The Iraq Medal of Commitment: Still in “5-Sided Asylum” Limbo
Many of you may remember an article Jonn did some time ago on the proposal by the government of Iraq to award a an “Iraq Medal of Commitment“. The new medal would go to those who served in Iraq between Mar 2003 and Dec 2011.
It seems as if DoD and the Government of Iraq are still doing the “elephant mating dance” on this one. According to an article published about 3 weeks ago (1 Apr 2013) in the Army Times,
“Since this is a foreign medal, traditionally the foreign government provides that medal to eligible members,” Lt. Cmdr. Nate Christensen, a DoD spokesman, told Military Times. “The department greatly appreciates the desire of the government of Iraq to recognize our members’ service. . . . The Department of Defense has not received the medals from the government of Iraq, as a result there are no medals available to approve or distribute at this time.”
There’s precedent both ways. During Vietnam, the US accepted multiple Vietnamese decorations and formally authorized them for wear by US troops; the same is true for decorations from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait (Gulf War), Korea (Korean War), the Philippines/France/Belgium (World War II), the UN (various), and NATO (various). But during the mid-1970s, the US rejected the Republic of Korea Service Medal when it was offered to US troops by South Korea.
I know things take a while inside the 5-sided asylum. But you think almost 2 years would be enough for someone to decide either yea or nay.
Then again, we’re still waiting on a decision regarding approval/downgrade/disapproval of CPT Swenson’s MOH for Gangjal. So maybe 2 years just isn’t enough time.
Category: Military issues, Veterans Issues
too busy trying to plan the Syrian screwup…
Probably in all-day meetings to come up with another new combat valor medal for CONUS drone operators…
While it would be nice for the Iraqi government to acknowledge the service and sacrifice of Coalition Forces in trying to help that shit hole of a country, it won’t break my heart if I never get one.
I already got what I wanted from Iraq. I came home with my life, limb, and eyesight.
Twist, you got that right brother!!!!
Twist: same here, amigo. And while it’s nice that the Government of Iraq wants to recognize folks, it’s obviously a very small item in the great scheme of things.
I just wish DoD would make a decision one way or another. It really shouldn’t take that damn long to decide a relatively minor matter like this.
Too many GWOT related medals and doohickeys floating around now anyway.
I will admit though, I’d probably wear that one and sh**can the other GWOT medals and ICM. It looks nicer, and it would mean more as a token of appreciation from the country we went in to help. But, see my 1st sentence. I have enough itty-bitty colored ribbons just for being there, and don’t care if I see another one.
Well as much as we need to see ANOTHER “been there done that” medal I’m really not holding my breath for Iraqis to be overly thankful we invaded them.
@#4, BINGO, Twist! I feel the same about my time in A-stan. Decorations are nice to have, but to me, bringing my compadres and I home alive and unscathed is just as important as getting the job done right!
Wow! Of all the things which need serious consideration, this one is bogged down somewhere?
Maybe there needs to be a committee appointed to investigate the problem. If they can manage to get past the scheduling committee.
Geez. Not another medal. It’s getting expensive… lol
Actually, I may actually wear it with pride if they give it to those who were part of the invasion and nothing else. We still don’t really have anything distinguishing the invasion… I suppose that doesn’t mean much to some, but to those who went through it it does, to a point.
Really, I could care less. I am retired and it would just go in my shadow box and cost me more money. It does look pretty cool though.
@12, I would probably extend it a little longer. I wasn’t there for the invasion, but 05-06 it was not very healthy to be an American.
This Iraq medal is as damned plug ugly as the Green and white VCM W/Device. From a Nation that since April 1975 does not exist. What purpose does it serve except to remind us all the US walked away and let the Nation get over run after investing 58,000 lives.
I recall my brother getting a certificate from the Grand PooBah of Kuwait. He showed it to Mom and she said “it looks like the kids have been coloring on it!” No The Brother told us, that’s the PooBah’s signature since he doesn’t sign anything of value to an infidel so he swiped a pink colored magic marker in the signature box.
How cool is that for risking your life?
#13: Neither was 06-07, when I got to spend my one-year sabbatical in that desert paradise…
@12 isn’t the arrowhead device authorized for wear on the ICM ? Seems like it would be for the invasion.
@16, It is a star on the ICM. They break it down by which years you were there to determine how many stars you get.
