Campaign, Expeditionary, and Service Medals (CE&S)

Start Here If You Are New to CE&S Awards

You deployed to Afghanistan. You went to sea on a MEU. You served three years without a Page 11. You wear ribbons on your rack you did not nominate yourself for, but the awards landed in your record automatically. Those are CE&S awards (Campaign, Expeditionary, and Service awards), the third category of awards in the Marine Corps system.

CE&S awards differ from PMDs and unit awards in a fundamental way. CE&S awards are tied to where you served, when you served, and how long. Most CE&S awards do not require a nomination. Your records show you meet the criteria, and the award posts automatically. This page walks you through the CE&S category from your seat as a General Marine. By the end you will know.

• What CE&S awards are and where they sit in the awards system
• The major CE&S awards Marines see most often
• The automatic posting flow versus the few CE&S awards requiring nomination
• The rules on service stars, devices, and clasps
• How to verify the CE&S awards in your record match your service history
• The one CE&S award you self-nominate (MOVSM)
• The Mexican Border Defense Medal (MBDM) established by the Secretary of War per MARADMIN 233/26MARADMIN 233/26 (POA from 20 January 2025, 100 nm AOE along the Mexican border, 30-day qualifying service, one award per individual, no devices, worn immediately after the Korea Defense Service Medal)
• The retroactive AFSM-to-MBDM election framework for CBP support between 20 January 2025 and 13 August 2025

Every fact on this page comes from SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 Chapter 4 (and the individual award tabs in Appendix 4A), MCO 1650.19JMCO 1650.19J w/ CH 1, MARADMIN 077/25MARADMIN 077/25, MARADMIN 398/10MARADMIN 398/10 (covering the Humanitarian Service Medal direct-participation rule), MARADMIN 233/26MARADMIN 233/26 (Mexican Border Defense Medal), and current MMPB-3 Military Awards Section guidance.

What CE&S Awards Are

Per SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 paragraph 1.2.a.(3), CE&S awards recognize individuals for participation in significant military operations or otherwise unique or arduous service. They are different from Personal Military Decorations (PMDs), which recognize individual valor or meritorious service, and different from Unit Decorations, which recognize units for collective service.

Per paragraph 1.2.b.(3), most CE&S awards do not require a nomination. The Marine qualifies if their records show they meet the criteria. The Unit Diary entry triggers posting to MCTFS automatically. The narrow exception is the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (MOVSM), which a Marine self-nominates. The MOVSM page on this site covers MOVSM in detail.

CE&S awards sit below personal decorations and unit awards in the order of precedence on the awards rack. Within CE&S, the awards have their own internal ordering per the SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 Chapter 4 sequence and DoD-wide CE&S precedence rules.

Why CE&S Awards Matter to You

CE&S awards tell your service story. Where you went. When you went. How long you served. The story is permanent and follows you to the DD-214.

• Your awards rack signals deployment history and service breadth at a glance.
• Your DD-214 reflects the CE&S awards by code, which the VA, civilian employers, and federal hiring panels use to verify combat service, sea service, and operational experience.
• Specific CE&S awards (Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon, Marine Corps Combat Instructor Ribbon) signal completion of arduous tour requirements, which carry weight at promotion boards.
• The Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal signals three years of clean active service per qualifying period and is one of the strongest baseline indicators on a junior Marine's rack.

The Major CE&S Awards Marines See

Per SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 Appendix 4A, the CE&S awards Marines see most often (in approximate order of precedence within CE&S).

Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM)

Per Tab 1. Recognizes service in Afghanistan or contiguous waters/airspace from 24 October 2001 forward (with the qualifying-area definitions in the tab). Service stars denote subsequent qualifying periods.

Per Tab 1 paragraph e, Service Members awarded the GWOTEM for service in Afghanistan between 11 September 2001 and 30 April 2005 are allowed to keep the GWOTEM or to elect the ACM in lieu. The GWOTEM is no longer authorized for service in Afghanistan on or after 1 May 2005.

Iraq Campaign Medal (ICM)

Per Tab 2. Recognizes service in Iraq or contiguous waters/airspace from 19 March 2003 to 31 December 2011 (Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn). Service stars denote subsequent qualifying periods.

Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal (IRCM)

Per the relevant tab, MARADMIN 692/20MARADMIN 692/20 paragraph 3, and MARADMIN 379/22MARADMIN 379/22 paragraph 5. Recognizes service in support of Operation Inherent Resolve from 15 June 2014 forward. Service stars denote subsequent qualifying periods.

Per MARADMIN 692/20MARADMIN 692/20 paragraph 3.a, the IRCM has three campaign phases.

• Abeyance. 15 June 2014 to 24 November 2015.
• Intensification. 25 November 2015 to 14 April 2017.
• Defeat. 15 April 2017 to TBD (subject to scope reductions below).

Per MARADMIN 379/22MARADMIN 379/22 paragraph 5.a, effective 1 July 2022, eligibility for the IRCM limited to the country of Syria and its associated airspace and contiguous waters out to 12 nautical miles. The Iraq portion was extended through 31 December 2022 per MARADMIN 637/22MARADMIN 637/22 paragraph 1, then closed. Marines who deployed to Syria post-1 July 2022 are eligible for the IRCM. Marines who deployed to Iraq for OIR before 1 January 2023 are eligible under the prior IRCM scope.

Marine Security Guards at U.S. Embassies Baghdad and Erbil

Per MARADMIN 692/20MARADMIN 692/20 paragraph 3.a, the CMC determined that Marine Security Guards (MSG) at the U.S. Embassies in Baghdad and Erbil, Iraq are in support of OIR and therefore eligible for the IRCM. Only Marines permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for 30 days (consecutive or non-consecutive) to MSG Detachments Baghdad and Erbil during one of the campaign phases listed above qualify.

Per MARADMIN 692/20MARADMIN 692/20 paragraph 3.b, Commanding Officers are authorized to issue the medal and make appropriate Unit Diary entries for Marines meeting the eligibility criteria. Marines who have retired or discharged without further obligated service submit Standard Form (SF) 180 for the medal and DD-214 update through the channels listed below in the verification routing.

Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOT-EM)

Per Tab 6 and MARADMIN 637/22MARADMIN 637/22. Recognizes deployment outside U.S. territory in support of GWOT operations not specifically covered by the ACM or ICM.

Per MARADMIN 637/22MARADMIN 637/22 paragraph 2, effective 1 January 2023, GWOT-EM is authorized for Service members deployed to Iraq for Operation Inherent Resolve. The transition reflects the closure of IRCM eligibility for Iraq at the end of 2022. Marines deploying to Iraq for OIR on or after 1 January 2023 receive the GWOT-EM, not the IRCM.

Per MARADMIN 637/22MARADMIN 637/22 paragraph 3, the full list of designated operations authorized for GWOT-EM and the associated areas of eligibility is at https://prhome.defense.gov/M-RA/Inside-M-RA/MPP/OEPM/.

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (GWOT-SM)

Per Tab 7 and MARADMIN 379/22MARADMIN 379/22 paragraph 4. Recognizes service in support of GWOT operations.

Per MARADMIN 379/22MARADMIN 379/22 paragraph 4.a, effective 11 September 2022, eligibility for the GWOT-SM is limited to Service members who directly serve in a designated military counter-terrorism (CT) operation for a minimum of 30 days (consecutive or non-consecutive). Qualifying conditions include.

• Deployed on orders for a designated CT operation, OR
• Directly supported a designated CT operation on a full-time basis while assigned to an organization conducting the CT operation.

The pre-11 September 2022 broader eligibility for general GWOT support is no longer the standard. Marines accumulating support time without direct CT operation involvement do not qualify under the new criteria.

Per Tab 7, foreign personnel are not eligible for the GWOT-SM.

Humanitarian Service Medal (HSM)

Per Tab 8 and MARADMIN 398/10MARADMIN 398/10 paragraph 3. Recognizes participation in qualifying humanitarian relief operations.

