The medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces who, as a unit, participate in a United States military operation deemed to be a significant activity and who encounter no foreign armed opposition or imminent hostile action. In many respects, this provision makes the award a non-combat parallel of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

The medal shall be awarded only for operations for which no other United States service medal is approved. For operations in which only personnel of the Navy or Marine Corps participate, the medal shall be awarded only if the Navy or Marine Corps expeditionary medals are deemed inappropriate. No more than one medal shall be awarded to any one person, but for each succeeding operation justifying such award, a bronze service star shall be added to the suspension ribbon and ribbon bar.

Regulations place the Armed Forces Service Medal in an order of precedence immediately before the Humanitarian Service Medal. The medal may be awarded posthumously.

These are representative operations approved to date for award of the Armed Forces Service Medal:

MARITIME MONITOR - NATO maritime surveillance of cargo transported through the Adriatic Sea to the former Yugoslavia. 1 Jun 1992 - 1 Dec 1992

PROVIDE PROMISE - Multinational operation to support humanitarian relief activities in Bosnia-Herzegovina. 2 Jun 1992 - 15 Feb 1996

DENY FLIGHT - NATO enforcement of the no-fly zone over Bosnia-Herzegovina. 12 Apr 1993 - 2 Dec 1995

SHARP GUARD - NATO maritime enforcement of UN embargo against the former Yugoslavia. U.S. participation was amended by the November 94 Nunn-Mitchell Act to exclude U.S. enforcement of the arms embargo against Bosnia. NATO enforcement actions ended in June 1996 and the operation was terminated in September 1996, following the lifting of the UN embargo and associated economic sanctions. 15 Jun 1993 - 20 Sep 1996

Task Force Able Sentry - Support to the UN Preventive Deployment force in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Upon expiration of the UN mandate in February 1999, U.S. forces remained in place and were renamed Task Force Sabre, tasked to protect U.S. facilities and equipment. They were relieved in June 1999 by the U.S. national support element to KFOR-Task Force Falcon (Rear). 12 Jul 1993 - 31 Mar 1999

UPHOLD DECOMCRACY: 1) United Nations Mission Haiti; 2) U.S. Forces Hati; and 3) U.S. Support Group Haiti 1 Apr 1995 - 31 Jan 2000

JOINT ENDEAVOR - NATO Implementation Force operation to implement the military aspects of the Dayton Peace Agreement in Bosnia-Herzegovina. 20 Nov 1995 - 19 Dec 1996

PROVIDE COMFORT - Combined Task Force to enforce the no-fly zone in northern Iraq above the 36th parallel and to support coalition humanitarian relief operations in northern Iraq. 1 Dec 1995 - 31 Dec 1996

JOINT GUARD - NATO Stabilization Force (SFOR) to deter resumption of hostilities and to stabilize the peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina in accordance with the Dayton Peace Accords (preceded by NATO Operation JOINT ENDEAVOR and followed by JOINT FORGE). Operations DELIBERATE GUARD and DETERMINED GUARD were the respective air and naval components 20 Dec 1996 - 20 Jun 1998

JOINT FORGE - NATO SFOR follow-on force (FOF) providing a continued military presence to deter resumption of hostilities in Bosnia-Herzegovina and to contribute to a secure environment that will promote the re-establishment of civil authority in accordance with the Dayton Peace Accords. Operations DELIBERATE FORGE and DETERMINED FORGE are the respective air and naval components. The U.S. contribution to SFOR was Task Force Eagle. 21 Jun 1998 - 2 Dec 2004

Hurricane Relief - Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. 27 Aug 2005 - 27 Feb 2006

JUMP START - National Guard forces deployed to Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California to assist the Department of Homeland Security with securing the southwest U.S. border. 15 May 2006 - 15 Jul 2008

UNIFIED RESPONSE - Service members deployed to provide relief assistance to the people of Haiti following a 7.0 magnitude earthquake on 12 Jan 2010. 14 Jan 2010 - 1 Jun 2010

UNITED ASSISTANCE (Ebola relief) - Service members deployed to the land area, territorial waters out to 12 nautical miles, and air space of: Benin, Cameroon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sierra Leone. 16 Sep 2014 - 30 Jun 2015

OAKEN STEEL - Service members deployed to the land area, territorial waters out to 12 nautical miles, and the air space of: South Sudan, Republic of Djibouti, and Uganda. 12 Jul 2016 - 26 Jan 2017

Assisting Border Protection and Customs on Mexican Border -- 20 August 2019 - TBD

(The above Operations must be within the total land area and air space of the former Republic of Yugoslavia, Italy, and Hungary and the air space above that portion of the Adriatic Sea that lies north of 40 degrees north latitude from 1 June 1992 to a date to be determined.) Also, service with the United Nations Mission in Haiti, U.S. Forces Haiti and U.S. Support Group Haiti is qualifying service for the Armed Forces Service Medal.

