Armed Forces Civilian Service Medal

Armed Forces Civilian Service Medal
Armed Forces Civilian Service Medal
	The Armed Forces Civilian Service Medal (AFCSM)
Type	Service medal
Awarded for	Direct support of military forces, whose members are engaged in military operations of a prolonged peacekeeping or humanitarian nature.
Presented by	the U.S. Department of Defense
Eligibility	Civilian personnel
First awarded	22 August 1997
	Ribbon for the Armed Forces Civilian Service Medal
Precedence
Next (higher)	Secretary of the Army Award for Outstanding Achievement in Materiel Acquisition
Equivalent	Armed Forces Service Medal

Last updated February 13, 2023

The Armed Forces Civilian Service Medal (AFCSM) is established to recognize the contributions and accomplishments of the U.S. Department of Defense civilian workforce who directly support the military forces, when those members are engaged in military operations of a prolonged peacekeeping or humanitarian nature. The AFCSM symbolizes the importance the Department of Defense attaches to civilian service and recognizes the value of civilian service in helping to accomplish the U.S. Government's objectives. This award honors those employees who support designated operations under the same or similar conditions as U.S. military members, thereby strengthening the partnership between the civilian services and uniformed services.

Eligibility

The award is approved for issuance to eligible civilian employees as defined in Title 5 U.S.C. § 2105 who would be eligible for awards under DOD 1400.25-M, "Department of Defense Civilian Personnel Manual (CPM)", including non-appropriated fund employees. In most cases, that means that if an employee is eligible for other Army honorary awards, they would also be eligible to receive the AFCSM.^[2] In the September 14, 2020 Under Secretary of Defense Memorandum, Under Secretary Matthew Donovon extended the June 30, 2020 USD Memorandum to include civilians performing duties related to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Criteria

Any eligible civilian employee who has been in the theater of operations and meets the other qualifying criteria is eligible for the award. Qualifying operations must have occurred after 1 June 1992, the ending date has yet to be determined. No more than one AFCSM medal may be awarded to any one civilian employee. A contribution to or support of an AFSM military operation by employees assigned to locations outside the areas of eligibility, are not eligible for award of the AFCSM. Such performance or contribution, if merited, may be acknowledged by other appropriate recognition.^[2]

Further qualifications are as follows:^[2]

Civilians must have been involved in direct support of the Armed Forces in a specifically designated military operation beginning on or after 1 June 1992. To date, the designated operations are the following: Former Republic of Yugoslavia Operations (Maritime Monitor, Provide Promise, Deny Flight, Sharp Guard, Able Sentry, Joint Endeavor, Joint Guard, and Joint Forge); Haiti Operations (UN Mission in Haiti, US Forces Haiti, and US Support Group Haiti); and Provide Comfort.
As a general rule, when the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has approved issuance of the Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM) for military participation in humanitarian or peacekeeping operations, the AFCSM may be awarded for the same operation.
Employees must be engaged in direct support of the military for 30 consecutive days in the area of eligibility or for the full period when an operation is of less than 30 days in a military operation awarded the AFSM.
The employee may also qualify for the medal by providing direct support for 60 non-consecutive days in an AFSM operation provided this support involves the employee entering the areas of eligibility. The areas of eligibility are the same as designated for approved AFSM military operations, specifically:

The foreign territory on which military troops have actually landed or are present and specifically deployed for the operation;
Adjacent water areas in which ships are operating, patrolling, or providing direct support of the operation; and
The air space above and adjacent to the area in which an operation is being conducted.

Appearance

The medal is circular, made of bronze color metal. The medal is 1 3/8 inches (34.9 mm) in diameter. The obverse depicts a torch, like that held by the Statue of Liberty, superimposed upon a burst of rays. The torch is surrounded by a scroll inscribed SUPPORTING FREEDOM and further enveloped by a laurel wreath tied with a ribbon at its base. On the reverse are three crossed arrows, points up, and the inscription ARMED FORCES CIVILIAN SERVICE MEDAL.

The medal is suspended from a ribbon 1 3/8 in. wide with a 3/8" center stripe of jungle green and 1/4" bluebird edges. Flanking the center strip are 1/8" stripes of goldenlight and mosstone.^[1]

Subsequent awards of the medal are recognized by Bronze Service Stars.^[3]

Related Research Articles

The United States Armed Forces awards and decorations are primarily the medals, service ribbons, and specific badges which recognize military service and personal accomplishments while a member of the U.S. Armed Forces. Such awards are a means to outwardly display the highlights of a service member's career.

The Defense Meritorious Service Medal (DMSM) is an award bestowed upon members of the United States military by the United States Department of Defense. In the order of precedence of the United States Armed Forces, it is worn between the Purple Heart and the Meritorious Service Medal. The medal is awarded in the name of the Secretary of Defense to members of the Armed Forces who, while serving in a joint activity, distinguish themselves by non-combat outstanding achievement or meritorious service, but not of a degree to warrant award of the Defense Superior Service Medal.

The Humanitarian Service Medal (HSM) is a military service medal of the United States Armed Forces which was created on January 19, 1977 by President Gerald Ford under Executive Order 11965. The medal may be awarded to members of the United States military who distinguish themselves by meritorious participation in specified military acts or operations of a humanitarian nature.

The Vietnam Service Medal is a military award of the United States Armed Forces established on 8 July 1965 by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The medal is awarded to recognize service during the Vietnam War by all members of the U.S. Armed Forces provided they meet the award requirements.

