With the approval of the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, should the President authorize the Armed Forces Service Medal for Atlantic Resolve?

MSgt Jason McClish — Thu, 14 Apr 2016 19:32:13 -0400

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Apr 15 at 2016 6:33 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 06:33:45 -0400

I understand thought regarding duration of mission and number of personnel involved, however, it is essentially continuous joint training which show unity in effort not a campaign (that I know of). Hopefully it does not come to that as it would mean (likely) WWIII.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2016 8:26 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 08:26:00 -0400

Atlantic Resolve isn't a named operation, OIR is. Huge difference. AR is a continuous series of exercises running from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea to deter aggression and re-assure the Alliance. It's Phase 0 of a larger plan that would arguably be a named operation at time of crisis. Can't compare OIR to AR.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2016 5:56 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 17:56:28 -0400

Absolutely shack on target. Atlantic Resolve has had thousands of airmen, sailors and soldiers attached to it and working on it and it meets the definition of the AFSM. Which states:

§ 578.34 Armed Forces Service Medal.
(a) Criteria. The Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM) was established by Executive Order 12985, January 11, 1996. It is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who, after June 1, 1992 meet the following criteria:
(1) Participate, or have participated, as members of U.S. military units, in a U.S. military operation that is deemed to be a significant activity; and
(2) Encounter no foreign armed opposition or imminent threat of hostile action.
(b) Eligibility requirements. To qualify for award of the AFSM service members must be bona fide members of a unit participating for one or more days in the operation within the designated area of eligibility, or meet one or more of the following criteria:
(1) Be engaged in direct support for 30 consecutive days in the area of eligibility (or for the full period when an operation is of less than 30 days duration) or for 60 nonconsecutive days provided this support involves entering the area of eligibility.
(2) Participate as a regularly assigned crew member of an aircraft flying into, out of, within, or over the area of eligibility in support of the operation.
(c) Qualifying operations. (1) The AFSM may be authorized for significant U.S. military activities for which no other U.S. campaign or service medal is appropriate, such as—
(i) Peacekeeping operations.
(ii) Prolonged humanitarian operations.
(2) The AFSM may be awarded for U.S. military operations in direct support of the United Nations (UN) or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and for operations of assistance to friendly foreign nations.

As far as it being a non-named operation, that's not true. http://www.defense.gov/News/Special-Reports/0514_Atlantic-Resolve

As far as it being a "Phase 0" Operation. That is also not true, it is a Phase 1 operation by JP 5.0 pg xxiv. With some Phase 2 elements.

The question remains, is this on the Chairman's radar?

Special Report: Atlantic Resolve

Official website for U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2017 4:32 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 04:32:10 -0400

Currently in Europe for OAR. This mission has greatly increased. Any headway on the AFSM? I contacted HRC and they said it fits the criteria. At what point or approach can I get this published to my whole BDE as being awarded this?