quote:

Global War on Terrorism
Service Medal (GWOTSM)

Awarded to Soldiers who have served in military operations to combat terrorism since 11 September 2001

Automatically eligible if serving in the military between 11 SEP 01 and 31 MAR 04

After Mar 04, Battalion Commanders (award approval authority), must determine that a Soldier serving on active duty has qualified for the GWOTSM

Soldiers cannot be awarded the GWOTEM and/or Armed Forces Service Medal for the same period of time when awarded the GWOTSM

quote:

Question 6: Are Soldiers who have just graduated AIT automatically ent i tled to the GWOTSM?

Answer 6: Negative, Soldiers serving on active duty primarily in a training status (basic training, advanced individual training, officer training courses, etc…) are not authorized award of the GWOTSM for the active duty time they are in training.
The criteria for the awards specifically states that a Soldier has to serve on active duty in support of a designated GWOT operation (ONE, OEF and OIF) for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days. Soldiers in a training status are “not” supporting these designated operations.

quote:

Question 7: When is an active duty Solder who has just graduated AIT authorized to be awarded the GWOTSM? When can a Reserve Component Soldier who has just graduated AIT authorized to be awarded the GWOTSM?

Answer 7: An “active duty” Soldier who has just graduated AIT may be awarded the GWOTSM after they have served 30 consecutive days (after graduation) and their battalion commander makes the determination that they meet the medal criteria.
A Reserve Component Soldier who has just graduated AIT may be awarded the GWOTSM when they are mobilized onto active duty in support of GWOT and served 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days outside the AOE for the GWOTEM/ICM/ACM, and their battalion commander has made the determination that they meet the medal criteria.

quote:

Question 3: Are soldiers called-up under State Active Duty (SAD) orders authorized to be awarded the GWOTSM?

Answer 3: Negative. Only Reserve Component Soldiers called up under State Active Duty (SAD) orders in support of Airport Security operations from 27 Sep 01 through 31 May 02 are also authorized award of the GWOTSM. Soldiers called up under SAD after or before this time period are not authorized the award.

Question 4: Are Reserve or Active Component Soldiers on active duty primarily for training authorized to be awarded the GWOTSM? What about soldiers on Active duty for Training (ADT) orders?

Answer 4: Negative. Soldiers serving on active duty primarily for training in Initial Entry Training (IET) or Basic Training (BT), Advanced Individual Training (AIT), and/or for Annual Training (AT), Officer training courses, Warrant Officer training courses, and/or any training not in direct support of the GWOT operations are not authorized award of the GWOTSM.

quote:

for the 90 day mobilization period prior to deployment

quote:

Question 8: My unit mobilized for 28 days before deploying to theater. We became eligible for the GWOTEM in theater. We left theater and were REFRADed 28 days later. Based on this, I determined that we did not meet either the 30-day consecutive or the 60-day nonconsecutive criteria for the GWOTSM, and were only eligible for the GWOTEM. However, all members of the unit were on active duty for 7 to 21 days immediately prior to our mobilization. We were in an Annual Training status for the express purpose of preparing for mobilization (equipment and personnel readiness). This was in direct support of GWOT, as opposed to a general training mission. The last day of the AT orders was the day immediately preceding the mobilization order. Taking this into account, each individual has 35 to 49 continuous days of active duty ISO GWOT before entering the GWOTEM AOE. Would they be eligible for the GWOTSM under these circumstances?

Answer 8: If the AT time was in support of GWOT, the Soldiers LTC Commander can make the determination on whether that AT time meets the criteria for the medal and award the decoration accordingly.

quote:

If the AT time was in support of GWOT, the Soldiers LTC Commander can make the determination on whether that AT time meets the criteria for the medal and award the decoration accordingly.

quote:

Originally posted by WiFiWarrior:
I heard somewhere that the GWOTSM was no longer automatic after AIT. I had heard that you had to be ***igned to a unit actively supporting the war on terrorism, basically rear D. So I checked my Soldiers' ERB's who came to us straight out of AIT. Sure enough it's not on their ERB. They said they were given them anyway and wore them for their AIT graduation.

quote:

Global War on Terrorism
Service Medal (GWOTSM)

Awarded to Soldiers who have served in military operations to combat terrorism since 11 September 2001

Automatically eligible if serving in the military between 11 SEP 01 and 31 MAR 04

After Mar 04, Battalion Commanders (award approval authority), must determine that a Soldier serving on active duty has qualified for the GWOTSM

Soldiers cannot be awarded the GWOTEM and/or Armed Forces Service Medal for the same period of time when awarded the GWOTSM

According to what I've found you have to have served at least 30 days in a unit actively parti****ting in the GWOT. It is not automatic upon completion of AIT. No real point to me posting this other than an FYI.

quote:

Originally posted by brak97:

Okay, the criteria has changed then.

quote:

Originally posted by WiFiWarrior:
The Soldiers assigned to me in my squad were given the GWOTSM at AIT graduation even though it wasn't on the ERB. Apparently everyone hasn't gotten the memo.