Per MARADMIN 398/10MARADMIN 398/10, direct participation is defined as being physically present at the designated location and having directly contributed to and influenced the action. The MARADMIN states firmly. "DEPLOYMENT TO THE AREA OF HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE IN AND OF ITSELF DOES NOT CONSTITUTE HSM ENTITLEMENT." This rule catches Marines who deployed to a relief area but did not directly participate in relief operations.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff designates qualifying operations and time periods. Examples include Operation Unified Response (Haiti earthquake 2010), Operation Pacific Wave (American Samoa earthquake/tsunami 2009), and the Chile earthquake assistance operation 2010, all listed in MARADMIN 398/10MARADMIN 398/10.

Armed Forces Service Medal (ASM)

Per Tab 5. Recognizes participation in U.S. military operations not encompassed by other CE&S awards. Used for designated operations not yet given dedicated medals.

Per the tab, foreign military personnel are not eligible for the ASM.

AFSM No Longer Authorized for Mexican Border CBP Support (MARADMIN 233/26)

Per MARADMIN 233/26MARADMIN 233/26 paragraph 2, effective 13 August 2025, the AFSM is no longer authorized for recognition of service supporting U.S. Customs and Border Protection on the Mexican border. The Secretary of War established the Mexican Border Defense Medal (MBDM) for that specific mission. See the MBDM section below for eligibility and the retroactive AFSM-to-MBDM election framework.

AFSM awards earned for U.S. Customs and Border Protection support prior to 20 January 2025 remain authorized and are NOT eligible for exchange for the MBDM per MARADMIN 233/26 paragraph 6.

Mexican Border Defense Medal (MBDM)

Per MARADMIN 233/26MARADMIN 233/26 (20 May 2026), the Secretary of War established the Mexican Border Defense Medal to recognize Service Members deployed in support of U.S. Customs and Border Protection on the Mexican border. The Marine Corps implements the MBDM per the MARADMIN.

Period of Award

Per MARADMIN 233/26 paragraph 3, the qualifying period begins 20 January 2025 and remains open until a future termination date is announced.

Area of Eligibility

Per MARADMIN 233/26 paragraph 5, the Area of Eligibility (AOE) includes U.S. land areas 100 nautical miles from the international border with Mexico within the following states.

• Texas (including the city of San Antonio).
• New Mexico.
• Arizona.
• California.

Plus adjacent waters north of the border extending to 24 nautical miles.

Eligibility Criteria

Per MARADMIN 233/26 paragraph 4, Marines are eligible for the MBDM if they.

• Were permanently assigned, attached, or detailed to a unit that deployed to participate in a designated Department of War military operation supporting U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
• Within the AOE.
• During the Period of Award.
• For 30 days, either consecutively or cumulatively.

Award Approval Authority

Per MARADMIN 233/26 paragraph 7, Commanding Officers with delegated authority to award the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (NAM) may approve the MBDM.

Award Elements

Per MARADMIN 233/26 paragraph 8.

• Full-size medal with a suspension ribbon.
• Corresponding service ribbon.
• NO certificate or citation will be issued.
• Only ONE award of the MBDM is authorized per individual regardless of number or duration of qualifying deployments.
• Devices denoting subsequent awards are NOT authorized.

Precedence

Per MARADMIN 233/26 paragraph 9, the MBDM is worn immediately after the Korea Defense Service Medal. The Wearing Your Awards leaf covers the precedence framework.

Retroactive AFSM to MBDM Election (MARADMIN 233/26 Paragraph 6)

Per MARADMIN 233/26 paragraph 6, Marines previously awarded the AFSM for qualifying CBP support between 20 January 2025 and 13 August 2025 may request the MBDM in lieu of the AFSM.

Cannot Retain Both

Marines may NOT retain both awards for the same deployment or qualifying service period.

Pre-20 January 2025 AFSM Awards Are Not Eligible

AFSM awards earned for CBP support prior to 20 January 2025 remain authorized and are NOT eligible for exchange for the MBDM.

Documentation

The election of the MBDM is documented with an appropriate Page 11 entry.

HQMC Guidance Pending

Per MARADMIN 233/26 paragraph 10.d, HQMC will provide additional administrative processing guidance for retroactive updates to the Marine Corps Total Force System and Official Military Personnel Files.

MBDM Administrative Processing (MARADMIN 233/26 Paragraph 10)

Unit Commander Verification

Per MARADMIN 233/26 paragraph 10.a, unit commanders verify qualifying service and ensure submission of appropriate source documentation for service record updates.

