for their service in Afghanistan may choose to exchange it for the ACM. However, both medals cannot be awarded for the same period of service in Afghanistan.

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