How to Qualify for a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (GWOTSM) was authorized by President George W. Bush on March 12, 2003, and to honor service members who have served in the war against terrorism.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Serve in the United States armed forces.
2. Perform in a designated anti-terrorism operation for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days after Sept. 11, 2001. There is no time requirement for service members who engage in combat or get killed or wounded. You need not directly participate as long you support the operation. This effectively awards the GWOTSM to most active service members.
3. Earn the initial award of the GWOTSM by supporting the Airport Security Operation from Sept. 27, 2001 to May 31, 2002.
4. Qualify for subsequent awards of the GWOTSM for other approved operations. This includes Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Noble Eagle. Future operations that qualify for the GWOTSM will be designated by the component commanders with the approval of the Department of Defense.
5. Participate in multiple operations to receive both the GWOTSM and the Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOTEM). Both medals cannot be awarded for the same operation, however. You may be awarded the GWOTSM only once.
6. Engage in actual combat with the enemy in gravely dangerous circumstances involving serious risk of injury or death from enemy action to receive a Battle Star for the GWOTEM. A request for this award is extremely rare and must be initiated by the Combatant Command.

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