Supporting Documentation

Per MARADMIN 233/26 paragraph 10.b, supporting documentation should include.

• Deployment orders.
• TAD or PCS orders.
• Muster rosters.
• Command certification verifying qualifying service dates and location.

Entry Code "BD"

Per MARADMIN 233/26 paragraph 10.c, Local Reporting Units run this award. The entry code is "BD".

Marine Corps Combat Instructor Ribbon (MCCIR)

Per Tab 11. Recognizes service as a Combat Instructor or Combat Marksmanship Trainer at one of the Schools of Infantry. Specific tour-length requirements per the tab.

Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon (MCDIR)

Per Tab 12. Recognizes service as a Drill Instructor at Marine Corps Recruit Depots. Specific tour-length requirements per the tab.

Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (MCGCM)

Per Tab 14. Recognizes three years of honorable active service per qualifying period. Specific exclusions for Marines with NJPs, court-martial convictions, or unsatisfactory conduct marks during the qualifying period.

The MCGCM is the most common CE&S award on a junior Marine's rack. A Marine with no NJPs and clean conduct sees their first MCGCM at the three-year point.

National Defense Service Medal (NDSM)

Per Tab 19. Recognizes active duty service during designated periods of national emergency. Currently authorized for service from 11 September 2001 forward (the GWOT period), with prior authorized periods covering Vietnam, Korea, etc.

Junior Marines often see the NDSM as their first CE&S award after entering active service.

Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (SSDR)

Per Tab 31. Recognizes 12 months of accumulated sea time on a deployable ship of the Navy or USS-class vessel. Specific qualifying-period rules per the tab.

The SSDR is the most common signal of Marine deployment time aboard ship, which carries weight in MEU and shipboard duty MOSs.

Navy Reserve Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (NRSSDR)

Per Tab 29. The reserve component equivalent of the SSDR.

Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (MOVSM)

Per Tab 18. The one CE&S award you self-nominate. The MOVSM page on this site covers eligibility, the 36-month sustained-service standard, qualifying activities, and the approval flow.

How CE&S Awards Post to Your Record (Automatic Path)

Per SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 paragraph 1.2.b.(3) and MCO 1650.19JMCO 1650.19J w/ CH 1, most CE&S awards post to MCTFS automatically based on records verification. The flow.

Step 1. Records Verification at the Unit Level

The unit S-1, training section, or operations section identifies Marines meeting the criteria for a CE&S award based on.

• Deployment orders for theater-specific awards (ACM, ICM, IRCM, GWOTEM)
• Sea time records for the SSDR
• Time in service for the NDSM
• Time in MOS / billet for MCDIR and MCCIR
• Conduct and Pro/Con marks (or under JEPES, the appropriate equivalent records) for the MCGCM
• Joint Chiefs of Staff designation lists for the HSM

Step 2. Unit Diary Entry or MOL Awards Module Approval

For most CE&S awards, the qualifying award is submitted to the reporting unit for entry into the Marine's record. The reporting unit (I&I S-1 with direct UD/MIPS access, or a battalion S-1 routing through their PAC) handles the Unit Diary transaction. The entry posts to MCTFS automatically.

For the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal specifically, the commander approves the award in MOL via the Awards Module at the qualifying date. The MOL Awards Module flow is direct from commander approval to MCTFS without going through the standard Unit Diary entry process.

Step 3. MBS Update

The Master Brief Sheet reflects the new ribbon entry within a few weeks. No nomination form, no Summary of Action, no chain of command endorsement is required for the routine CE&S awards. The MCGCM requires the commander's MOL Awards Module approval but no separate package.

The Exceptions

A few CE&S awards require nomination or endorsement.

• The MOVSM (covered above) has a full nomination process.
• The MCGCM requires commander approval in MOL via the Awards Module rather than the routine Unit Diary entry path.
• The HSM sometimes requires command coordination because direct participation has to be verified per MARADMIN 398/10MARADMIN 398/10. Requests for additional participating personnel determination route through the Combatant Commander (Commander U.S. Southern Command for the relevant operations, Commander U.S. Pacific Command, etc.) and then to MMPB-3 for record purposes.
• Foreign Awards (NATO Medal, UN Service Medal, etc.) follow the procedures on the Foreign Awards page.

