The Quest For Recognition: Afghanistan Campaign Badge In Focus

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 for general distribution in June 2005. The medal is awarded to members of the US military who have performed duty within the borders of Afghanistan (or its airspace) for a period of thirty consecutive days or sixty non-consecutive days. The Afghanistan Campaign 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 medal was designed by the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry and is retroactive to October 24, 2001.

The Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM) is a US military award

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. Personnel who have engaged in combat or been wounded in combat within Afghanistan may receive the ACM regardless of the number of days spent in the country. The medal has also been awarded posthumously to service members who died in the line of duty in Afghanistan, including from non-combat injuries.

There are six approved campaign phases for the ACM: Liberation of Afghanistan, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation FREEDOM's SENTINEL, and Transition II. The ACM can be awarded with campaign stars, arrowhead devices, and the Fleet Marine Force Combat Operation Insignia for Navy personnel assigned to a Marine Corps unit in combat.

The ACM replaced 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 in Afghanistan, and any current service in the country will only be recognized with the ACM.

The ACM is one of several campaign medals that qualify for veterans' preference eligibility, which provides benefits for illnesses or diseases related to military service.

ACM is awarded to US military members who served in Afghanistan for 30+ days

The Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM) is a military award for members of the United States Armed Forces. It was established by President George W. Bush on November 29, 2004, with Executive Order 13363, and became available for general distribution in June 2005. The medal 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 Afghanistan's borders (or its airspace) for at least thirty consecutive days or sixty non-consecutive days. The award is retroactive to October 24, 2001, and was active until Operation Allies Refuge ended on August 31, 2021. Personnel who have engaged in combat or been wounded in Afghanistan may receive the ACM regardless of the time spent in the country. The medal can also be awarded posthumously to any service member who dies in the line of duty in Afghanistan, including from non-combat injuries.

The ACM recognises service in Afghanistan that would otherwise have been recognised by the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOT-EM). Personnel who previously received the GWOT-EM for service in Afghanistan may choose to exchange it for the ACM. It is not possible to receive both medals for the same period of service in Afghanistan, and any current service in the country will only be recognised with the ACM.

The ACM is one of several campaign medals that qualify US veterans for a 5-point preference. Others include the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, and the Iraq Campaign Medal (Operations Northern Watch, Desert Spring, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom).

The ACM was active from October 24, 2001, to August 31, 2021

The Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM) is a military award that was active from October 24, 2001, to August 31, 2021. 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 Afghanistan Campaign Medal is awarded to members of the United States military who have served within Afghanistan's borders (or its airspace) for at least thirty consecutive or sixty non-consecutive days. The ACM is retroactive to October 24, 2001, and was active until Operation Allies Refuge ended on August 31, 2021. Personnel who engaged in combat or were wounded in Afghanistan may receive the ACM regardless of the time spent in the country. The medal was also posthumously awarded to any service member who died in the line of duty in Afghanistan, including non-combat deaths.

The ACM replaced the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOT-EM) for service in Afghanistan. Personnel who previously received the GWOT-EM for service in Afghanistan could exchange it for the ACM. However, both medals could not be awarded for the same period of service in the country.

The approved campaign phases for the ACM include the Liberation of Afghanistan and Transition II. The ACM has corresponding ribbon devices that are authorized for wear, including campaign stars, arrowhead devices, and the Fleet Marine Force Combat Operation Insignia.

ACM replaces the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal for service in Afghanistan

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 at least 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 ACM is awarded retroactively from October 24, 2001, until the conclusion of Operation Allies Refuge on August 31, 2021. Personnel who have engaged in combat or been wounded in combat within Afghanistan may receive the ACM 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, including from non-combat injuries.

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 choose to exchange it for the ACM. It is important to note that 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.

The authorized campaigns for the ACM include:

• Enduring Freedom: September 11, 2001 - December 31, 2014
• Freedom's Sentinel: January 1, 2015 - to be determined
• Liberation of Afghanistan: September 1, 2001 - November 30, 2001
• Consolidation I: December 1, 2001 - September 30, 2006
• Consolidation II: October 1, 2006 - November 30, 2009
• Consolidation III: December 1, 2009 - June 30, 2011
• Transition I: July 1, 2011 - December 31, 2014
• Transition II: January 1, 2015 - to be determined

ACM is awarded posthumously to those who died in the line of duty in Afghanistan

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 ACM 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 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 ACM is awarded posthumously to any service member who died in the line of duty within Afghanistan, including from non-combat injuries such as accidents and mishaps. The medal honours those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country in a foreign land. It is a testament to their bravery and dedication to the mission, and their memory will be forever enshrined in the annals of military history.

The eligibility criteria for the ACM include serving in Afghanistan for thirty consecutive days or sixty non-consecutive days. However, those 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 in the country. This provision ensures that those who faced hostile action or made life-threatening sacrifices are recognized for their valour and commitment to their duties.

The ACM is a testament to the bravery and dedication of the men and women who served in Afghanistan, including those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Their service and sacrifice will forever be honoured and remembered through the bestowal of this prestigious award.

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