Global War on Terror Service Medal
We've had numerous questions on this one. Hopefully, this will clear them up once and for all.
The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is a military decoration of the United States military which was created by Executive Order 13289 of President George W. Bush on 12 March 2003. The decoration recognizes those military service members who have performed service in the War on Terrorism from September 11, 2001 to a date to be determined.
To be awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, a military service member must perform duty in a designated anti-terrorism operation for a period of either 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days of duty. For those who were engaged in combat, killed, or wounded in the line of the duty the time requirement is waived.
The medal is also awarded to personnel who perform support duty of an anti-terrorism operation but do not directly participate. The phrase "support" is defined as any administrative, logistics, planning, operational, technical, or readiness activity which provides support to an operation of the Global War on Terrorism. As of 2005, this blanket term has effectively awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal to most personnel of the United States armed forces who performed service after September of 2001.
The initial authorized operation for the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal was the so called "Airport Security Operation" which occurred between September 27, 2001 and May 31, 2002. Additional operations, for which the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is authorized, include the active military campaigns of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Noble Eagle, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Future operations are at the discretion of United States component commanders upon approval from the United States Department of Defense.
Only one award of this medal may be authorized for any individual; therefore, no service stars are prescribed.
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So. While some would think this is very clear, there have been repeated questions and comments, mostly from new Marines, about getting awarded this medal. The key words in this order are "30 consecutive days" and "Support". (Or designated anti-terrorist for those totin weapons).
Recruit Training? No.
SOI? No.
MOS School? No.
None of those will/would qualify, because, simply put, none of them are 'supporting' the War on Terror. While the Marine is on active duty for those things, it's all training related.
You don't 'rate' the medal until you have 30 days supporting the War. That means the Fleet Marine Forces, or your next duty station after MOS school.
In order of precedence, the GWOTSM (pronounced "GeeWOtSeM") comes after the National Defense Medal.
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