Additional Phases Identified for Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign Medals
June 30, 2011

The Department of Defense announced today that additional campaign stars are authorized for wear on the Iraq Campaign Medal (ICM) and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM).

The campaign stars recognize a service member’s participation in DoD-designated campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Service members who have qualified for the ICM and ACM may display a bronze campaign star on their medal for each designated campaign phase in which they participated. The stars will be worn on the suspension and campaign ribbon of the campaign medal.

The additional campaign phase and associated dates established for the ICM is:

• New Dawn – Sept. 1, 2010 through Dec. 31, 2011.

Six other phases, previously identified, include:

• Liberation of Iraq – March 19, 2003 to May 1, 2003.
• Transition of Iraq – May 2, 2003 to June 28, 2004.
• Iraqi Governance – June 29, 2004 to Dec. 15, 2005.
• National Resolution – Dec. 16, 2005 to Jan. 9, 2007.
• Iraqi Surge – Jan. 10, 2007 to Dec. 31, 2008.
• Iraqi Sovereignty – Jan. 1, 2009 to August 31, 2010

The additional campaign phase and associated dates established for the ACM is:

• Consolidation III – Dec. 1, 2009 through a date to be determined.

Three other phases, previously identified, include:

• Liberation of Afghanistan – Sept. 11, 2001 to Nov. 30, 2001
• Consolidation I – Dec. 1, 2001 to Sept. 30, 2006
• Consolidation II – Oct. 1, 2006 to Nov. 30, 2009

Service members should contact their respective military departments for specific implementation guidance.

UPDATE: May 1, 2012 — The end date for the ICM New Dawn campaign phase was changed from “a date to be determined” to Dec. 31, 2011.