Service Stars and Devices on CE&S Awards

Per SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 Chapter 4 and individual tab paragraphs.

Service Stars (5/16-inch bronze and silver)

Most CE&S awards use a 5/16-inch service star to denote subsequent qualifying periods or operations. The bronze service star represents the second through fifth qualifying period. The silver service star replaces five bronze service stars (so the sixth qualifying period is one silver service star).

Common applications.

• ACM. Bronze service star for each subsequent named operation phase (Liberation of Afghanistan, Consolidation I, Consolidation II, etc.) per Tab 1.
• ICM. Bronze service star for each subsequent qualifying period (Liberation of Iraq, Iraqi Sovereignty, Operation New Dawn, etc.).
• HSM. Bronze service star for each subsequent qualifying humanitarian operation.
• SSDR. Bronze service star for each subsequent 12-month accumulation.
• MCGCM. Bronze service star for each subsequent three-year qualifying period.
• NDSM. Bronze service star for each subsequent designated period of national emergency (so a Marine on active duty across the Vietnam, Cold War, and GWOT periods would have multiple stars).

Specific Device Names

• M Device (Mobilization). Worn on certain reserve component awards to denote mobilization for active service.
• Hourglass Device. Worn on the Armed Forces Reserve Medal to denote 10, 20, 30, and 40 years of qualifying reserve service.
• Bronze Arrowhead. Worn on certain CE&S awards (typically theater campaign medals) to denote participation in a combat parachute, glider, amphibious, or air assault landing.

The Wearing Your Awards page on this site walks through device placement on the rack.

Verifying Your CE&S Awards in Your Record

CE&S awards post automatically, but the automation depends on accurate records. Verify your CE&S awards land correctly within 30 to 60 days of the qualifying event.

Step 1. Pull Your Master Brief Sheet (MBS)

Through Marine Online (MOL). Look for.

• All CE&S ribbons consistent with your deployment history, sea time, and time in service
• Service star indicators on awards covering multiple qualifying periods
• Specific qualifying period dates reflected in the entry

Step 2. Compare Against Your Service History

Pull your deployment orders, fitness reports, and prior MBS snapshots. Check.

• Deployment orders to a theater that should produce a campaign medal (ACM, ICM, IRCM)
• Deployment to a sea command that should produce SSDR time
• Tour as a DI or Combat Instructor producing MCDIR or MCCIR
• Three-year clean service blocks producing the MCGCM
• Active service across designated NDSM periods
• Documented direct participation in a HSM-eligible operation

Step 3. Resolve Discrepancies Through S-1

If a CE&S award is missing or has the wrong service star count, work through your S-1.

• Pull deployment orders, sea service records, and Unit Diary entries from the qualifying period.
• File a correction through the standard administrative correction procedure in MCO 1650.19JMCO 1650.19J w/ CH 1.
• Verify the corrected entry shows in MCTFS within 30 days.

For older issues outside the standard correction window, the procedures in SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 Chapter 8 cover beyond-time-limit corrections. For HSM verification on operations not yet posted, the request routes through the Combatant Commander to MMPB-3 per MARADMIN 398/10MARADMIN 398/10 paragraph 3.

Common Questions Marines Ask

I deployed to Afghanistan in 2003 and got the GWOTEM. Should I have the ACM instead?

Per SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 Tab 1 paragraph e, Service Members awarded the GWOTEM for service in Afghanistan between 11 September 2001 and 30 April 2005 are allowed to keep the GWOTEM or elect the ACM in lieu. The choice is yours. The ACM is more specific to Afghanistan and is the post-2005 standard. Coordinate with your S-1 to make the swap.

I deployed to a humanitarian relief operation in support but never left the ship. Do I get the HSM?

Per MARADMIN 398/10MARADMIN 398/10 paragraph 3, direct participation is defined as being physically present at the designated location and directly contributing to and influencing the action. Deployment in support, even under operational control of the relief task force, does not by itself qualify for the HSM. If you went ashore and participated in relief operations, you qualify. If you stayed at sea in a support role, you typically do not.

I have three years of clean active service. Why is the MCGCM not on my record?

