The Armed Forces Civilian Service Medal (AFCSM) is established to recognize the contributions and accomplishments of the U.S. Department of Defense civilian workforce

Awards and decorations of the United States government

Awards and decorations of the United States government are civilian awards of the U.S. federal government which are typically issued for sustained meritorious service, in a civilian capacity, while serving in the U.S. federal government. Certain U.S...

 who directly support the military forces, when those members are engaged in military operations of a prolonged peacekeeping or humanitarian nature. The AFCSM symbolizes the importance the Department of Defense attaches to civilian service and recognizes the value of civilian service in helping to accomplish the U.S. Government's objectives. This award honors those employees who support designated operations under the same or similar conditions as U.S. military members, thereby strengthening the partnership between the civilian services and uniformed services.

Eligibility

The award is approved for issuance to eligible civilian employees as defined in Section 2105 of Title 5, United States Code

Title 5 of the United States Code

Title 5 of the United States Code outlines the role of government organization and employees in the United States Code. It also is the Title that specifies Federal holidays .* Part I: The Agencies Generally...

, who would be eligible for awards under DOD 1400.25-M, "Department of Defense Civilian Personnel Manual (CPM)", including non-appropriated fund employees. In most cases, that means that if an employee is eligible for other Army honorary awards, they would also be eligible to receive the AFCSM.

Criteria

1. In order to qualify for the medal, civilians must have been involved in direct support of the Armed Forces and must meet other specific criteria pertaining to the duration of the support in a specifically designated military operation beginning on or after 1 June 1992. To date, the designated operations are the following: Former Republic of Yugoslavia Operations (Maritime Monitor, Provide Promise
   Operation Provide Promise
   Operation Provide Promise was a humanitarian relief operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Yugoslav Wars, from 2 July 1992, to 9 January 1996, which made it the longest running humanitarian airlift in history....
   
   , Deny Flight, Sharp Guard, Able Sentry, Joint Endeavor, Joint Guard, and Joint Forge); Haiti Operations (UN Mission in Haiti, US Forces Haiti, and US Support Group Haiti); and Provide Comfort
   Operation Provide Comfort
   Operation Provide Comfort and Provide Comfort II were military operations by the United States and some of its Gulf War allies, starting in April 1991, to defend Kurds fleeing their homes in northern Iraq in the aftermath of the Persian Gulf War and deliver humanitarian aid to them.-Operation...
   
   .
2. As a general rule, when the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has approved issuance of the Armed Forces Service Medal
   Armed Forces Service Medal
   The Armed Forces Service Medal is a military award of the United States military which was created on January 11, 1996 by President Bill Clinton under...
   
   (AFSM) for military participation in humanitarian or peacekeeping operations, the AFCSM may be awarded for the same operation. The medal was awarded for Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita support.
3. Employees must be engaged in direct support of the military for 30 consecutive days in the area of eligibility or for the full period when an operation is of less than 30 days in a military operation awarded the AFSM.
4. Alternatively, the employee would qualify for the medal by providing direct support for 60 non-consecutive days in an AFSM operation provided this support involves the employee entering the areas of eligibility. The areas of eligibility are the same as designated for approved AFSM military operations, specifically:

1. The foreign territory on which military troops have actually landed or are present and specifically deployed for the operation;
2. Adjacent water areas in which ships are operating, patrolling, or providing direct support of the operation; and
3. The air space above and adjacent to the area in which an operation is being conducted.

AFCSM is a "Theater" Award

Any eligible civilian employee who has been in the theater of operations and meets the other qualifying criteria is eligible for the award. Although the beginning date for the award has been established, the ending date has not yet been determined. No more than one AFCSM medal may be awarded to any one civilian employee. Participation in subsequent eligible operations may be acknowledged with a certificate and/or a 3/16 Bronze Service Star. A contribution to or support of an AFSM military operation by employees assigned to remotely located activities, that is, outside the areas of eligibility, is not justification for award of the AFCSM. Such performance or contribution, if merited, may be acknowledged by other appropriate recognition.

Responsibility and approval

Major Army Commanders and Principal HQDA Staff Agency Heads are authorized to grant the medal. This authority may be redelegated.

See also

• Awards and decorations of the United States government
  Awards and decorations of the United States government
  Awards and decorations of the United States government are civilian awards of the U.S. federal government which are typically issued for sustained meritorious service, in a civilian capacity, while serving in the U.S. federal government. Certain U.S...
  
  
• Armed Forces Service Medal
  Armed Forces Service Medal
  The Armed Forces Service Medal is a military award of the United States military which was created on January 11, 1996 by President Bill Clinton under...
  
  
• Global War on Terrorism Civilian Service Medal