Custom Medals And Pins

Custom Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) is like a special medal given to members of the U.S. military who helped in different missions outside the country. These missions could be either during a war or not during a war. It’s a bit like collecting enamel pins to remember the missions you’ve been a part of. The medal started in 1961, thanks to President John F. Kennedy. It’s been given for various missions like the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the War on Terror. 

What’s unique about this medal is that it’s not a medal that everyone gets automatically. The Department of Defense (DoD) has to say it’s okay for specific missions, a bit like collecting specific enamel pins for your jacket. This way, they can make sure the medal fits the mission and doesn’t go to too many people. They can decide who gets it based on things like how long they were there, where they were, and what they did. 

For example, you might get the AFEM, like earning a rare enamel pin, if you helped in a mission that had a lot of military action, like fighting, helping people escape, or giving direct support, in another country. You could also get it for missions that weren’t about fighting, like keeping peace, helping with disasters, guarding embassies, doing surveillance, or gathering information, but where the job was really tough or risky, and the U.S. military played a big role.

custom armed forces expeditionary medal
armed forces expeditionary medal

Design and Features of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) holds great significance for those who have served during expeditions and campaigns. This prestigious medal recognizes the bravery, sacrifice and commitment of service members and women who serve on missions outside the United States.

Design Elements

The AFEM has a round bronze medal 1 ¼ inches in diameter. On the front of the medal is a bald eagle with outstretched wings, clutching an olive branch symbolizing peace. The eagle is depicted in forward flight, representing an army ready for action. In the background, rays of light emanate from behind the eagle, symbolizing the medal recipient’s participation in a battle or expedition.

On the back of the medal is an eagle with outstretched wings, perched on a downward facing sword. The painting symbolizes the military’s commitment to keep the peace with might. Surrounding the eagle and sword are the words “ARMED FORCES EXPEDITIONARY SERVICE”, emphasizing the purpose of the medal.

Ribbons and Equipment

The color band of AFEM is predominantly golden yellow with a broad blue stripe in the middle flanked by narrow stripes of red, white, and green. The blue stripes represent united action, while the red and white stripes symbolize courage and integrity, respectively. The green stripe represents military service and excellence.

For multiple awards or additional recognition, a Star of Service or Star of Activity can be affixed to the ribbon. Each Star of Service represents an event or expedition that the recipient participated in. The stars further differentiate the accomplishments and contributions of service members and women.

Change and Movement

While the basic design of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal remains the same, there are variations between branches and specific campaigns. Each branch may display its own logo on the medallion, such as the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard logo.

AFEM has been awarded a wide range of operations and campaigns, including the Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War and various peacekeeping missions. Each activity or expedition is identified by a different ribbon attachment, allowing recipients to proudly display their participation in a particular action.

Meaning and Recognition

The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal holds great significance in military circles. It serves as a stark reminder of the sacrifice and dedication service members make during foreign operations. This medal not only represents the individual achievements of the recipients, but also represents the military’s collective efforts to maintain world peace and freedom.

In addition to the honor and pride associated with AFEM, recipients may also be entitled to certain benefits and privileges. These may include enhanced opportunities for advancement, additional veteran benefits, and increased recognition within military circles.

Custom Medals From Custom Medals And Pins

In the realm of recognition and celebration, few symbols hold as much significance as custom medals. These timeless keepsakes serve as tangible reminders of achievement, honor, and dedication. When individuals or organizations seek to honor exceptional accomplishments, they turn to the craftsmanship of Custom Medals and Pins, a renowned leader in creating bespoke medals for every occasion.

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Importance and Recognition of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

Service Recognition

The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is a powerful testament to the commitment and sacrifice made by military personnel during deployments and operations outside the United States. It recognizes their selflessness, courage, and unwavering dedication to preserving liberty and protecting national interests. AFEM recognizes the challenges military personnel and women face during combat and peacekeeping missions, ensuring their contributions are not overlooked or forgotten.

Validation of Sacrifice

Earning the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is recognition of the great sacrifices made by service members. It represents the time spent away from loved ones, the physical and emotional challenges endured, and the risks taken in serving our country. This medal is a visible reminder of personal sacrifice and a source of pride for the recipient and their family. It recognizes dedication and resilience demonstrated during challenging and often dangerous tasks.

Career Development and Opportunities

The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is significant in terms of career development and opportunities within the military. It highlights service members’ experience and commitment to duty, demonstrating their ability to perform in demanding environments. Recipients of AFEM may enjoy higher promotion prospects, higher professional training qualifications and greater leadership roles. The medal is a recognition of individual ability and can open the door to future assignments and responsibilities.