The MCGCM does not post fully automatically. The commander approves the award in MOL via the Awards Module at the qualifying date. If your three-year point came and went without the approval, coordinate with your chain of command and your S-1 to verify the eligibility and prompt the commander's MOL Awards Module review. Per Tab 14, NJPs and conduct mark thresholds during the qualifying period prevent the award. Verify your conduct record covers the full three years before assuming it should have posted.

How are service stars displayed on the ribbon when I have multiple?

Service stars sit on the ribbon centered, with multiple stars arranged in a row per current Marine Corps Uniform Regulations. Five bronze stars convert to one silver star. The Wearing Your Awards page on this site covers placement.

I served three years on a sea-going ship but my SSDR shows the wrong qualifying period. What do I do?

Pull your sea service record from your S-1 and your prior MBS snapshots. The SSDR posts based on accumulated sea time, which the unit Logs Officer or S-1 tracks. Coordinate with your S-1 to reconcile the sea service record with the MCTFS entry.

Is the National Defense Service Medal authorized for current service?

Yes. The NDSM remains authorized for active duty service during the GWOT period (11 September 2001 forward). The qualifying period has not been formally closed. New active duty Marines continue to receive the NDSM upon reaching qualifying service per Tab 19.

I served on a MEU that supported a foreign humanitarian relief operation. Am I eligible for the foreign government's medal?

Per SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 paragraph 7.4, DoD generally does not permit U.S. military personnel to accept service medals from foreign governments. Specific SECDEF-approved exceptions exist (e.g., the Saudi Arabian Kuwait Liberation Medal). The Foreign Awards page on this site covers the framework.

How do I know which CE&S awards I have already qualified for?

Pull your MBS through MOL. The CE&S section lists every ribbon you have earned with the service star count and qualifying date. Compare against your service history. If anything looks off, work through your S-1.

I deployed to the Mexican border in support of CBP in 2025. Am I eligible for the Mexican Border Defense Medal?

Per MARADMIN 233/26MARADMIN 233/26 paragraphs 3, 4, and 5, you are eligible if your deployment fell within the Period of Award (20 January 2025 to a future termination date), within the Area of Eligibility (100 nautical miles from the international border with Mexico in Texas including San Antonio, New Mexico, Arizona, or California, or adjacent waters 24 nm north of the border), and you were permanently assigned, attached, or detailed to a unit deployed for a designated Department of War military operation supporting CBP for 30 days consecutively or cumulatively. Your unit commander verifies the service and submits supporting documentation per paragraph 10.

I was awarded the AFSM for CBP support before 13 August 2025. Can I exchange it for the MBDM?

Per MARADMIN 233/26 paragraph 6, if the qualifying service fell between 20 January 2025 and 13 August 2025, yes. You may request the MBDM in lieu of the AFSM, but you cannot retain both for the same deployment. AFSM awards earned for CBP support PRIOR to 20 January 2025 are NOT eligible for exchange. The election is documented with a Page 11 entry. HQMC will provide additional administrative processing guidance for retroactive MCTFS and OMPF updates per paragraph 10.d.

Can I be awarded the MBDM more than once?

Per MARADMIN 233/26 paragraph 8, no. Only ONE award of the MBDM is authorized per individual regardless of number or duration of qualifying deployments. Devices denoting subsequent awards are NOT authorized.

Who approves the MBDM?

Per MARADMIN 233/26 paragraph 7, Commanding Officers with delegated authority to award the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (NAM) may approve the MBDM.

Where does the MBDM sit in the precedence order?

Per MARADMIN 233/26 paragraph 9, the MBDM is worn immediately after the Korea Defense Service Medal. The Wearing Your Awards leaf covers the precedence framework.

Where to Go for Help

A Note on HQMC Awards Office Designations

The Marine Corps reorganized its awards office over time. Three designations show up in policies tied to CE&S awards. Get the distinction right so you route requests correctly.

