ALCOAST 206/18 - MAY 2018 AWARD OF THE ARMED FORCES SERVICE MEDAL FOR HURRICANE OPERATIONS RESPONSE AND RECOVERY FOR HARVEY, IRMA, AND MARIA

R 290625 MAY 18
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//DCO-D//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS//N01650//
ALCOAST 206/18
COMDTNOTE 1650
SUBJ:  AWARD OF THE ARMED FORCES SERVICE MEDAL FOR HURRICANE OPERATIONS RESPONSE AND
RECOVERY FOR HARVEY, IRMA, AND MARIA
A. VCG MEMO 1650 of 10 MAY 2018
B. Coast Guard Military Medals and Awards Manual, COMDTINST M1650.25 (series)
C. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 230746 MAY 18/ALCOAST 200/18
D. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 230753 MAY 18/ALCOAST 201/18
1. In honor of the contribution of Coast Guard personnel in support of rescue and recovery
efforts following Hurricanes HARVEY, IRMA and MARIA, the Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM) is
authorized for Coast Guard military personnel who served in direct support between 23 August
2017 and 31 March 2018. IAW REF (A) and the criteria outlined in REF (B), Coast Guard members
who directly participated for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days within the
District Five, Seven, or Eight areas of responsibility, less the area and time detailed for
receipt of the Humanitarian Service Medal (HSM) as authorized by REFs (C) and (D), are
eligible to receive the AFSM. Personnel who received the HSM may later qualify for the AFSM;
however, the dates and actions used to meet the requirements for the HSM will not be used to
qualify the member for the AFSM.
2. Additional criteria for this award are provided in Chapter 5 of REF (B). No person will be
entitled to more than one award of the AFSM for participation in the same operation. For
individuals who have previously earned the AFSM, a 3/16-inch bronze star will be awarded to
indicate a subsequent award or a 3/16-inch silver star to denote five bronze stars (sixth award).
Award of the HSM or AFSM to an individual does not preclude that member from being recognized
with an additional personal award. Civilian personnel who meet the above criteria for the AFSM
are eligible to receive the Armed Forces Civilian Service Medal.
3. Each unit, in coordination with their servicing administration office, must validate
personnel eligibility, location, and time period (i.e. permanent duty station or TDY orders to
an area of eligibility and physical presence).
   a. Units shall electronically submit rosters of eligible members, with command approval,
via a standard Excel spreadsheet, which can be found on the CG PSC-PSD-fs portal site
at: https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/psc/Medals%20and%20Awards/default.aspx. (Note: Units will
not be able to edit the spreadsheet until a local copy is created via “Save As” function. A
standard naming convention for email and file titles is required to facilitate processing of
the rosters (AWARD_UNIT_DATE (i.e., AFSM_AIRSTA CLEARWATER_20180401)). Units should refer to
the specific instructions contained in the spreadsheet in completing the rosters.
   b. Spreadsheets (left in Excel form) must be submitted electronically to forward packages
to: CGD7 (for IRMA/MARIA) D07-SMB-District-Hurricane-Awards@uscg.mil or CGD8 (for HARVEY)
D08-SMB-District-Harvey-Awards@uscg.mil by 22 June 2018.
   c. CGD7 and CGD8 will consolidate the rosters and forward to LANTAREA for compiling into
one AFSM roster no later than 10 July 2018.
   d. Upon completion of consolidation and no later than 24 July 2018, LANTAREA will forward
the final roster to CG PSC-PSD-ma at: ARL.AWDSBOARD@uscg.mil.
4. Direct Access entries will be coordinated between D7, D8, LANTAREA, and PPC (The Issue Date
for Direct Access entry is: 10 May 2018; The Grantor for Direct Access entry is: COMDT/Ref:
(this ALCOAST i.e.: “ALCOAST XXX/18”). Units will not have to make the entries and a Coast Guard
Award Recommendation, Form CG-1650 is not required.
5. Units may procure Armed Forces Service Medals IAW REF (B) for first-time awardees through
the Defense Logistics Agency via MILSTRIP. Information needed to order: Armed Forces Service
Medal, NSN: 8455-01-426-5479, Unit of Issue – SE, Source of Supply – SMS. The Armed Forces
Civilian Service Medals are available through civilian vendors. Units may issue awards to
eligible members upon submission of approved unit rosters.
6. All questions should be directed to CG PSC-PSD-ma at: ARL.AWDSBOARD@uscg.mil.
7. RADM L. L. Fagan, Deputy for Operations Policy and Capabilities, sends.
8. Internet release authorized.