Veterans Benefits

In addition to career-related advantages, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal provides recipients with certain veteran benefits. These benefits may include access to health care services, education and training opportunities, housing assistance and various other support programs. AFEM, as evidence of personal services, can facilitate the process of obtaining these benefits. It recognizes the sacrifices made by veterans and helps ensure their well-being after military service.

Community and Peer Recognition

The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal holds great significance not only in military circles, but also among civilians. It serves as a visible reminder of the courage and dedication displayed by service members and fosters a sense of public gratitude and respect. Wearing an AFEM allows an individual’s service to be recognized and appreciated, creating a strong bond between veterans and society at large. The medal serves as a conversation starter, allowing veterans to share their experiences and educate others about the importance of military service.

How to buy an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal from Custom Medals And Pins ?

The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) is significant as a symbol of honor and recognition for military personnel who have served on expeditions and campaigns outside the United States. If you’re looking to get an AFEM to honor your service or honor a loved one, Custom Medals And Pins offer a reliable and customizable solution.

Step 1: Visit the Custom Medals and Pins website

To start your buying journey, visit the Custom Medals And Pins website at https://custommedalsandpins.com/. This user-friendly website provides all the necessary information and options to custom medals to your liking.

Step 2: Navigate to the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals section

Once on the Custom Medals And Pins website, navigate to the section dedicated to Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals. This section will provide you with detailed information about the Medal, its design, functionality and customization options.

Step 3: Choose your badge option

Custom Medals And Pins offer a variety of options to personalize your Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals. Choose the desired material, size and finish for your medal. Consider design elements and details that resonate with you, as they will play an important role in capturing the essence of your military service.

Step 4: Customize the Design

Custom Medals And Pins allow you to further customize your Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals by adding personalized engravings such as names, dates or military unit information. This adds a unique touch to your medal and enhances its personal significance.

Step 5: Review and complete your order

Review your selections carefully, including medal options and customizations you’ve made. Please ensure all details are correct before proceeding to complete your order. If you have any questions or need assistance, Custom Medals And Pins’ customer support team will be happy to assist you.

Step 6: Place your order

Once you are happy with your selection, proceed to place your order through the Custom Medals And Pins website. Follow the instructions provided to submit your order and make the necessary payments. Custom Medals And Pins accepts a variety of payment methods to ensure a convenient and secure transaction process.

Step 7: Deliver your Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

Once your order has been successfully placed, Custom Medals And Pins will begin the production process of your customized Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. The company prides itself on its commitment to quality and craftsmanship, ensuring your medals are of the highest standard. When ready, your medal will be carefully packaged and shipped to the designated address.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to receive my order?

Production Time: 12 -14days
Shipping: 4 -7days

I'm not a very good artist, can you design something for me?

Certainly! I can assist you in creating a design or providing guidance to help you achieve your desired outcome. 

To get started, please provide me with some details about what you have in mind. Let me know the purpose of the design, any specific elements or concepts you’d like to incorporate, color preferences, and any other relevant information. 

The more details you can provide, the better I can assist you in creating a design that meets your needs.

Does the medal come with a neck ribbon?

Yes, medals are often accompanied by a neck ribbon or lanyard, which allows them to be worn around the neck. The neck ribbon is typically made of a durable fabric material, such as satin or grosgrain, and is attached to the medal itself through a loop or a small ring.

The color and design of the neck ribbon can vary depending on the purpose and the organization or event associated with the medal. Common colors for neck ribbons include solid colors such as red, blue, or white, as well as multi-colored or patterned ribbons that align with the branding or theme of the event or organization.

If you are planning to have custom medals made, you can often choose the color and design of the neck ribbon to match your specific requirements.

What is the material of the medal?

Depending on the objective, financial constraints, and intended aesthetics, many materials can be used to create medals. Following are some typical materials for medals:

  • Zinc alloys: A variety of metal alloys, including brass, bronze, or zinc, are frequently used to create medals. These components provide sturdiness, weight, and a high-end feel.
  • Stainless steel: Stainless steel is renowned for its affordability, corrosion resistance, and strength. It is polishable to provide a smooth, reflective surface.
  • Precious metals: Metals like gold or silver may be used to create prominent or expensive medals. Although these materials might greatly raise the price, they do add a feeling of exclusivity and elegance.

Budget, intended purpose, and desired aesthetic appeal are just a few examples of the variables that influence material selection. To choose the best material for your medal design, take into account these criteria and your unique requirements.

Can I put extra text on or around my submitted logo?

Yes, you can put extra text on or around your submitted logo if you wish to do so. Adding text can provide additional context, a tagline, or any other relevant information that complements your logo design.

However, it’s important to consider a few factors to ensure the text doesn’t detract from the overall impact and legibility of the logo.

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