ALCOAST 256/26 - AUG 2026 AWARD OF THE ARMED FORCES SERVICE MEDAL (AFSM) ISSUANCE FOR OPERATION SOUTHERN GUARD

R 191528Z AUG 26  MID120041445432U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 256/26
SSIC 1650
SUBJ: AWARD OF THE ARMED FORCES SERVICE MEDAL (AFSM) ISSUANCE FOR
OPERATION SOUTHERN GUARD
A. U.S. Department of War, Undersecretary of War Memorandum on subj:
Authorization of the Armed Forces Service Medal for Operation
SOUTHERN GUARD, dtd 07 JUL 2026
B. Coast Guard Military Medals and Awards Manual, COMDTINST
1650.25E
C. U.S. Department of War, Manual of Military Decorations and
Awards: DoW Service Awards – Campaign, Expeditionary, and Service
Medals, DoWM 1348.33, Volume 2, CH6
1. This ALCOAST per REF (A) provides authorization and process for
the award issuances of the Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM) in
recognition of Operation SOUTHERN GUARD: Service members deployed to
Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and all supporting units
operating in the Area of Responsibility (AOR) in direct support
of Operation SOUTHERN GUARD.
2. Award Criteria. The Period of Award (POA), and Area of
Eligibility (AOE) for the Armed Forces Service Medal for Operation
SOUTHERN GUARD are as follows:
    a. Service members must have been permanently assigned, attached,
or detailed to a unit that deployed to participate in Operation
SOUTHERN GUARD.
    b. In addition, all supporting units operating in the AOR in
direct support of Operation SOUTHERN GUARD are eligible for the
AFSM.
    c. POA: 30 JAN 2025, to a future "to be determined" termination
date.
    d. AOE: Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
3. Verification and Authorization.
    a. The first O-6 or above in the member's chain of command may
direct the issuance of the AFSM to service members under their
command.
    b. Commands must verify that members recommended for the AFSM
meet eligibility criteria listed above and shall maintain
appropriate documentation substantiating the issuance. CG Award
Recommendation, Form CG-1650 is not required. Unit commands may
utilize existing internal administrative review processes in
vetting eligibility determinations.
    c. Only one award of the AFSM is authorized for service in
support of Operation SOUTHERN GUARD. Service members with
subsequent deployments in support of this Operation are not
authorized a second or subsequent award of the AFSM for the same
operation.
4. Direct Access Entries (entries in ALL FIELDS are required).
    a. Award Approval Date: Date member becomes eligible (30th day,
consecutive or nonconsecutive, in AOE)
    b. Honor and Award: CGAF "Armed Forces Service Medal"
    c. From Date: date member enters AOE and started actions
    d. To Date: date member departs AOE
    e. Grantor: ALCOAST 256/26 and Unit Authorizing Award
(For example: LANTAREA or SOUTHEAST DISTRICT)
    f. IMPORTANT NOTE: It is imperative that units follow the
directions provided in this paragraph 4 because PSC-PSD-ma does not
maintain a roster for award of this AFSM in Official Files since
this information is available from a Direct Access ADHOC report.
5. Presentation. The AFSM does not have an accompanying certificate
or citation; this is an individual service award. Units should
present recipients with the award at an appropriate occasion.
6. The order of precedence for the AFSM will be before the
Humanitarian Service Medal and after the Mexican Border Defense
Medal.
7. REF (B) will be updated per internal controls.
8. Questions regarding the AFSM should be directed to CG PSC-PSD-ma
at arl.awdsman@uscg.mil.
9. RADM Tiffany G. Danko, Assistant Commandant for Workforce
Management (CG-WM), sends.
10. Internet release is authorized.