To qualify for the medal, service members must be bonafide members of a unit participating for one or more days in the operation within the designated areas of eligibility, or meet one or more of the following criteria:

(1) Be engaged in direct support for 30 consecutive days in the area of eligibility or for 60 non-consecutive days provided this support involves entering the area of eligibility.

(2) participate 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.

The Armed Forces Service Medal is an individual theater award awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who, after 1 June 1992, have participated in a U.S. military operation deemed to be a significant activity encountering no foreign armed opposition or imminent threat of hostile action.

The AFSM provides recognition to participants who deploy to the designated area of eligibility for the qualifying operation.

Outstanding or meritorious performance of nondeployed or remotely located support units and individuals is not justification for award of the AFSM. Such performance may be recognized by appropriate unit and/or individual decorations instead of the AFSM.

Definitions:

Significant Activity: A United States military operation considered to be of such high degree of scope, impact, and national or international significance as to warrant the permanent commemoraton and recognition afforded by award of a campaign or service medal.

Area of Eligibility:

The foreign territory on which troops have actually landed or are present and specifically deployed for the operation. Adjacent water areas in which ships are operating, patrolling, or providing direct support of the operation. The air space above and adjacent to the area in which operations are being conducted.

Direct Support:

Services being supplied to participating forces in the area of eligibility by ground units, ships, and aircraft, provided it involves actually entering the designated area of eligibility. Such support includes units, ships and aircraft providing logistic, patrol, guard, reconnaissance, or other military support within the designated area of eligibility.

Limitations:

The AFSM shall be awarded only for operations for which no other U.S. campaign medal is approved. The military service of the Service member for which qualification for the award of the AFSM is based shall have been honorable. For operations in which personnel of only one Military Department participate, the AFSM shall be awarded only if there is no other suitable award available to that Department. Award of the AFSM is not authorized for participation in national or international exercises. The AFSM shall not be awarded for NATO or UN operations not involving significant, concurrent United States military support operations.

Award Approval Authority: The Joint Chiefs of Staff designate U.S. military operations after 1 June 1992 that qualify for the AFSM. Executive Order 12985, "Establishing the Armed Forces Service Medal," dated January 9, 1993, establishes the award.

Guidelines about the AFSM and the Humanitarian Service Medal (HSM)

Because the AFSM may be awarded for a prolonged humanitarian operation, distinction between the AFSM and the HSM must be maintained.

The HSM is an individual award, presented to individuals who are physically present at the site of immediate relief and who directly contribute to and influence the humanitarian action. The HSM is only awarded for service during the identified period of immediate relief. Eligibility for the HSM terminates should the humanitarian action evolve into an "established ongoing operation beyond the initial emergency condition." The AFSM is a theater award, authorized for presentation to all participants who meet eligibility requirements established for a designated operation. The AFSM is not authorized for operations in which all deployed participants are awarded the HSM and for which the period of immediate relief coincides with the duration of significant deployed operations.

Quick Facts about the AFSM

The AFSM is worn immediately before the Humanitarian Service Medal. No more than one medal shall be awarded to any one Service member. Second and subsequent awards will be denoted by 3/16-inch bronze service stars. A 3/16-inch silver star will be worn instead of 5 bronze stars. The AFSM may be awarded posthumously and presented to representative(s) of the deceased as deemed appropriate by the Secretary concerned.

Operations in the European Theater awarded the AFSM

Operations Relating to the Former Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) (Announced in Joint Staff message 051708Z MAR 96) beginning 1 Jun 92 through:

OPERATION PROVIDE PROMISE (OPP) - 15 Mar 96
OPERATION JOINT ENDEAVOR (OJE) - 19 Dec 96 Task Force ABLE SENTRY (TFAS) - 31 Mar 99
OPERATION DENY FLIGHT (ODF) - 20 Dec 95
OPERATION MARITIME MONITOR (OMM) - 20 Sep 96
OPERATION SHARP GUARD (OSG) - 20 Sep 96
Assisting Border Protection and Customs on Mexican Border -- 20 August 2019

The AREA OF ELIGIBILITY (AOE) for the above
operations is the total land area and air space of the Former Republic of Yugoslavia, Hungary and Italy and the waters and air space above that portion of the Adriatic Sea that lies north of forty degrees North Latitude. Members must be: Bona Fide members of unit participating for one or more days in the above operations within the designated AOE. (This means the entire unit entered the AOE as a unit). Engaged in direct support for 30 consecutive days in the AOE. Engaged in direct support for 60 nonconsecutive days in the AOE. Participating as a regularly assigned crew member of an aircraft flying into, out of, within, or over the AOE. Units that provided DIRECT SUPPORT to OJE, outside the area of eligibility are alos eligible for award of the AFSM. These units are identified in Joint Staff Message 271355Z Oct 99.

