Establishing the Armed Forces Service Medal

This executive order establishes the Armed Forces Service Medal, a new military decoration for U.S. service members who participate in significant military operations where no foreign armed opposition or imminent hostile action is encountered. The medal applies retroactively to operations on or after June 1, 1992, and is placed in precedence immediately before the Humanitarian Service Medal.

Federal Register Open PDF 61 FR 1209

Impact dates

Date TBD
Medal design approval by Secretary of Defense
Date TBD
Uniform regulations prescribed by Secretary of Defense

Key directives

Establish Armed Forces Service Medal with ribbons and appurtenances
Award to members participating in significant U.S. military operations on or after June 1, 1992, with no foreign armed opposition or imminent hostile action
Secretary of Defense to approve appropriate design
Award by Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Transportation (for non-Navy Coast Guard operations)
Place medal in order of precedence immediately before Humanitarian Service Medal
Award only when no other U.S. service medal is approved for the operation
Limit one medal per person with devices for subsequent qualifying operations
Permit posthumous awards

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Medal establishment takes effect upon signing

Near term (90d)

Secretary of Defense to approve medal design
Uniform regulations to be prescribed establishing precedence

Long term

Retroactive awards for qualifying operations back to June 1, 1992
Ongoing eligibility for future qualifying operations

Risks & tensions

Retroactive eligibility to June 1, 1992 may create administrative burden for record verification
Vague 'significant activity' standard delegated to Joint Chiefs of Staff discretion without further definition
Coast Guard dual authority (Defense vs. Transportation) creates potential coordination complexity
Criteria for 'no other suitable award available' in single-department operations leaves ambiguity