Type Campaign medal Status Active | Eligibility 15 June 2014 – present | |
 | ||
Established 30 March 2016 (2016-03-30) First awarded April 2016 (retroactive to 15 June 2014) | ||
The Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal is a United States Department of Defense service award and campaign medal. The medal was established by Executive Order on 30 March 2016 by U.S. President Barack Obama. The medal may be awarded to members of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard for service in Iraq, Syria, or contiguous waters or airspace retroactively from 15 June 2014 to a date yet to be determined. Service members who were awarded the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal for service that is now covered by the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal may make application to be awarded the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal in lieu of the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. No service member will be entitled to the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, or Afghanistan Campaign Medal for the same action, time period, or service.
Contents
Symbolism
According to the United States Army Institute of Heraldry's website, the medal's mailed fist and dagger represent "strength and courage in the defense of liberty and freedom". The scorpion being impaled was chosen because, "The scorpion, symbolic for treachery and destruction, is found on most major land masses."
The center of the ribbon is orange in color, surrounded by tan and blue, deriving its hues from the Ishtar Gate and the color of Southwestern Eurasian topography, which is primarily sand.
Criteria
To qualify for the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, personnel must have been based in Iraq or Syria, fly missions over those countries, and/or serve in contiguous waters for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days. Service members who were killed or were medically evacuated from those countries due to wounds or injuries immediately qualify for the award, as do members who engaged in combat.
Eligible personnel will be awarded one medal upon meeting the initial criteria for the award.
Campaign phases
There are two designated campaign phases:
Ribbon devices
Three ribbon devices are authorized for wear on the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal: