thedrifter
01-19-07, 12:58 PM
CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa (January 19, 2007) -- During recent visits to stateside installations, two top Marine leaders repeatedly fielded questions about whether or not star devices are authorized for wear on Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign Medals to mark multiple tours, Marine officials said recently.
Gen. James T. Conway, commandant of the Marine Corps, and Sgt. Maj. John L. Estrada, the sergeant major of the Marine Corps, are encouraging leaders to clarify the issue among Marines.
Marine Administrative Messages 172/05 and 173/05 address the wear of the Iraq Campaign Medal and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal respectively. Both messages state stars are not authorized for either medal.
Marine Administrative Message 172/05 for the Iraq Campaign Medal states Marines must have participated in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March 19, 2003. Iraq's area of eligibility encompasses all land and airspace within the country to include a contiguous water area out to 12 nautical miles.
Marines must be assigned, attached or mobilized to a unit operating in the area of eligibility for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days in order to receive the medal, with few exceptions.
MARADMIN 173/05 for the Afghanistan Campaign Medal states Marines must have participated in direct support of Operation Enduring Freedom since Oct. 24, 2001. Afghanistan's area of eligibility encompasses all land area and airspace within the country. Marines must be assigned, attached or mobilized to a unit operating in the area of eligibility for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days in order to receive the medals, with few exceptions as well.
Sgt. Maj. Robert E. Mastriano, the sergeant major of Marine Corps Bases Japan, said a Marine who deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan for the first time is authorized to wear the same award as a Marine who has deployed to the same campaign more than once.
"Marines want to be recognized for how many times they have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan," Mastriano said. "Currently, there is no provision that denotes subsequential tours to Iraq and Afghanistan."
For service stars to be a part of the Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign Medals for Marines, the Headquarters Marine Corps Military Awards Branch must approve the change, he said.
For more information about eligibility and requirements for the medals, visit www.usmc.mil and click on the MARADMINS link or contact their personnel and administration office.
Ellie
Gen. James T. Conway, commandant of the Marine Corps, and Sgt. Maj. John L. Estrada, the sergeant major of the Marine Corps, are encouraging leaders to clarify the issue among Marines.
Marine Administrative Messages 172/05 and 173/05 address the wear of the Iraq Campaign Medal and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal respectively. Both messages state stars are not authorized for either medal.
Marine Administrative Message 172/05 for the Iraq Campaign Medal states Marines must have participated in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March 19, 2003. Iraq's area of eligibility encompasses all land and airspace within the country to include a contiguous water area out to 12 nautical miles.
Marines must be assigned, attached or mobilized to a unit operating in the area of eligibility for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days in order to receive the medal, with few exceptions.
MARADMIN 173/05 for the Afghanistan Campaign Medal states Marines must have participated in direct support of Operation Enduring Freedom since Oct. 24, 2001. Afghanistan's area of eligibility encompasses all land area and airspace within the country. Marines must be assigned, attached or mobilized to a unit operating in the area of eligibility for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days in order to receive the medals, with few exceptions as well.
Sgt. Maj. Robert E. Mastriano, the sergeant major of Marine Corps Bases Japan, said a Marine who deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan for the first time is authorized to wear the same award as a Marine who has deployed to the same campaign more than once.
"Marines want to be recognized for how many times they have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan," Mastriano said. "Currently, there is no provision that denotes subsequential tours to Iraq and Afghanistan."
For service stars to be a part of the Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign Medals for Marines, the Headquarters Marine Corps Military Awards Branch must approve the change, he said.
For more information about eligibility and requirements for the medals, visit www.usmc.mil and click on the MARADMINS link or contact their personnel and administration office.
Ellie