Posted on Oct 27, 2015
2LT Platoon Leader
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I am wondering if anyone here has more information regarding the eligibility for the GWOTSM. It is my understanding that to receive this award a Soldier must be on active duty for 30 consecutive days, excluding IET. I ask because I have seen some Commissionees wearing this award to their commissioning, while others haven't. I don't believe that they would be eligible for this as the most time they have spent on AD would be LDAC/CLC. I have some prior service in the guard and my record doesn't reflect having this award, so I would assume that's the answer. Just interested in hearing if anyone has more knowledge on the subject.
Posted in these groups: Us medals AwardsUs army ranks 319 CommissionGeneral of the army rank insignia Officer569050f0 Cadet
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
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Here is the regulation from AR 600-8-22

2–19. Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
a. The GWOTSM was established by EO 13289, 12 March 2003. It is authorized for award to Servicemembers of
the Armed Forces of the United States who have participated in or served in support of a Global War on Terrorism
operations outside of the designated area of eligibility defined in paragraph 2–19d on or after 11 September 2001 to a
future date to be determined. Operations approved for the GWOTSM are provided in paragraph 2–19c.
b. Areas of eligibility are designated as follows:
(1) The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff will designate approved operations on a case-by-case basis when
requested by the combatant commanders.
(2) At the request of the combatant commander, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff may approve specific
efforts that are rendered by unit(s) or individual(s) who meet all other requirements for award of the GWOTSM but are
not issued specific orders for the approved operation(s).
(3) All BN commanders and commanders of separate units have the authority to award the GWOTSM to units and
personnel within their command for approved operations.
c. Servicemembers must be assigned, attached, or mobilized to a unit supporting designated operations listed in
paragraph 2–18d for 30 consecutive days or for 60 nonconsecutive days, or meet one of the following criteria:
(1) Initial award of the GWOTSM is limited to airport security operations (from 27 September 2001 through 31
May 2002) and Soldiers who supported Operation NOBLE EAGLE (11 September 2001 to date to be determined),
OEF (11 September 2001 to date to be determined), OIF (19 March 2003 through August 31, 2010), OND (1 September 2010 through 31 December 2011), OIR (15 June 2014 to date be determined) and OFS (1 January 2015 to
date to be decided).
(2) Service in an operationally deployed status abroad within a designated area of eligibility (as outlined in para
2–18d) merits primary eligibility for the GWOTEM; personnel supporting the Global War on Terrorism in a nondeployed
status, whether stationed at home (in the United States) or overseas, are eligible only for the GWOTSM.
d. All Soldiers on active duty, including RC Soldiers mobilized, or ARNG Soldiers activated on or after 11
September 2001 until a date to be determined and having served 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days are
authorized the GWOTSM. All Soldiers in a training status (basic or advanced individual training) are not eligible for
receipt of this award until assigned to their first duty station and meet the requirements in paragraph 2–19c.
e. The following rules apply to the GWOTSM:
(1) The GWOTSM may be awarded posthumously.
(2) Servicemembers may be awarded both the GWOTEM and the GWOTSM if they meet the criteria for both
awards; however, the qualifying period used to establish eligibility for one award cannot be used to justify eligibility
for the other award.
(3) The GWOTSM will be worn after the GWOTEM and will be followed by the KDSM (that is, GWOTEM,
GWOTSM, KDSM).
f. Only one award of the GWOTSM may be authorized to any individual; therefore, second and subsequent awards
will not be awarded.
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1SG Civil Affairs Specialist
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2LT (Join to see), the short answer is no, because you were exclusively in a training environment.
Once you arrive in a unit, the element must be providing support to GWOT operation outside the AOR for the GWOTEM or ACM in order to be eligible. That judgment is made by the commander, and it is not automatic.
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1LT Aviation Officer
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We talked about awards in BOLC yesterday...Upon commissioning you're authorized to wear the Army Service ribbon as well as National Defense.
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CPT(P) Mccc Student
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We were not allowed to wear the medals you mentioned until after BOLC graduation.
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CPT(P) Mccc Student
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Sir, Would you happen to have the regulation that supports this topic, specifically down to the paragraph?
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