The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) is a military campaign medal of the United States Armed Forces that recognizes service members who participated in U.S. military operations, campaigns, or expeditions abroad in a combat or non-combat capacity. The AFEM was first established by President John F. Kennedy in 1961, and has been awarded for various operations since then, including the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the War on Terror.
One of the notable features of the AFEM is that it is a custom military expedition medal, meaning that it is not a standard or universal medal that is awarded to all eligible service members automatically, but rather one that must be authorized and approved by the Department of Defense (DoD) for specific operations or campaigns. This allows the DoD to tailor the AFEM to the particular mission, theater, or time period in which the service members served, and to limit the number of awards to those who met certain criteria, such as length of service, location, or role.
For example, the AFEM may be awarded to service members who participated in a designated U.S. military operation or campaign that involves significant military activity, such as combat, direct support, or evacuation, in a foreign country or territory. The AFEM may also be awarded for service in peacekeeping, humanitarian, or disaster relief operations that involve significant hardship or risk, as well as for non-combat missions, such as embassy security, surveillance, or intelligence gathering, that require a significant presence or contribution of U.S. military personnel.
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.
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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.
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 customize your Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal 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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