MILPER Message 16-303 mentions an Afghanistan Commemorative Service Medal. What the heck is that?

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 13:49:06 -0500

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2016 1:57 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 13:57:21 -0500

he Afghanistan Commemorative Medal is awarded to military personnel who served in the War in Afghanistan or in Operation Enduring Freedom, beginning in 2001 and extending to an undetermined date. The Afghanistan Commemorative Medal is distinct from the Afghanistan Campaign Medal as the award was instituted by legislation from Congress rather than by the Department of Defense

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2016 2:01 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 14:01:05 -0500

Can't find anything in the Institute of Heraldry to support the statement

Response by SSG Robert Webster made Dec 7 at 2016 2:06 PM

SSG Robert Webster — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 14:06:27 -0500

It's a foreign award from Afghanistan.
Honorary. Unless otherwise specified, this award may only be accepted and retained; not allowed for wear on the U.S. Army uniform. Many decorations may or may not be authorized for wear and are only honorary. Accompanying documents must be read very carefully.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2016 2:13 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 14:13:46 -0500

Exactly what it says it is. Commemorative medals are issued from a wide variety of sources, sometimes even the US government, but they aren't authorized for wear on the uniform. They are more just keepsakes you put in a shadowbox and put on a shelf.

Response by SFC Jeff Holcombe made Dec 7 at 2016 2:23 PM

SFC Jeff Holcombe — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 14:23:40 -0500

I was looking a lot of links up regarding this, I didn't find anything absolute as to how and why a person gets this award. However 670-1 doesn't authorize privately produced commemorative medals to be worn at all, and I found in 600-8-22 (Military Awards) on Page 170, it only lists 1 commemorative medal which is the France Commemorative Medal. In the MILPER message it says to see Note 1: Note:
1. Honorary. Unless otherwise specified, this foreign badge or decoration may only be accepted
and retained; it is not allowed for wear on the U.S. Army uniform.

I still don't know how or why someone gets this award.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2016 2:33 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 14:33:24 -0500

Call me silly, but creating a commemorative medal for a country you have already been to and received a campaign medal for......not to mention all the memories (good and bad).....why would anyone want another reminder?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2016 4:39 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 16:39:05 -0500

Sounds like what to buy when you have too much money.

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2016 5:41 PM

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 17:41:44 -0500

Because you must have 15 pieces of flair. Not 3 or 16. 15 pieces!!!

Response by MSgt Wayne Morris made Dec 7 at 2016 5:54 PM

MSgt Wayne Morris — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 17:54:17 -0500

Another trophy for the everyone gets a trophy crowd?

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Dec 7 at 2016 10:13 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 22:13:00 -0500

Is that like a 10 year pin at a civilian job?. MAJ Private RallyPoint Member any chance you can post the MILPER message for those of no longer in the circle of CAC trust?

Hope they are not buying into that Military Medals of America fakey bullshit medals they sell.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2016 2:51 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 02:51:36 -0500

http://cjmmilitarycertificates.com/commemorative-medals.html

Looks like there are a lot more out there. Not sure if this is really the same one that the MILPER mentions.

US Commemorative Medals Images and Descriptions

View the Images of US Commemorative Medals. Description of who they honor or what they commemorate are listed.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2016 2:04 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 14:04:55 -0500

You Kicked up a Crap Storm didn't you James. Interesting question though. I haven't been able to find anything definitive either.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2016 3:33 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 15:33:09 -0500

Is this the long-rumored medal issued by the nation of Afghanistan, or something else?
Most commemorative medals are items that are not worn, but put in a shadowbox or some such.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Dec 9 at 2016 9:01 PM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Fri, 09 Dec 2016 21:01:57 -0500

A commemorative medal is not Government issued and must be bought at a commercial outlet. They are NOT authorized for wear on a Military uniform ! They can be worn on civilian attire only. There are commemorative medal for many military events or recognition but they have no official status IAW Military regulations or Instructions..

Response by MSG David Rogers III made Dec 14 at 2016 2:24 PM

MSG David Rogers III — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 14:24:53 -0500

Sounds like something that was only awarded to the Generals and politicians.... like when VP Joe Biden was awarded the "Iraq Commitment Medal" (a Medal meant for the troops on the ground).