Can you wear the GWoT-EM with the ICM and/or ACM?

SGT Ben Keen — Sun, 18 Nov 2018 23:17:41 -0500

Here's a question for some of you that know the ARs much better than I.

I was awarded the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal in 2003 following my first deployment. Shortly after our return, those of us in my unit that deployed were also awarded the Iraq Campaign Medal Later I was awarded 2 stars for my role in Phase 1: Liberation of Iraq and Phase 2: Transition of Iraq. Later, I would receive a 3rd star for my role in Phase 4: National Resolution and a 4th for Phase 5: Iraqi Surge.

I was talking with some friends, and they mentioned that the GWoT-EM and the ICM cannot be worn together since the ICM and ACM replaced the GWoT-EM in 2005. The HRC website is not much help only stating the following in Paragraph 2 of the background of the award:

"b. Effective 30 April 2005, the GWOTEM is no longer authorized to be awarded for service in Afghanistan and/or Iraq. Soldiers are only authorized award of the ACM and ICM after this date. The GWOTEM is authorized for direct support deployments, such as Kuwait or Qatar. See list above"

And the always "trustworthy" Wikipedia states

"The Iraq Campaign Medal replaced the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOT-EM) for service in Iraq from 19 March 2003, through 30 April 2005.[11] Personnel who previously received the GWOT-EM for Iraq service were given the option to exchange the medal for the Iraq Campaign Medal. The medals were not authorized for the same period of service in Iraq, and any Iraq service which followed the Iraq Campaign Medal's creation was recognized only with the ICM" citing the source as "DoD terminates Iraq Campaign Medal – Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq". Army Times. Retrieved 2012-05-31. The link to that source takes you to an empty page.

So, which it is? For those of us that served, is the GWoT-EM just one of the medals we got but didn't get? I'm asking because I'm working on building out my shadow box and want to make sure I have everything to spec under the regulation.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Nov 18 at 2018 11:23 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sun, 18 Nov 2018 23:23:31 -0500

Yes. Here's an excerpt from HRC's FAQ.

GWOTEM Frequently Asked Questions:

Q1: I was stationed in Iraq from 2012-2013 after the closure of OND on 31 December 2011. Am I eligible to be awarded the GWOTEM?

A1: No. The GWOTEM is no longer authorized in Iraq as of 30 April 2005. After the closure of OND, the mission in Iraq changed from a military mission to a State Department mission.

Q2: Can a Soldier wear Bronze Service Stars (BSS)/Campaign Stars (CS) on the GWOTEM based on the designated operations?

A2: Yes, a BSS/CS is authorized on the GWOTEM for subsequent Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Operations.

Q3: Can a Soldier receive two Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medals (GWOTEM)?

A3: No. Subsequent awards of the GWOTEM will be denoted with a BSS/CS.

Q4: A Soldier originally deployed in support of OEF on 15 February 2003 and served in Kuwait waiting for OIF to begin. On 19 March 2003, the Soldier's unit moved into Iraq to support OIF. He/she served in Iraq from 19 March 2003 through 30 December 2003. Is a soldier in that unit authorized the GWOTEM for time in Kuwait and the ICM for service in Iraq? Are these dates relevant or can we talk about this in terms of length of time as it is done in the answer?

A4: The Soldier qualifies for award of the GWOTEM for the time in support of OEF in Kuwait from 15 February 2003 to 18 March 2003 and qualifies for award of the ICM for the period of 19 March 2003 to 30 December 2003. The ICM is not authorized for service prior to 19 March 2003.

Q5: Is it correct that a Soldier must be serving in direct support of ONS, OEF, OIF, OFS, OIR, or OND to qualify for the GWOTEM for service in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, etc.?

A5: Yes. If a Soldier is/was not serving in direct support of ONS, OEF, OIF, OFS, OIR or OND he/she is not authorized the medal. Soldiers who deploy on GWOT orders to any of the approved AOE's for the GWOTEM are assumed to be serving in support of OEF/OIF/OND/OFS/OIR/ONS.

Q6: Can a Soldier request revocation of his/her GWOTEM and replacement with the ACM, ICM, or IRCM?

A6: Yes, the Soldier can request that his/her GWOTEM be converted to the ACM, ICM, or IRCM as appropriate. A request for an award of a campaign medal should be submitted on Department of the Army (DA) Form 4187 through the chain of command to the approval authority for decision. The approval authority should ensure that the Soldier meets the criteria for appropriate award before the conversion is approved. The approval authority for the award is at the Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Commander level, but the servicing personnel officer is authorized to render an administrative determination on the Soldier’s eligibility for campaign/service medals/ribbons.

Q7: Does a Soldier's battalion commander have authority to issue an order to revoke the GWOTEM and award the ACM?

