The Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM) stands as a distinguished accolade in the United States military awards system, created to recognize service members who participate in significant U.S. military operations, where they do not encounter foreign armed opposition or imminent hostile action. Established by Executive Order 12985, signed by President Bill Clinton on January 11, 1996, the AFSM fills a crucial gap in recognizing contributions to peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts.
What is the Armed Forces Service Medal?
Often considered the non-combat counterpart to the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM), the AFSM acknowledges deployments and operations that are deemed significant by the U.S. military but do not involve direct combat. This distinction is critical; the AFSM is specifically awarded for operations where U.S. forces are not facing armed adversaries. It’s a testament to the dedication and service of personnel involved in maintaining peace, providing humanitarian aid, and supporting stability in various regions worldwide.
Alt text: Close-up of the Armed Forces Service Medal and the NATO Medal ribbons, highlighting US military service awards for peacekeeping and humanitarian operations.
A key regulation of the Armed Forces Service Medal is its exclusivity. It is awarded only for operations for which no other U.S. service medal is approved. Furthermore, in operations involving solely Navy or Marine Corps personnel, the AFSM is awarded only if the Navy or Marine Corps expeditionary medals are deemed inappropriate. This ensures the AFSM remains a unique recognition for specific types of military service. Only one Armed Forces Service Medal is awarded per individual, but subsequent qualifying operations are denoted by bronze service stars added to the medal’s ribbon.
Eligibility Criteria for the Armed Forces Service Medal
To be eligible for the Armed Forces Service Medal, service members must be bona fide members of a unit participating in a qualifying operation for at least one day within the designated area of eligibility. Alternatively, individuals may qualify by meeting one of the following criteria:
- Direct Support: Engaging in direct support for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days within the area of eligibility, provided this support involves entering the designated area.
- Aircrew Participation: Serving as a regularly assigned crew member of an aircraft flying into, out of, within, or over the area of eligibility in support of the operation.
These criteria ensure that the medal is awarded to those who are genuinely contributing to the operation, whether directly on the ground or in a supporting role.
Examples of Operations Approved for the Armed Forces Service Medal
Several significant military operations have been approved for the award of the Armed Forces Service Medal, illustrating the scope of activities it recognizes. These include:
- Operation Provide Promise: Humanitarian relief efforts in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Operation Joint Endeavor & Operation Joint Guard: NATO-led peacekeeping missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Operation Able Sentry: Preventive deployment in North Macedonia.
- Operation Deny Flight: NATO enforcement of a no-fly zone over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Operation Maritime Monitor & Operation Sharp Guard: NATO monitoring and embargo operations in the Adriatic Sea.
(Note: These operations were specifically within the former Republic of Yugoslavia, Italy, and Hungary and the Adriatic Sea airspace north of 40 degrees north latitude from June 1, 1992, to a date yet to be determined.) - United Nations Mission in Haiti, U.S. Forces Haiti, and U.S. Support Group Haiti: Support and stabilization efforts in Haiti.
These examples demonstrate the Armed Forces Service Medal’s application across diverse operations, from humanitarian aid delivery to peacekeeping and stabilization missions, in regions experiencing conflict or instability.
Order of Precedence and Posthumous Award
In the established order of precedence for U.S. military decorations and awards, the Armed Forces Service Medal is positioned immediately before the Humanitarian Service Medal. This placement underscores its recognition of service in operations that often precede or support humanitarian efforts. The AFSM holds a significant place in the hierarchy of military awards, acknowledging contributions that, while not involving direct combat, are vital to U.S. foreign policy and international stability. Significantly, the Armed Forces Service Medal can be awarded posthumously, ensuring that even those who made the ultimate sacrifice in these non-combat operations are appropriately honored.
The NATO Medal and the Armed Forces Service Medal
Frequently seen alongside the Armed Forces Service Medal is the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Medal. The NATO Medal, created by NATO in 1994, is awarded under the authority of the NATO Secretary General. The U.S. Secretary of Defense accepted the NATO Medal in 1995 for operations related to the former Republic of Yugoslavia, often overlapping with operations qualifying for the AFSM.
Service members involved in operations in the former Yugoslavia between July 1, 1992, and a later termination date, could qualify for the NATO Medal with 30 days (continuous or accumulated) of service in the territory or airspace of the former Yugoslavia and the Adriatic Sea, or 90 days in direct support from adjacent areas. The area of eligibility for the NATO Medal was later expanded to include Italy, Greece, Hungary, and Austria. Crucially, the NATO Medal requires service under NATO command and control.
While U.S. service members may be awarded both the AFSM and the NATO Medal for the same operation, they are distinct awards. The NATO Medal is categorized as a foreign/international service medal, holding the same precedence as the United Nations Medal, and ranks immediately after it if both are earned. The NATO medal set might include a clasp indicating the specific operation (e.g., “Former Yugoslavia”), but U.S. personnel are authorized to wear only the basic medal and ribbon. Subsequent NATO operation awards are denoted by bronze service stars.
Conclusion
The Armed Forces Service Medal is a vital recognition of the broad spectrum of contributions made by U.S. military personnel in operations beyond direct combat. It honors the commitment and dedication of those serving in peacekeeping, humanitarian, and stabilization missions, highlighting the diverse ways in which the U.S. Armed Forces contribute to global security and stability. Understanding the criteria, history, and related awards like the NATO Medal provides a deeper appreciation for the significance of the Armed Forces Service Medal within the landscape of U.S. military honors.
