Establishing the Armed Forces Service Medal

1996-01-18Executive Order 12985
Signed by: William J. Clinton
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Headline: Establishes Armed Forces Service Medal for Noncombat Operations

What it does: The order directs military departments to award the new Armed Forces Service Medal to eligible members for qualifying noncombat operations, with design and rules approved by the Secretary of Defense.

Real World Impact:
  • Creates a new medal for service members in qualifying noncombat operations.
  • Limits award to operations without foreign armed opposition or imminent hostile action.
  • Assigns award design and rules to the Secretary of Defense; affects Coast Guard awards.
Topics: military awards, service members, defense administration, noncombat operations

Summary

This order creates the Armed Forces Service Medal and its ribbon for members of the Armed Forces who, on or after June 1, 1992, participate in United States military operations judged to be significant but involve no foreign armed opposition or imminent hostile action.

The medal's design and awarding rules are set by the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of Transportation will award it for the Coast Guard when the Coast Guard is not operating as part of the Navy. The medal applies only when no other United States service medal is authorized.

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