Should we be awarded the Iraqi Commitment Medal?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 11:40:10 -0500

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2018 11:40 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 11:40:59 -0500

The Government of Iraq developed a medal in honor of those service servicemembers who sacrificed for their freedom.
Why aren't US Service-members wearing it?
Why do we wear freedom medals from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, France.. but not Iraq or
Afghanistan?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_Commitment_Medal

Iraq Commitment Medal - Wikipedia

The Iraq Commitment Medal is a military campaign award that was created on June 11, 2011 by the Government of Iraq. The Iraq Minister of Defense, Dr. Saadoun Al-Dlaimi offered the medal to Veterans of the Iraq War in a letter to the United States Secretary of Defense.[2] Nearly six years later, the award has still not been approved for wear for United States Iraq War Veterans. The Department of Defense made a statement that it is waiting for...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2018 11:41 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 11:41:17 -0500

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_Commitment_Medal

Iraq Commitment Medal - Wikipedia

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Feb 13 at 2018 11:48 AM

SSG Carlos Madden — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 11:48:50 -0500

This is basically the same question a member posted about a corresponding medal that the government of Afghanistan created. I suspect the opinions about this medal will be the same.
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/should-we-be-awarded-the-afghan-freedom-medal?loc=similar_main&pos=0&type=qrc

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/what-is-the-status-of-the-iraq-commitment-medal-is-dod-still-considering-it?loc=similar_main&pos=1&type=qrc

Should we be awarded the Afghan Freedom Medal? | RallyPoint

I stumbled upon the Afghan Freedom Medal that was approved by Afghanistan to present to foreign Soldiers who helped them. The US never accepted it and therefore we are not authorized to be awarded it or wear it. What are your thoughts? Should we have accepted it? Should we now?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2018 12:14 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 12:14:34 -0500

I am sorry for posting the heck out of my own post but I think I have discovered the reason why this and Afghan medal are being ignored.
"Under a long-standing Army awards and decorations policy, soldiers are not entitled to dual medals for the same act, achievement or period of service in the same operating area. However, soldiers are not authorized to wear both medals at the same time."
So for some weird reason they recognize Kuwait and Saudi Arabia awards in spite of their reluctance to do so now. It may have to do with the fact that the period in which both conflicts took place was devoid of major wars. Now that there is regular sustained operations there is a sudden and persistent fear of "award inflation and over recognition".

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Feb 13 at 2018 1:08 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 13:08:09 -0500

LTC Private RallyPoint Member: Absolutely, Major. You earned it.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Feb 13 at 2018 2:00 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 14:00:07 -0500

Learn something new every day, didn't even know such an animal existed.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2018 10:45 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 10:45:04 -0500

SPC Margret Higgins, Ma’am for me it’s not about me, or another award but the fact that they are not honoring the sacrifices, deaths and injuries in the same way while also doing something which is considered as insulting to some in the government of Iraq.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Feb 15 at 2018 10:55 PM

MSG John Duchesneau — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 22:55:01 -0500

Yes, Vietnam Vets got the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and Korean War vets got the Korean War Service Medal.

Response by SSG Matthew Koehler made Feb 16 at 2018 4:27 PM

SSG Matthew Koehler — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 16:27:16 -0500

How about a Korean Commitment Medal? I have a KDSM.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Feb 16 at 2018 4:28 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 16:28:43 -0500

I'm not one to go grabbing for awards - especially since I've left the service - bit this would actually be something that I would like to one day receive and frame separately from my U.S. Army awards. It would be nice to have something from "the people" of the place I fought for that demonstrates feelings of thanks and recognition. I like all of my awards, but it is like the U.S. patting you on the back for doing what you (after volunteering to enlist) were just told to do. A symbol from the foreign nation that they actually appreciated it would be something a little more special. Maybe I'm just weird...

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2018 12:21 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Feb 2018 00:21:27 -0500

The story I heard is that there was a bit of a kerfuffle over who would pay for it. As a foreign medal, they should be manufactured by the awarding nation. Of course, copies would be made by US manufacturers (like was the case for the SKLM), but the "real" ones should be made by them.
Both nations had significant amounts of their budgets financed by the USG anyway, so some thought it was a redundant extravagance.
I tend to agree.
If they want to hand them out, they should pay for them and Institute of Heraldry and the civilian leadership should approve them for receipt and wear.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2018 4:08 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Feb 2018 16:08:45 -0500

They have to many ribbons already

Response by SSG Dave Smith made Jul 20 at 2018 10:30 AM

SSG Dave Smith — Fri, 20 Jul 2018 10:30:31 -0400

Why not make them into some sort of unit citation like the Phillipines did?

Response by SFC Paul Rominiecki made Oct 7 at 2018 10:34 PM

SFC Paul Rominiecki — Sun, 07 Oct 2018 22:34:54 -0400

That would be neat token to put on my wall.

