Posted on Mar 30, 2016
Is a new award for service in Iraq necessary?
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Posted in these groups: 
Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR)
Medals
Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) Medals
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 15
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It's a new campaign medal.
The reason it is "necessary" is because the previous Iraq campaign is "officially" ended. This means that for Marines we would default to the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal (or the Armed Forced Expeditionary Medal) which is granted when no other Campaign Medal is authorized. So basically we would still get one...
Remember, the awards show distinct aspects of your career. Some of it is accomplishments (Valor or Personal Awards). Some of it is Longevity. Some of it is Locale. None of it's really necessary, but it does tell a story.
The reason it is "necessary" is because the previous Iraq campaign is "officially" ended. This means that for Marines we would default to the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal (or the Armed Forced Expeditionary Medal) which is granted when no other Campaign Medal is authorized. So basically we would still get one...
Remember, the awards show distinct aspects of your career. Some of it is accomplishments (Valor or Personal Awards). Some of it is Longevity. Some of it is Locale. None of it's really necessary, but it does tell a story.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
LTC Paul Labrador - Technically the Expeditionary Medals aren't Campaign Medals though. They're issued in lieu of Campaign Medals.
Everyone is supporting the GWOT (whether stateside or abroad). This is a distinct Campaign under that "umbrella" just like OEF and OIF were distinct Campaigns which had distinct Medals, and the GWOTEM was an "umbrella medal."
Everyone is supporting the GWOT (whether stateside or abroad). This is a distinct Campaign under that "umbrella" just like OEF and OIF were distinct Campaigns which had distinct Medals, and the GWOTEM was an "umbrella medal."
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Awarding a campaign medal (not an award) is important "to honor troops who have served or are serving in the fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria." I agree, those sacrificing deserve the honor and distinction.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/mar/30/pentagon-unveils-new-medal-soldiers-who-fought-isi/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/mar/30/pentagon-unveils-new-medal-soldiers-who-fought-isi/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS
Pentagon unveils new medal for troops who fought ISIS
The Pentagon unveiled Wednesday a new medal to honor troops who have served or are serving in the fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
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MAJ (Join to see)
SFC Zach K, I partially disagree. True, most serving are not interested in "fruit salad" but those ribbons also tell the story of where and when someone served to all his brothers and sisters in arms. We can have valorous and meritorious awards but the "other" tells from where and when.
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MAJ (Join to see)
I was part of some troops that went forward to support this expeditionary mission in the middle of 2014. Everyone wanted to say it wasn't part OIF and that award was shuthe off. Look at every conflict we have been in and there has been a campaign award to go along with it ( WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, etc)
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I must appologize for my question I misread the article that brought me to post this question. Being that it is for service in Syria as well then yes there should be a new Campaign Medal, and reactivating the Iraq Campaign Medal would be totally out of the question.
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Sgt Justin DavisCrowe
I agree that awards are imprtant, but my point is they are making awards for everything now. Why not reactivate the ICM for new Operations in Iraq Versus creating a whole new award? My Grandfather served in WWII, and he saw a whole lot more crap than I did, and I have more awards than him.
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SGM Matthew Quick
Not creating recognition for everything, but recognizing sacrifices appropriately.
These medals signify individual/unique campaigns...many servicemembers and veterans identify their service (short or long) to campaigns.
These medals signify individual/unique campaigns...many servicemembers and veterans identify their service (short or long) to campaigns.
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I do not see any harm in it. This ribbon is for service in Syria and Iraq against ISIS, not just for Iraq. Yes, they probably could have just placed the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal in this place... but it will recognize Soldiers for participating in the campaign. Whether it is the GWOTEM or this new medal, I think it will be a good thing. Not everyone cares about medals or awards, but some people do get their motivation from little things that show off where they have been and what they have experienced.
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The "Medal" is not for Iraq alone, it covers every area of operation in which our service members are actively facing ISIS. The titles for prior recognition do not fit todays fight. If our service members are in harms way for extended periods we (the military) must have a way to track/and recognize where you serve. This is done in the form of a Medal not an Award, there is a distinct difference.
I think those that serve deserve recognition.
I think those that serve deserve recognition.
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Yes. This is a totally different campaign from OIF. Also, there very well may be a lot of young Soldiers that did not have a part in OIF but deployed on this mission and this medal would be instrumental for them. What I do foresee, though, is there will definitely be Soldiers begging to go on this mission so they can add some more bling to their rack. Little humor for ya there.
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