Posted on May 3, 2021
Do USAR Soldiers ordered to Active Duty qualify for the National Defense Service Medal?
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Hello,
I have been ordered to active duty service for 28 days. The start date of this service is in the next few months. According to my orders, my COMP (component) is USAR (US Army Reserve). Given that this is active duty service before the technical end of GWOT (I'm assuming 11SEP2021 will be considered the end date for the Period of Eligibility), my understanding is that I would qualify for the NDSM; however if this is wrong please let me know. Thank you.
I have been ordered to active duty service for 28 days. The start date of this service is in the next few months. According to my orders, my COMP (component) is USAR (US Army Reserve). Given that this is active duty service before the technical end of GWOT (I'm assuming 11SEP2021 will be considered the end date for the Period of Eligibility), my understanding is that I would qualify for the NDSM; however if this is wrong please let me know. Thank you.
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Responses: 6
This is what the regulation states, I left out mention of the Korean War, Vietnam War, and the Gulf War.
Army Regulation 600-8-22, 2-11 - National Defense Service Medal
a. The NDSM was established by EO 10448, 22 April 1953, as amended by EO 11265, 11 January 1966; EO 12776, 18 October 1991, as amended by EO 13293, 28 March 2003 and SECDEF Memorandum, dated 26 April 2002; and EO 13293, dated 28 March 2003. The NDSM may be awarded for both active and reserve service as defined below.
b. It is awarded for honorable active service for any period between (dates inclusive):
(4) 11 September 2001 to a date to be determined (Global War on Terrorism).
e. During the period listed in paragraph 2–11b (4) for Global War on Terrorism, Servicemembers on active duty, which includes extended eligibility for award of the NDSM to the Selected Reserve in good standing will also be eligible.
g. To signify receipt of a second or subsequent award of the NDSM, a bronze service star will be worn on the Service ribbon by U.S. Army personnel so qualified. A second or third award of the NDSM is authorized for Soldiers who served in two or more of the four time periods listed in paragraph 2–11b. It is not authorized for Soldiers who met the criteria in a one-time period, left active duty, and returned during the same period of eligibility (see chap 6 for service stars).
h. Cadets of the U.S. Military Academy are eligible for the NDSM, during any of the inclusive periods listed above, upon completion of the swearing-in ceremonies as a cadet.
Army Regulation 600-8-22, 2-11 - National Defense Service Medal
a. The NDSM was established by EO 10448, 22 April 1953, as amended by EO 11265, 11 January 1966; EO 12776, 18 October 1991, as amended by EO 13293, 28 March 2003 and SECDEF Memorandum, dated 26 April 2002; and EO 13293, dated 28 March 2003. The NDSM may be awarded for both active and reserve service as defined below.
b. It is awarded for honorable active service for any period between (dates inclusive):
(4) 11 September 2001 to a date to be determined (Global War on Terrorism).
e. During the period listed in paragraph 2–11b (4) for Global War on Terrorism, Servicemembers on active duty, which includes extended eligibility for award of the NDSM to the Selected Reserve in good standing will also be eligible.
g. To signify receipt of a second or subsequent award of the NDSM, a bronze service star will be worn on the Service ribbon by U.S. Army personnel so qualified. A second or third award of the NDSM is authorized for Soldiers who served in two or more of the four time periods listed in paragraph 2–11b. It is not authorized for Soldiers who met the criteria in a one-time period, left active duty, and returned during the same period of eligibility (see chap 6 for service stars).
h. Cadets of the U.S. Military Academy are eligible for the NDSM, during any of the inclusive periods listed above, upon completion of the swearing-in ceremonies as a cadet.
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Thank you for going over the regulation SPC (Join to see) . According to the orders I received I am under Authority of Title 10, USC. In my limited Cadet understanding, this is during the period of eligibility for GWOT, and I would be under UCMJ regulations, but I do know I applied for and was accepted for this opportunity. That's why I originally thought I may qualify, since I don't think it would be considered a training "obligation" (even though it is ordered to active duty for training).
SPC (Join to see)
Cadet SGT Ali Burianek - Based on the basic read it looks like you qualify so long as you're a sworn cadet, I would check with your S1's award clerk at the earliest opportunity.
Is the purpose of your active duty for training? You shouldn't be ordered to AD if you are a cadet for any other reason than training.
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Yes SFC (Join to see) , the orders state "You are ordered to Active Duty for Training (ADT) for Professional Development".
EDIT: This is not a training obligation (e.g. Advanced Camp), this is a work opportunity I applied for and was accepted (picked from an OML), which also leads to my confusion.
EDIT: This is not a training obligation (e.g. Advanced Camp), this is a work opportunity I applied for and was accepted (picked from an OML), which also leads to my confusion.
SFC (Join to see)
Cadet SGT Ali Burianek while I haven't dug through the NDSM requirements for a while I do know that it's for activation to support GWOT, not for activation for training. Otherwise everyone who joins, AD, ARNG, and USAR would automatically be awarded it upon arrival to Basic
SPC (Join to see)
SFC (Join to see) - SFC I think you might be thinking of the GWOTSM, as it stands everyone who spends one day on Title 10 whether Active, Guard, or Reserve receives the NDSM. Graduates of BCT still receive it, as for Cadets and Midshipmen I would need to check the regulation.
I think the underlying motivation for this inquiry is being skirted over.
Cadet Burianek, your rack will be stacked soon enough.
As already pointed out, there will be a lagging time when the NDSM is shut off, and that presumes there isn't another action that keeps it going. Also, leaving AFG doesn't mean that would be the action to shut it off anyway.
I don't know, but does anyone here think world events will calm enough that the DOD would shut off the NDSM?
This coming 9/11 will be the 20th continuous year it has been authorized.
Also, since the NDSM inception from 27-June-1950 through today, 60% of those days, months and years it has been authorized/awarded.
Cadet Burianek, your rack will be stacked soon enough.
As already pointed out, there will be a lagging time when the NDSM is shut off, and that presumes there isn't another action that keeps it going. Also, leaving AFG doesn't mean that would be the action to shut it off anyway.
I don't know, but does anyone here think world events will calm enough that the DOD would shut off the NDSM?
This coming 9/11 will be the 20th continuous year it has been authorized.
Also, since the NDSM inception from 27-June-1950 through today, 60% of those days, months and years it has been authorized/awarded.
SSG (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see) - I agree with you on this one, sir... the NDSM isn't going away anytime soon...
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