Defense and national security

Executive Order 12985: Establishing the Armed Forces Service Medal

President: Bill Clinton

Created the Armed Forces Service Medal for significant United States operations involving no foreign armed opposition or imminent hostile action.

Status: In effect as amended.

Is Executive Order 12985 still in effect? Yes. Active as amended; the medal remains part of the military awards system.

What does Executive Order 12985 do?

EO 12985 established the Armed Forces Service Medal for members participating on or after June 1, 1992 in significant United States military operations where no foreign armed opposition or imminent hostile action was encountered. It is used only when no other United States service medal is approved, with one medal per person and devices for later qualifying operations. EO 13286 updated the Coast Guard department reference, and current Defense awards rules continue the medal.

Administration position: The medal recognizes participation in qualifying operations; it is not a combat decoration and eligibility depends on designated operations and service criteria.
SignedJanuary 11, 1996
Eligibility startJune 1, 1992
Award authorityDefense and Coast Guard authorities

Before and after

Before the order

No general service medal filled this precise gap between routine duty, humanitarian service and armed opposition.

After the order

Defense could recognize significant noncombat operations under uniform rules.

Who had to do what

Agency / officeActionTiming / position
Joint Chiefs of StaffDetermine significant qualifying operationsAs operations arise
Defense SecretaryApprove design and uniform regulationsContinuing
Military departmentsDetermine individual eligibility and award the medalFor designated operations

What happened next

Earliest service date made eligible.

EO 12985 created the medal.

EO 13286 updated the Coast Guard reference.

The medal remained in current Defense awards guidance.