Expanding Eligibility for the Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Expands Medal Eligibility to Friendly Foreign Military Members
What it does
The order amends Executive Order 12019 to allow members of friendly foreign armed forces to receive the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.
Real-world impact
- Makes members of friendly foreign militaries eligible for a U.S. military medal.
- Changes official eligibility wording for the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.
Topics
Summary
This executive order changes the rules for who can receive the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. It inserts language into a prior order so that the medal may be awarded not only to members of the Armed Forces of the United States but also to members of the armed forces of a friendly foreign nation.
The change affects military award procedures and makes members of friendly foreign militaries explicitly eligible for this U.S. military honor. The order only amends the eligibility wording and adds no timeline.
Questions, answered
Ask questions about this executive order and its implications. Try:
- “What agencies are affected by this order?”
- “How does this order change existing policy?”
- “What are the practical implications of this order?”