Armed Forces Service Medal — Military Decorations
Armed Forces Service Medal Medal and Ribbon Design Images
The medal is a circular bronze piece with the words "Armed Forces Service Medal" emblazoned along the edges. In the center is a lit torch with a starburst behind it.
What is the Armed Forces Service Medal Decoration?
The Armed Forces Service Medal was an award created as a catch-all for "significant activity" that may not be covered by other operations like NATO and ISAF. The term "significant activity" is decided by the theater commanders and are usually a military operation of great international interest. Actions can include peacekeeper missions. Initially considered for replacing the Armed Forces Expeditionary medal, it was decided that their reasonings were far apart that they could exist on their own. The primary difference between the two is that the Armed Forces Service Medal is given for actions that are "through which no foreign armed opposition or imminent threat of hostile action was encountered." This is the primary difference between the two.
The United States military sorts decorations into categories called Classes and Types. The Armed Forces Service Medal medal is classified as a Service Award of the type General Service Medal.
How Do You Earn the Armed Forces Service Medal?
Awarded for engaging in "significant activity" for which no other campaign or service medal is authorized.
Displaying the Armed Forces Service Medal
The Order of Precedence of the Armed Forces Service Medal is 81, and this precedence is used when placing the associated service ribbon on your uniform ribbon rack. You can see a full list of decorations in the order of precedence on the Decorations homepage.
This ribbon is worn between the Korea Defense Service Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal Associated Branches
Army |
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Navy |
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Air Force |
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Marine Corps |
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Coast Guard |
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Armed Forces Service Medal Associated Branches
Army |
|
Navy |
|
Air Force |
|
Marine Corps |
 |
Coast Guard |
|
Armed Forces Service Medal and the Stolen Valor Act
The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 is a federal law that makes it illegal for any person to falsely claim to be the recipient of certain military awards, "with the intention of obtaining money, property, or other tangible benefit by convincing another that he or she received the award".This decoration is covered by the Stolen Valor act. Fraudulently claiming to have received a Armed Forces Service Medal can result in punishment including a fine, imprisonment for not more than one year, or both