Operation JOINT GUARD (OJG) (Announced in Joint Staff message 102123Z OCT 97) beginning 20 Dec 96 through 20 Jun 98. The AREA OF ELIGIBILITY (AOE) for OJG is the total land area and air space of the Former Republic of Yugoslavia and Hungary and the waters and air space above that portion of the Adriatic Sea that lies north of forty degrees North Latitude. Members must be: Bona Fide members of unit participating for one or more days in OJG within the designated AOE. (This means the entire unit entered the AOE as a unit). Engaged in direct support for 30 consecutive days in the AOE. Engaged in direct support for 60 nonconsecutive days in the AOE. Participating as a regularly assigned crew member of an aircraft flying into, out of, within, or over the AOE. OJG is the follow on peace process begun by OJE in the European Theater. As the AFSM is a theater award, service members are authorized only one AFSM for service in either/or both OGE and OJG (No Oak Leaf Clusters authorized). Units that provided DIRECT SUPPORT to OJG, outside the area of eligibility are alos eligible for award of the AFSM. These units are identified in Joint Staff Message 271355Z Oct 99.

Operation JOINT FORGE (OJF) (Announced in JOINT STAFF 201447 MAY 99) beginning 21 Jun 98 to a date to be determined. The AREA OF ELIGIBILITY (AOE) for OJF is the total land area and air space of Slovenia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Serbia and Hungary. Members must be: Bona Fide members of unit participating for one or more days in OJF within the designated AOE. (This means the entire unit entered the AOE as a unit). Engaged in direct support for 30 consecutive days in the AOE. Engaged in direct support for 60 nonconsecutive days in the AOE. Participating as a regularly assigned crew member of an aircraft flying into, out of, within, or over the AOE. OJF is the continuation of the peace process begun by OJE in the European Theater. As the AFSM is a theater award, service members are authorized only one AFSM for service in either OGE, OJG and OJF (No Oak Leaf Clusters authorized).

Operation PROVIDE COMFORT (OPC) (Announced in Joint Staff message 181108Z JUN 98) beginning 1 Dec 95 through 31 Dec 96. The AREA OF ELIGIBILITY (AOE) for OPC is the total land area and air space of the Northern Iraq, north of the 36th Parallel, and Incirlik Air Base and Pirinclik Air Base, Turkey. Members must be: Bona Fide members of unit participating for one or more days in OPC within the designated AOE. (This means the entire unit entered the AOE as a unit). Be deployed as an individual by official orders to OPC for 30 consecutive days in the AOE. Be deployed as an individual by official orders to OPC for 60 nonconsecutive days in the AOE. Participating as a regularly assigned crew member of an aircraft flying Operations, to include OPC, during the period 2 Aug 92 and 31 Dec 96.into, out of, within, or over the AOE. Service members who earned the Southwest Asia Service Medal (SWASM), which terminated 30 Nov 95, and subsequently became eligible for the AFSM awarded to OPC may elect to receive the AFSM instead of the SWASM. However, no service member may be issued or wear both medals - SWASM and AFSM - (or service ribbons) for service in the Southwest Asia Theater of

PROVIDE PROMISE  Multinational operation to support humanitarian relief activities in Bosnia Herzegovina 2 Jun 1992 15 Feb 1996

DENY FLIGHT  NATO enforcem ent of the no fly zone over Bosnia Herzegovina. 12 Apr 1993 2 Dec 1995

SHARP GUARD  NATO maritime enforcement of UN embargo against the former Yugoslavia. U.S. participation was amended by the November 94 Nunn Mitchell Act to exclude U.S. enforcement of the arms embargo against Bosnia. NATO enforcement actions ended in June 19 96 and the operation was terminated in September 19 96, following the lifting of the UN embargo and associated economic sanctions. 15 Jun 1993 20 Sep 1996 Task Force Able Sentr y  Support to the UN Preventive Deployment force in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Upon expiration of the UN mandate in February 19 99, U.S. forces remained in place and were renamed Task Force Sabre, tasked to protect U.S. facilities and equ ipment. They were relieved in June 19 99 by the U.S. national support element to KFOR Task Force Falcon (Rear). 12 Jul 1993 31 Mar 1999