A "V" device is a metal 1⁄4-inch (6.4 mm) capital letter "V" with serifs which, when worn on certain decorations awarded by the United States Armed Forces, distinguishes an award for heroism or valor in combat instead of for meritorious service or achievement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Service star</span> Military decoration

A service star is a miniature bronze or silver five-pointed star 3⁄16 inch in diameter that is authorized to be worn by members of the eight uniformed services of the United States on medals and ribbons to denote an additional award or service period. The service star may also be referred to as a campaign star or battle star depending on which award the star is authorized for and the manner in which the device is used for the award.

The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) is a military award of the United States Armed Forces, which was first created in 1961 by Executive Order of President John Kennedy. The medal is awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who, after July 1, 1958, participated in U.S. military operations, U.S. operations in direct support of the United Nations, or U.S. operations of assistance for friendly foreign nations.

The American Defense Service Medal was a military award of the United States Armed Forces, established by Executive Order 8808, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, on June 28, 1941. The medal was intended to recognize those military service members who had served on active duty between September 8, 1939, and December 7, 1941.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Armed Forces Reserve Medal</span> United States military service award

The Armed Forces Reserve Medal (AFRM) is a service medal of the United States Armed Forces that has existed since 1950. The medal recognizes service performed by members of the reserve components and is awarded to both officers and enlisted personnel. The medal is considered a successor award to the Naval Reserve Medal and the Marine Corps Reserve Ribbon, which were discontinued in 1958 and 1967, respectively.

The Kosovo Campaign Medal (KCM) is a military award of the United States Armed Forces established by Executive Order 13154 of President Bill Clinton on May 3, 2000. The medal recognizes military service performed in Kosovo from March 24, 1999 through December 31, 2013.

The Medal for Humane Action is a military award of the United States Armed Forces which was created by an act of the United States Congress on July 20, 1949. The medal recognizes those military service members who performed extended duty in support of the Berlin Airlift. The medal is based on the design of the Berlin Airlift Device.

The Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM) is a military award of the United States military that was created on January 11, 1996, by President Bill Clinton under Executive Order 12985. The AFSM is a deployed service medal that is presented to those service members who engage in "significant activity" for which no other U.S. campaign or service medal is authorized.

A United Nations Medal is an international decoration awarded by the United Nations (UN) to the various world countries members for participation in joint international military and police operations such as peacekeeping, humanitarian efforts, and disaster relief. The medal is ranked in militaries and police forces as a service medal. The United Nations awarded its first medal during the Korean War (1950–1953). Since 1955, many additional United Nations medals have been created and awarded for participation in various United Nations missions and actions around the world.

The NATO Medal is an international military decoration which is awarded to various militaries of the world under the authority of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). It is manufactured by Eekelers-Centini Intl, of Hemiksem, Belgium.

Awards and decorations of the United States Army are those military awards including decorations which are issued to members of the United States Army under the authority of the Secretary of the Army. Together with military badges such awards provide an outward display of a service member's accomplishments.

Awards and decorations of the United States Merchant Marine are civilian decorations of the United States which are issued to the members of the United States Merchant Marine for a variety of duties both in peace and war. Originally authorized to be issued by the War Shipping Administration of the World War II era, these awards were later issued by the Maritime Commission and are currently issued by the Department of Transportation's Martitime Administration.

Awards and decorations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines are military decorations which recognize service and personal accomplishments while a member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Secretary of Defense Medal for the Global War on Terrorism</span> Award

The Secretary of Defense Medal for the Global War on Terrorism or Global War on Terrorism Civilian Service Medal is a medal awarded by the United States Department of Defense. It was authorized on August 9, 2007, but may be awarded for expeditionary service in a Global War on Terrorism mission in a combat zone on or after September 11, 2001, until a date to be determined.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Defensive memorial cordon</span>

The Defensive memorial cordon (防衛記念章) is the decoration for officers in the Japan Self-Defense Forces. Officials may wear it on their uniforms while in active service. They are only cordons like the Unit Awards and the Unit Citations of United States Armed Forces.

Awards and decorationsof the Texas Military are medals, ribbons, badges, tabs, trophies, plaques, certificates, memorials, and monuments that recognize service and achievement while serving in the Texas Military Forces.

References

1 2 3 "Armed Forces Civilian Service Medal". The Institute of Heraldry. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
1 2 3 "Armed Forces Civilian Service Medal". Personnel Management Information and Support System. Department of the Army. Archived from the original on 15 February 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
↑ "Army Regulation 672–20 Decorations, Awards, and Honors Incentive Awards" (PDF). Department of the Army. 29 January 1999. p. 12. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 February 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2013.

Bibliography

Foster, Frank C. (2002). A complete guide to all United States military medals, 1939 to present. Fountain Inn, S.C.: MOA Press. ISBN 1-884-45218-3. OCLC 54755134.

Kerrigan, Evans E. (1971). American war medals and decorations . New York: Viking Press. ISBN 0-670-12101-0. OCLC 128058.

Kerrigan, Evans E. (1990). American medals and decorations . Noroton Heights, CT: Medallic. ISBN 0-792-45082-5. OCLC 21467942.

Robles, Philip K. (1971). United States military medals and ribbons . Rutland, VT: C. E. Tuttle. ISBN 0-804-80048-0. OCLC 199721.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[tioh-1] 1 2 3 "Armed Forces Civilian Service Medal". The Institute of Heraldry. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2013.

[cpol-2] 1 2 3 "Armed Forces Civilian Service Medal". Personnel Management Information and Support System. Department of the Army. Archived from the original on 15 February 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2013.

[3] "Army Regulation 672–20 Decorations, Awards, and Honors Incentive Awards" (PDF). Department of the Army. 29 January 1999. p. 12. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 February 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2013.

[1]

[2]

[3]