RTTUZYUW RUEWMCS0031 1111202-UUUU--RUCRNAV
ZNR UUUUU
R 211202Z APR 15
FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC 
TO ALNAV 
INFO SECNAV WASHINGTON DC
CNO WASHINGTON DC
CMC WASHINGTON DC
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UNCLAS 

ALNAV 031/15 

MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/APR// 

SUBJ/AFGHANISTAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL FOR OPERATION FREEDOM'S SENTINEL// 

REF/A/LTR/UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE/13FEB2015//
REF/B/DOC/SECNAV/22AUG2006//

NARR/REF A IS UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (PERSONNEL AND READINESS) MEMO 
APPROVING OPERATION FREEDOM'S SENTINEL AS A QUALIFYING OPERATION FOR AWARD OF 
THE AFGHANISTAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL.  REF B IS SECNAVINST 1650.1H NAVY AND MARINE 
CORPS AWARDS MANUAL.//

POC/LT K. AHLER/NDBDM/LOC:  WASH DC/TEL: 202-685-8141//

RMKS/1.  Per reference (a), the qualifying Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM) 
operations, campaign phases, and associated inclusive dates are as follows: 

Operation                       Inclusive Dates
ENDURING FREEDOM                11 Sep 2001 - 31 Dec 2014
FREEDOM's SENTINEL              01 Jan 2015 - TBD

Campaign Phase                  Inclusive Dates
Liberation of Afghanistan       11 Sep 2001 - 30 Nov 2001
Consolidation I                 01 Dec 2001 - 30 Sep 2006
Consolidation II                01 Oct 2006 - 30 Nov 2009
Consolidation III               01 Dec 2009 - 30 Jun 2011
Transition I                    01 Jul 2011 - 31 Dec 2014
Transition II                   01 Jan 2015 - TBD

Qualifying ACM operations, campaign phases, and associated inclusive dates 
can also be viewed at: http://prhome.defense.gov/RFM/MPP/OEPM/Functions.aspx

2.  Campaign stars are worn on the ACM for each campaign phase in which the 
service member participated.  Only one campaign star is authorized for each 
phase.  Campaign stars designate the number of campaign phases in which a 
service member has participated and do not represent subsequent awards of the 
ACM.  The campaign star is a 3/16-inch bronze star worn on the suspension 
ribbon and ribbon bar.  A 3/16-inch silver star is worn to denote five 3/16-
inch bronze stars.  Eligibility criteria for award of the ACM contained in 
reference (b) remain unchanged.  

3.  Sailors or Marines who qualified for the Global War on Terrorism 
Expeditionary Medal (GWOTEM) for deployments to Afghanistan prior to 
1 May 2005 may still elect to receive the ACM in lieu of the GWOTEM, per 
Article 420.14 of reference (b).  Those campaign phases in which the Sailor 
or Marine participated during that deployment will be used to determine 
campaign stars for the ACM.  However, if the Sailor or Marine elected to 
retain the GWOTEM for a deployment prior to 
1 May 2005, that deployment period will not be used to determine campaign 
stars for a subsequent ACM awarded.    

4.  Administrative Procedures

    a.  Navy Personnel.  Commanding Officers exercising Navy and Marine Corps 
Achievement Medal awarding authority are authorized to award the ACM and 
campaign stars.  Commands shall make the appropriate service record entries 
and issue the medals and campaign stars.  Navy personnel attached to DoD, 
Joint, or other non-DON commands who believe they meet the eligibility 
criteria should have their command confirm eligibility and submit the 
appropriate service record documentation.  The service record entry made at 
the time of the initial award of the ACM will also serve to authorize the 
first campaign star(s).  Additional campaign stars require a subsequent 
service record entry documenting the first day of qualifying service in that 
designated phase for the ACM.  Commanding Officers whose units meet the 
criteria for the ACM must submit their unit name with start and end dates in 
the Area of Eligibility to CNO (DNS-35) for reporting to NDAWS.  The 
miniature bronze Fleet Marine Force Combat Operation emblem may be authorized 
for qualified Navy personnel who have engaged in actual combat; see Chapter 
1, Article 123 of reference (b).  
 
    b.  Marine Corps Personnel.  Unit Commanders are authorized to issue the 
ACM and campaign stars to personnel permanently assigned who meet the 
eligibility criteria.  Commands shall make appropriate entries in the MCTFS 
and service record and issue the medals and campaign stars.  Marines attached 
to DoD, Joint, or other non-DON commands shall submit confirming 
documentation to their administrative chain of command for recording in MCTFS 
and entry into their Official Military Personnel File.  The service record 
entry made at the time of the initial award will also serve to authorize the 
first campaign star(s).  Additional campaign stars require a subsequent 
service record entry documenting the first day of qualifying service in that 
designated phase for the ACM.  

5.  Released by Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy.//

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