A7: No, the Soldier's commander should not/cannot issue a “revocation order.” In accordance with (IAW) paragraph 5-33, AR 600-8-22, award of campaign/service medals like the GWOTEM or ACM are never announced via permanent orders. As a result, revocation orders cannot be produced.

Q8: A Soldier deployed in support of OIF from 30 March 2008 to 31 December 2009. During that deployment the Soldier was in Kuwait for 30 days to in-process (reception/staging) prior to movement into Iraq. Does that Soldier qualify for the GWOTEM for the time in Kuwait and also the ICM for the time in Iraq?

A8: No, under these circumstances the Soldier is being deployed in the ICM AOE. The award of the GWOTEM and/or ICM is only authorized to be made based upon the entire deployed period of service in the AOE. Staging operations in an approved area of eligibility does not qualify an individual for award of the GWOTEM.

Q9: If a Soldier arrives in the AOE of Iraq and served at least 30 consecutive days prior to 30 April 2005, can he/she be awarded the GWOTEM for that 30 consecutive days and the ICM for the next 30 consecutive days served after 30 April 2005?

A9: No, Soldiers are not authorized to divide his/her period of service into two periods. The Soldier is only authorized one award of either the GWOTEM or the ICM, but not both.

Q10: If a Soldier deployed in support of OIF from 20 March 2004 to 1 January 2005 and served in Iraq and that Soldier is deploying again to Iraq in support of OIF to serve from 31 Dec 05 to 16 May 06, can he/she be awarded the GWOTEM for the first deployment and the ICM for the second deployment?

A10: Yes, the Soldier has two deployments (two separate periods of service) within the designated AOE of Iraq. The GWOTEM can be awarded for the first deployment and the ICM for the second deployment. However, if the Soldier elects to wear the GWOTEM for the first deployment, no campaign stars are authorized for the first deployment.

Q11: If a Soldier deployed to Iraq in June 2005 and redeployed back to his/her home station in May 2006, can he/she choose the GWOTEM or ICM for service in Iraq during this time?

A11: No. The Soldier deployed after the 30 April 2005 cut-off date for the GWOTEM in Iraq. Since the GWOTEM was no longer authorized during the Soldier's tour in Iraq, he/she is only authorized the ICM.

Q12: If a Soldier deployed with his/her unit to Iraq in January 2005 and redeployed back to his/her home station in December 2005, can the Soldier select the GWOTEM for service in Iraq over the ICM, since he/she has met the cut-off date for award of the GWOTEM prior to the implementation of the ICM policy?

A12: If the Soldier served in Iraq, the Soldier has a choice of either ICM or GWOTEM since he/she met the 30 consecutive days prior to the cutoff date.

Q13: If a Soldier has a GWOTEM for a deployment during the first two campaigns for OIF, and deploys again and earns an ICM for a deployment which overlaps the second two campaigns, does the Soldier get to place all four BSS/CS on the ICM?

A13: No, if the Soldier receives the GWOTEM, and elects to keep it (Soldiers may elect to convert from the GWOTEM to the ICM or ACM), he/she cannot place campaign stars from that deployment on the ICM or ACM. In this scenario, the Soldier would wear the GWOTEM and the ICM (with 2-BSS/CS). If the Soldier elected to convert the GWOTEM to an ICM, the Soldier would then be authorized to wear the ICM (with 4-BSS/CS). Bottom line, Soldiers do not receive campaign stars for the ICM/ACM for any period for which they were awarded the GWOTEM.

Q14: A Soldier deployed originally in support of Operation Southern Watch (OSW) on 15 February 2003 and served in Kuwait. Effective 19 March 2003, the unit's mission was changed to support OIF and the unit moved into Iraq on 24 March 2003. The unit redeployed back to home station from Iraq 25 May 2003. The unit deployed again to Kuwait on 27 June 2003 to 20 August 2004. Are Service Members from that unit authorized the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM), the GWOTEM, and the ICM?

A14: The Soldier qualifies for award of the AFEM for the time in support of OSW from 15 February 2003 to 18 March 2003. The Soldier also qualifies for award of the GWOTEM or ICM for the period of 24 Mar 2003 to 25 May 2003. If the Soldier chooses the ICM for the period of service 24 March 2003 to 25 May 2003, his/her subsequent deployment, period of service from 27 June 2003 to 20 August 2004, in Kuwait can be recognized by the GWOTEM. If he/she chooses the GWOTEM, for the period of service 24 March 2003 to 25 May 2003, his/her subsequent deployment, period of service from 27 June 2003 to 20 August 2004, in Kuwait will not receive any additional campaign/service medal.

