USAF>USMC Transferable Awards
Ladies and Gentlemen, **** MARINES ****
I am new to the Marine Corps. I just transferred over from the Air Force a few short months ago. I am currently in aircrew school. I am trying to get some of my ribbons transferred over, and I understand that most of them won’t transfer, but there are a few that will. I would like some input from someone who is really familiar with awards, the orders that go with them. While I was deployed to Afghanistan, I was awarded an Air Force Combat Action Medal (for an IED strike to my vehicle), and I was also awarded an Army Achievement Medal. These two awards are what are causing so much confusion. I will address the Air Force Combat Action first.
So, to start let’s check this out:
MCO P1020.34G W CH 1-5 MARINE CORPS UNIFORM REGULATIONS
“3. Marines who served in or were attached to another branch of the U.S. military services and received a decoration, unit award, or service award of comparable criteria to one issued by the naval service may wear the award on Marine Corps uniforms, unless otherwise prohibited by these regulations.”
So, continuing on, let’s check out each order for both the Marine CAR and the AFCAM…
MARADMIN 038/13-REVISED ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR AWARD OF THE COMBAT ACTION RIBBON (CAR) AND UPDATED COORDINATING INSTRUCTIONS
“(2) THE PRINCIPAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERION IS THAT ON THE DATE/S OF ACTION THE INDIVIDUAL MUST HAVE RENDERED SATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE UNDER ENEMY FIRE WHILE ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING IN A GROUND OR SURFACE ENGAGEMENT. THE FOLLOWING AMPLIFYING GUIDANCE IS PROVIDED:
(A) AS APPLIED TO IEDS, MINES, AND SCATTERABLE MUNITION, WITH OR WITHOUT THE IMMEDIATE PRESENCE OF ENEMY FORCES, THE FOLLOWING CONSTITUTE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN A GROUND OR SURFACE ENGAGEMENT:
(I) DIRECT EXPOSURE TO THE DETONATION OF AN IED, MINE, OR SCATTERABLE MUNITION USED BY AN ENEMY.”
Now, let’s compare this to the AFI that governs the AFCAM…
AFI36-2803 5.3. Air Force Service Medals and Achievement Awards.
5.3.1. Air Force Combat Action Medal (AFCAM)
“5.3.1.2. Criteria: Nomination for the award of the AFCAM will be restricted to members of the US Armed Forces who on or after 11 September 2001:
5.3.1.2.1. Deliberately go into the enemy’s domain (outside the wire) to conduct official duties, either on the ground or in the air, and have come under enemy fire by lethal weapons while performing those duties, and are at risk of grave danger;”
So, based on these two orders, the criteria sounds very similar. One would assume the two awards would transfer fairly easily, especially since I was awarded the combat action medal from an IED strike.
As I was reading MARADMIN 038/13 which is what I posted above, I also came across this:
“(6) FOR PERSONNEL WHO PREVIOUSLY EARNED THE CAB OR CAM AS MEMBERS OF THE U.S. ARMY OR U.S. AIR FORCE:
(A) MARINES ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO WEAR THE CAR IN PLACE OF THE CAB OR CAM UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.”
So, I think this is where a lot of confusion comes in. So, my question is, can the AFCAM that I was awarded for an IED strike, transfer over to a CAR?
Now, moving on to the Army Achievement Medal (AAM). I have been told multiple times that since the AAM is a personal award, that Marines are authorized to wear them. Would this be covered under one of these?
MCO P1020.34G W CH 1-5 MARINE CORPS UNIFORM REGULATIONS
“2. Marines who receive awards from other services, or departments of the United States Government; or from foreign governments or other agencies may wear such awards on the Marine Corps uniform only as authorized herein.
3. Marines who served in or were attached to another branch of the U.S. military services and received a decoration, unit award, or service award of comparable criteria to one issued by the naval service may wear the award on Marine Corps uniforms, unless otherwise prohibited by these regulations.”
The AAM is not specifically mentioned in the MCO P1020.34G, so I am not sure if it is authorized or prohibited. If anyone could provide guidance on this, that would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for any information that can be provided.