Stacy0311: unfortunately, participation in a ground invasion alone doesn’t qualify for the Arrowhead Device, even if you’re one of the lead elements. From AR 600-8-22:
7–23. Assault landing credit — Arrowhead device
a. Assault landing credit (award of the bronze arrowhead) may be made to units of the Army who, in the combat zone of a battle, campaign, or expedition as established by Joint Chiefs of Staff or DA, accomplishes one of the following types of assault operations:
(1) Makes a parachute jump into enemy-held territory as a part of an organized force carrying out an assigned tactical mission.
(2) Participates in the assault waves of an amphibious landing on enemy-held territory.
(3) Makes a helicopter assault landing into enemy-held territory as a part of an organizational force carrying out an assigned tactical mission.
You only get to wear the arrowhead device on a campaign or expeditionary medal/ribbon if (1) your unit got credit for an assault landing while you earned that campaign or expeditionary medal, and (2) you were one of the folks who made that assault. Otherwise, no arrowhead.
Currently the Army only authorizes the Arrowhead on the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (para 6-9, AR 600-8-22). Why not on the SWASM, ACM, or ICM? Dunno.
@16 – I can’t speak for the “arrowhead device”, but the bronze star device is awarded for different phases of the campaign – but you probably knew that already.
For those of you who don’t, it goes like this:
Phase 1: Liberation of Iraq – 19 Mar – 1 May ’03
Phase 2: Transition of Iraq – 2 May ’03 – 28 Jun 04
Phase 3: Iraqi Governance – 29 Jun ’04 – 15 Dec ’05
Phase 4: National Resolution – 16 Dec ’05 – 9 Jan ’07
Phase 5: Iraqi Surge – 10 Jan ’07 – to 31 Dec ’08
Phase 6: Iraqi Sovereignty – 1 Jan ’09 – 31 Aug ’10
Phase 7: New Dawn – 1 Sept ’10 – 31 Dec ’11
What is this gay shit? Is Iraq trying to get some money out of this or is the DoD thinking about having troops buy more redundant awards? I never was issued a single medal or ribbon for any of my service while in or out. There is already an Iraq campaign medal that’s enough.
Remember that the medal isn’t just for Americans. There are other countries with professional forces who aren’t quite as bedazzling as we are.
Twist, I am with you…. all I really wanted was to come home in one piece! I am retired since 09 and forgot where I put my class A’s anyway….
@13- They could extend it, I suppose. I was around in 03, 04, 05-06 and it was never healthy to be an American lol.. Either way, just another piece of cloth and metal.
#20, what war were you in, The War of 1812? RE “I never was issued a single medal or ribbon for any of my service while in or out.” So you never got a thing? Sounds like you were pushed out during basic. I don’t know about you but I have been going from one deployment to the next deployment for about 15 consecutive years.
I can’t speak for you Iraq/Afghanistan vets. I was in Vietnam. When I look at my ribbons I sigh when I see the VCM W/ the 1960- device. I think about what it cost our nation, my friends in arms and myself to have that now non existent nation’s award. The American VSM is fine for me. You don’t see bumper stickers with the VCM. You see the Vietnam Service medal ribbon. But you guys earned this Iraq award, if the Pentagon approves it, and if you choose to wear it, wear it with the pride you deserve. And thank you serving over there.
#24,
I think #20 means that the medals and ribbons he did earn were never issued to him. The only time I recall getting anything was after OSUT (Army Service Ribbon and NDSM), and when I PCS’ed to The Old Guard (anodized medals, though we had to pay for someone to build the rack to standards).
this medal looks cool and all, but i could go either way with this thing, it would be a nice token from the Iraqis, but it would also cost me a few $$$ with updating everything, the biggest thing is i just wanna know if its gonna be approved or canceled. the not knowing is what bugs me
As for the one that VP Joe Biden got, here it is
http://www.dvidshub.net/image/493644/day-commitment-ceremony
it will be ribbon/medal #9 for me.
This medal will never come unless we veterans demand it. I hear ya’ll that are saying I don’t want it or I already got the ICM/ACM, But what about our brothers in arms who died doing what their countries leaders asked them to do. I can care less if I never wear the damn thing, but walking up with that damn medal and placing it on my friends grave stones or handing it to their mothers and fathers would suffice. Simple fact is the our leaders don’t give a damn about us period. If they did, don’t you think we get more than a 1 percent raise. In 41 years its never been that low. The only reason I stay in this shit is in hopes for another war and so my wife and kids have a guaranteed paycheck every two weeks. that’s it!