Armed Forces Service Medal

The Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM) was established by Executive Order 12985 on June 1, 1992, to recognize members of the U.S. Armed Forces who participate in designated operations that do not qualify for other campaign or service medals. It is awarded to recognize service members who were part of significant military operations but did not encounter foreign armed opposition or imminent threats of hostile action. ### Criteria and Eligibility To be eligible for the AFSM, service members must meet the following criteria: 1. **Participation**: Individuals must participate as members of U.S. military units in designated U.S. military operations recognized as significant activities. 2. **Deployment Duration**: Members must be permanently assigned, attached, or detailed to a unit that deployed for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days within the operational area defined by the operation. 3. **Aircrew Participation**: Aircrew members must participate as regularly assigned crew members on an aircraft involved in the operation for a similar duration. The AFSM is given for operations that may include peacekeeping missions, prolonged humanitarian operations, and military actions in direct support of the United Nations or NATO, among others. Importantly, it is not awarded for participation in national or international training exercises【4:0†source】【4:1†source】. ### Awarding Authority The authority to approve the AFSM has been delegated from the Secretary of Defense to the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. Commanding Officers who possess the authority to award the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal may also award the AFSM if eligibility criteria are met【4:1†source】. ### Award Elements The AFSM comes in the form of a medal and a corresponding ribbon. Importantly, no citation or certificate will be issued with the medal【4:3†source】. ### Subsequent Awards Only one award of the AFSM is authorized for each designated operation, regardless of the number of deployments made in support of that operation. Subsequent awards for participation in different designated operations are awarded with a bronze star on the ribbon. A silver star is worn in place of five bronze stars to indicate further awards【4:3†source】【4:0†source】. ### Notable Operations The AFSM has been authorized for various operations since its inception. A list of past operations approved for the AFSM includes significant military actions and humanitarian missions【4:0†source】. ### Important Considerations A distinction must be made between those eligible for the AFSM and those who qualify for the Humanitarian Service Medal (HSM). The HSM is awarded for immediate contributions to humanitarian actions, whereas the AFSM can be awarded for ongoing operations beyond the initial emergency【4:1†source】【4:3†source】. In summary, the Armed Forces Service Medal recognizes U.S. military personnel's contributions during significant operations where direct confrontation with hostile forces is not present, thereby helping to commemorate their service in various capacities while maintaining specific awarding criteria.