• HQMC Manpower Performance Branch, Military Awards Section (MMPB-3). The current umbrella office handling Marine Corps awards adjudication, policy interpretation, and CMC-level approval routing. Listed on the Manpower Marines website at https://www.manpower.marines.mil/Divisions/Manpower-Management/Performance-Branch/Military-Awards/.
• HQMC MMPB-31. A sub-element under MMPB-3 specifically handling administrative actions on awards. This includes administrative change requests, replacement certificate procedures, and the administrative correction templates referenced in MARADMIN 093/25MARADMIN 093/25 paragraph 10.k. MMPB-31 is NOT the same as MMMA. The two have different functions.
• CMC (MMMA), Military Awards Branch. The historical designation appearing in older policy documents (SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 paragraph 1.3, MCO 1650.19JMCO 1650.19J, and earlier MARADMINs including MARADMIN 398/10MARADMIN 398/10 references to MMMA-2 for HSM database updates). When you see MMMA in those documents, the function continues today under MMPB-3.

For current Marine Corps CE&S awards questions, contact MMPB-3.

• Email. smb_hqmc_pers_awards@usmc.mil
• Phone. 703-784-9342
• Website. https://www.manpower.marines.mil/Divisions/Manpower-Management/Performance-Branch/Military-Awards/

For administrative corrections on CE&S award entries, route through MMPB-31 channels per MARADMIN 093/25MARADMIN 093/25.

Routing by Issue

• Active duty Marines verifying or correcting CE&S records. Your S-1 is the first stop.
• Sea time verification for SSDR. Unit Logs Officer and S-1.
• Drill Instructor or Combat Instructor tour verification for MCDIR/MCCIR. The S-1 at the school where the tour was performed.
• Conduct verification for MCGCM. Your S-1 with backup from your prior unit's S-1 if the qualifying period spans units.
• HSM eligibility for additional participating personnel. Combatant Commander (Commander U.S. Southern Command for relevant operations, Commander U.S. Pacific Command, etc.) per MARADMIN 398/10MARADMIN 398/10 paragraph 3, then MMPB-3 for MCTFS posting.
• ACM-versus-GWOTEM swap for service in Afghanistan 2001-2005. Your S-1 routes through MMPB-3 per Tab 1 paragraph e.
• Older CE&S corrections outside the standard correction window. SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 Chapter 8 procedures, routed through S-1 to MMPB-3.

Where to Go Next on This Site

• Awards Overview lays out the three categories of awards and where CE&S sits.
• MOVSM covers the one CE&S award you self-nominate.
• Marksmanship Badges covers the Tab 17 marksmanship awards alongside the CE&S category.
• Wearing Your Awards covers ribbon precedence (including CE&S internal ordering) and devices.
• Verifying Your Awards in OMPF walks through the verification steps in detail.
• PCS and Awards Timing covers timing rules around career moves where CE&S qualifying dates fall in awkward windows.

Related Roles

• Leaders identify Marines reaching CE&S qualifying milestones (deployments, sea time, tour completion, three-year clean service for MCGCM) and ensure unit S-1 posts the awards on time.
• Admin support. CE&S awards are submitted to the reporting unit for entry into the Marine's record. The reporting unit (I&I S-1 with direct UD/MIPS access, or a battalion S-1 routing through their PAC) handles the Unit Diary transaction. The S-1 supports Marines through corrections and routes complex CE&S verification (HSM, foreign-CE&S equivalents) through MMPB-3.
• Commanders approve the MCGCM in MOL via the Awards Module per the Tab 14 eligibility rules.
• Commanders certify Pro/Con or JEPES equivalents driving the MCGCM, endorse HSM packages for Marines with documented direct participation, and oversee unit-level CE&S records integrity.

CE&S awards tell the story of where you served. The system posts them automatically when your records reflect the qualifying service. Your job is to verify the record matches the service. Per MARADMIN 233/26MARADMIN 233/26, the Mexican Border Defense Medal (MBDM) recognizes Marines deployed to support U.S. Customs and Border Protection on the Mexican border (POA from 20 January 2025, 100 nm AOE, 30-day qualifying service, one award per individual, no devices, worn immediately after the Korea Defense Service Medal). The AFSM is no longer authorized for that mission effective 13 August 2025, with a retroactive AFSM-to-MBDM election for qualifying service between 20 January 2025 and 13 August 2025 documented through a Page 11 entry. LRUs run the award with entry code "BD".