Response by PVT Jeromy Markin made Oct 27 at 2018 1:27 PM

PVT Jeromy Markin — Sat, 27 Oct 2018 13:27:15 -0400

Maybe the overall concept is that Iraq (or Afghanistan) respectively would like to appreciate all that the American Soldier/Sailor/Airman and Marine respectively put on the line... some had easy Rear D type assignments... and got Bronze Stars... Some were Front Line Grunts that gave all and saw a lot of men give all...and recieved just your basic ARCOM AND Campaign medal... it is a noble and justified award that should be givin... wether the Service member wears it or not is up to them... I myself routinely stopped wearing my CIB and my FWTS patch... just because I didn't want to think about it... i would display the award seperate from my Army awards... however still worthy of recognition

Response by SGT Jacob Smith made Aug 15 at 2019 1:29 PM

SGT Jacob Smith — Thu, 15 Aug 2019 13:29:34 -0400

And yes I fully believe we should be awarded it. If a foriegn nation wants to present an award as a thank you it's perfectly acceptable. This isn't a new concept. This is actually a very old concept and 99% of all conflicts and wars we have participated in has actually had at least one foreign campaign award presented to troops if not more. It wouldn't clash against the OIF Campaign medal you already have because it's a foreign award. It would just go at the very end of your ribbon rack and medal rack.

Well some veteran got tired of waiting on the Iraqi Government to manufacture the initial lot of awards and is taking matters into his own hands. According to his kickstarter he's trying to get the amount produced that he can go to d.o.d. and have them finalize and finish approval process for all servicemembers. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/iraqcommitmentmedal/iraq-commitment-medal

Iraq Commitment Medal

The Iraq Commitment Medal is a military campaign award that was created on June 11, 2011 by the Government of Iraq.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2019 7:03 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 19:03:06 -0400

https://www.kennedyinsignia.com/iraq-commitment-medal

A Portion of sales will go to Veteran Causes. This is one of the reasons i helped to bring this about

Iraq Commitment Medal Set — Kennedy insignia

Response by 1SG John Highfill made Jan 6 at 2020 1:41 PM

1SG John Highfill — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 13:41:23 -0500

Who is authorized to wear the medal

Response by LCDR Leonard LE Blanc made Jan 14 at 2020 5:37 AM

LCDR Leonard LE Blanc — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 05:37:25 -0500

Local man selling Iraq Commitment Medals
Bryan Richardson [login to see] 12 hrs ago
Iraq Commitment Medal
The front of an Iraq Commitment Medal. In 2011, the Iraq government created the medal for all U.S. and coalition troops who served during the Iraq War from 2003 to 2011. However, the Iraq government hasn’t manufactured the medals.

The new year has already brought joy to one local man.
Leonard Le Blanc is selling 1,500 Iraq Commitment Medals through his eBay store, SEATE Services, that commemorate those who served in the Iraq War.

Le Blanc, who worked two stints as a civilian contractor in Iraq in 2003-04 and 2005-06, said he secured a license from the Iraq government to produce the medals.

“Part of the problem is people don’t know about this,” he said. “It popped up in 2011 and then disappeared. A lot of people have no idea about this.”

In 2011, the Iraq government created the Iraq Commitment Medal for all U.S. and coalition troops who served during the Iraq War from 2003 to 2011. Officials said an estimated 1 million medals would be needed to fulfill the need.

However, the Iraq government never made the medals for mass distribution with only a single award given to then-Vice President Joe Biden on Dec. 1, 2011.

In August, Stars and Stripes reported that the Pentagon said the medals are the responsibility of the Iraq government.

“Traditionally when a foreign government authorizes a medal, that government provides the medal to eligible members as the medal is a foreign decoration, not a Department of Defense decoration,” the Pentagon said in a statement. “At this time, the Department of Defense has not received any (commitment medals) from the Government of Iraq to approve or distribute.”

However, there have been unofficial medals floating around.

Le Blanc, who received a bachelor’s degree in geography from K-State in 1973, said he was looking for medals on eBay in February when he found an Iraq Commitment Medal that someone was selling.

“It disappeared and sold out,” he said. “This guy had 50.”

While Le Blanc’s plan won’t fulfill the Defense Department’s requirement, it does provide an opportunity for those who want a medal. He is selling the medals for $20 plus shipping, and the medal plus an award certificate for $31.50.

“There will always be people who will not get issued a medal, but who want one,” Le Blanc said. “Museums, ribbon collectors, medals collectors, patriotic organizations.”

Le Blanc said he has an American intermediary who had “done business” with the Iraq government. “He was able to secure that for me,” he said.

Le Blanc said he told the Chinese manufacturer he’s working with to follow the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry’s standards when making the medals.

If things go well, he said he would make an additional 5,000 medals — both military and civilian versions.