UPHOLD DECOMCRACY: 1) United Nations Mission Haiti; 2) U.S. Forces Hati; and 3) U.S. Support Group Haiti 1 Apr 19 95 31 Jan 2000 JOINT ENDEAVOR  NATO Implementation Force operation to implement the military aspects of the Dayton Peace Agreement in Bosnia Herzegovina. 20 Nov 1995 19 Dec 1996

PROVIDE COMFORT  Combined Task Force to enforce the no fly zone in northe rn Iraq above the 36th parallel and to support coalition humanitarian relief operations in northern Iraq. 1 Dec 1995 31 Dec 1996

JOINT GUARD  NATO Stabilization Force (SFOR) to deter resumption of hostilities and to stabilize the peace in Bosnia Herzeg ovina in accordance with the Dayton Peace Accords (preceded by NATO Operation JOINT ENDEAVOR and followed by JOINT FORGE).

Operations DELIBERATE GUARD and DETERMINED GUARD were the respective air and naval components 20 Dec 1996 20 Jun 1998 Operation / Task Force  Description Inclusive Dates

JOINT FORGE  NATO SFOR follow on force (FOF) providing a continued military presence to deter resumption of hostilities in Bosnia Herzegovina and to contribute to a secure environment that will promote the re establishment of civil authority in accordance with the Dayton Peace Accords. Operations DELIBERATE FORGE and DETERMINED FORGE are the respective air and naval components. The U.S. contribution to SFOR was Task Force Eagle. 21 Jun 1998 2 Dec 2004 Hurricane Relief  Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita 27 Au g 2005 27 Feb 2006

JUMP START  National Guard forces deployed to Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California to assist the Department of Homeland Security with securing the southwest U.S. border. 15 May 2006 15 Jul 2008

UNIFIED RESPONSE  Service mem bers deployed to provide relief assistance to the people of Haiti following a 7.0 magnitude earthquake on 12 Jan 2010. 14 Jan 2010  1 Jun 2010

UNITED ASSISTANCE (Ebola relief)  Service members deployed to the land area, territorial waters out to 12 n autical miles, and air space of: Benin, Cameroon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sierra Leone. 16 Sep 2014  30 Jun 2015

OAKEN STEEL  Service members deployed to the land area, territorial waters out to 12 nautical miles, and the air space of: South Sudan, Republic of Djibouti, and Uganda. 12 Jul 201 - 26 Jun 2017

Assisting Border Protection and Customs on Mexican Border -- 20 August 2019

Order of Precedence:

The Armed Forces Service Medal is worn after the Southwest Asia Service Medal and before the Humanitarian Service Medal.

Devices:

Additional awards of the Armed Forces Service Medal are denoted by 3/16-inch bronze stars. A 3/16-inch silver star will be worn in lieu of five bronze stars.

Designer:

The Armed Forces Service Medal was designed by Nadine Russell of the Army's Institute of Heraldry.

First Recipient:

The identity of the first recipient of the Armed Forces Service Medal is not known.

Description and Symbolism

Obverse:

In the center of a bronze medallion one and three-eighths inches in diameter, a demi-torch (as on the Statue of Liberty) is shown encircled at the top by the inscription, ARMED FORCES SERVICE MEDAL.

The torch, adapted from the Statue of Liberty, represents the principles of democracy as well as leadership and guidance.

Reverse:

In the center of a bronze medallion one and three-eighths inches in diameter, an eagle (as on the seal of the Department of Defense) is shown between a wreath of laurel at the base and the inscription IN PURSUIT OF DEMOCRACY at top.

The eagle, adapted from the seal of the Department of Defense, reflects the scope of the award and its applicability. Laurel is for honor and achievement.

Ribbon:

The medal is suspended from a ribbon one and three-eighths inches in width consisting of the following stripes: 1/16" Goldenlight; 1/8" Bottle (Jungle) Green; 1/8" Green; 1/8" Mosstone; 1/8" Goldenlight; 1/4" Bluebird; 1/8" Goldenlight; 1/8" Mosstone; 1/8" Green; 1/8" Bottle (Jungle) Green; and 1/16" Goldenlight.

Green denotes life and growth; medium blue is the color used by the Department of Defense, and gold is for honor.

Qualifying Operations:

The following operations qualify for the Armed Forces Service Medal: