Afghanistan Campaign Medal
The Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM) recognizes members of the United States Armed Forces who served in direct support of military operations within Afghanistan. Established in 2004, the medal honors service members who deployed to one of the longest military conflicts in U.S. history and participated in combat, security, counterterrorism, and stability operations.
The Afghanistan Campaign Medal is awarded to eligible personnel who served within the designated area of eligibility during approved campaign periods. Additional participation in separate campaigns is recognized through bronze or silver campaign stars worn on the medal’s ribbon.
History of the Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the United States launched Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan on October 7, 2001. Initially, service members received the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOT-EM) for qualifying deployments.
To better recognize service specifically performed in Afghanistan, the Department of Defense established the Afghanistan Campaign Medal on November 29, 2004.
Military personnel who previously received the GWOT Expeditionary Medal for the same deployment could request the Afghanistan Campaign Medal instead, but they could not receive both awards for the identical period of service.
Who Is Eligible?
The Afghanistan Campaign Medal may be awarded to members of:
- U.S. Army
- U.S. Marine Corps
- U.S. Navy
- U.S. Air Force
- U.S. Coast Guard
- U.S. Space Force (when applicable)
Eligibility generally requires service:
- Within Afghanistan
- In direct support of approved military operations
- During designated eligibility dates
- For the required number of consecutive or non-consecutive days unless engaged in combat, wounded, or medically evacuated
Certain aircrew members supporting operations may also qualify under established Department of Defense guidelines.
Eligibility Dates
The Afghanistan Campaign Medal recognizes qualifying military service from:
October 24, 2001
through
August 30, 2021
These dates encompass nearly two decades of U.S. military operations in Afghanistan.
Area of Eligibility
Qualifying service must occur within:
- Afghanistan
- Afghan airspace
- Approved adjoining areas when authorized by military regulations
Service performed outside the designated area generally does not qualify unless specifically authorized.
Campaign Stars
The Afghanistan Campaign Medal authorizes campaign stars for participation in officially designated military campaigns.
Each campaign earns:
- One bronze campaign star
Five bronze stars are replaced by:
- One silver campaign star
Examples of campaign phases include:
- Liberation of Afghanistan
- Consolidation I
- Consolidation II
- Consolidation III
- Transition I
- Transition II
- Transition III
Official military records determine campaign participation.
Medal Design
The Afghanistan Campaign Medal is struck in bronze.
The front features mountain ranges symbolizing Afghanistan’s rugged terrain along with military imagery representing service and sacrifice.
The reverse displays the American eagle standing above a shield surrounded by laurel branches, a design shared with several U.S. campaign medals.
The ribbon contains:
- Light Blue
- White
- Red
- Green
- Black
The colors represent the nation, its landscape, and the military campaign.
Difference Between the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Many veterans deployed early in Operation Enduring Freedom are eligible for only one award for the same deployment.
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
- Specifically recognizes service performed in Afghanistan
- Authorizes campaign stars
- Covers designated Afghanistan operations
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
- Covers multiple overseas operations
- Broader expeditionary eligibility
- Cannot be awarded for the same Afghanistan deployment if the Afghanistan Campaign Medal is chosen
Veterans who originally received the GWOT Expeditionary Medal for Afghanistan were permitted to exchange it for the Afghanistan Campaign Medal if eligible.
Order of Precedence
The Afghanistan Campaign Medal is worn according to the official U.S. military order of precedence and is positioned among other U.S. campaign medals based on current military regulations.
Significance of the Medal
The Afghanistan Campaign Medal honors the service of hundreds of thousands of American military personnel who served during one of the nation’s longest wars. Recipients include combat troops, aviation units, special operations forces, medical personnel, engineers, logistics specialists, and many others who supported military operations across Afghanistan.
For veterans and their families, the medal represents dedication, sacrifice, and service during a historic military campaign.