Q15: I deployed to Iraq from 27 September 2007 to 11 November 2008 and previously deployed on 22 September 2005 through 16 July 2006. Am I authorized to wear the GWOTEM or a bronze star on my ICM?

A15: You are authorized to wear the ICM with BSS. The GWOTEM is no longer authorized as of 30 April 2005 for service in Iraq or Afghanistan. Only the ICM with corresponding BSS/CS may be awarded to a Soldier in this case.

Q16: I was deployed to Operation Bright Star in 2005/2006. Would this exercise by considered in support of GWOT Operations for OIF/OEF.

A16: No. While Egypt appears on the list of approved AOEs for award of the GWOTEM, Operation Bright Star or Soldiers deployed in support of the Multinational Force and Observers are NOT considered supporting operations of GWOT, therefore the GWOTEM is not authorized to be awarded.

Q17: I have just returned from a six month deployment to Uganda in support of an operational mission with the Defense Attaché Office (DAO). Would I qualify for the GWOTEM?

A17: While assigned, if the DAO determines that your duties have been in support of GWOT operations, he or she may award you the GWOTEM.

Q18: Is the GWOTEM authorized for OND?

A18: The GWOTEM is authorized for OND as it was for OIF. This means that if you are in support of OND in an approved AOE outside of Iraq, and you meet eligibility criteria, you may be awarded the GWOTEM.

Q19: I deployed to Kuwait in 2003 in support of OIF making me eligible for the GWOTEM. I deployed to Kuwait again in 2007 support of OIF. Am I entitled to wear a BSS/CS on my GWOTEM?

A19: No, in order to wear a BSS/CS on the GWOTEM, you must have deployed in support of an operation other than OIF. If you have a subsequent deployment to a location in support of one of the eligible operations listed in paragraph 1a above other than OIF, then you will be authorized to wear the BSS/CS on the GWOTEM.

Q20: I have two deployments to Iraq, one in 2003, for which I was authorized to wear the GWOTEM, and another in 2007, for which I was authorized to wear the ICM. In 2011, I deployed to Kuwait in support of OIF. Am I entitled to wear the BSS/CS on the GWOTEM?

A20: No. The subsequent deployment to Kuwait is still in support OIF; however, if you were in Kuwait during the transition from OIF to OND then a BSS/CS is authorized.

Q21: If a Service member meets IRCM eligibility criteria (e.g. 30 days in Iraq or Syria), and during the same deployment meets GWOT-EM eligibility criteria, are the entitled to both the IRCM and GWOT-EM for the same deployment/operation?

A21: No. DoDM 1348.33-V2 states, "No Service member will be entitled to both medals [i.e. IRCM and GWOT-EM] for the same act, achievement, or period or service (i.e., deployment or tour in the designated operation area)." This policy clarification was provided by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) and supersedes any previous guidance supporting the award of more than one campaign, expeditionary, or service (CE&S) medal during the same deployment period. Redeployment on orders to a separate area of eligibility in support of another approved operation could result in a separate CE&S medal. Such occurrences are expected to be the exception and not the norm.

Response by SGT Mark Estes made Nov 18 at 2018 11:30 PM

SGT Mark Estes — Sun, 18 Nov 2018 23:30:21 -0500

I have that exact same question! I Was looking at the exact same things about a month ago that you are and couldn’t find any info.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2018 11:33 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Nov 2018 23:33:07 -0500

No you cant get a Campaign Medal for Iraq or Afghanistan with the GWOTEM. Not for the same period of service, SGT Ben Keen - see SFC Hasbun's explanation. He's spot on. I was awarded the GWOTEM during OIF II, before the Iraq Campaign Medal was authorized. During my second deployment in 2009-2010, I gave up my GWOTEM for the ICM. I was later awarded a GWOTEM for the second deployment.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 19 at 2018 6:33 AM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 06:33:59 -0500

Yes, I have both. I deployed during the invasion and then deployed agin 2004-2005 and when they came out with OIF in 2005, they gave some of our guys in Battalion a choice and Iraq was heating up then. The choice was if you did the one deployment not second you could change your GWOT-EM for Iraq. We told everyone take GWOT-EM, because you know you will be back in Iraq.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Nov 19 at 2018 7:36 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 07:36:45 -0500

The simple answer is yes. The GWOT-EM was never "blanket revoked" for those who earned ICM/ACM. What happened was that they just stopped issuing it once the ICM/ACM came out (those medals superseded it).

This means that MOST people will not wear them together (those deployed after 2005), but anyone on the initial push (those deployed 2003-2005) MIGHT have the option of wearing both, if they didn't opt to convert their GWOT-EMs over to service stars.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Nov 19 at 2018 4:47 PM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 16:47:15 -0500

Yes you can wear both. You just cannot get both for the same deployment.