HMC-FMF-PJ
08-25-2006, 18:43
Okay, I have a research project for whomever can assist.
A Battle Star is worn on the GWOTEM to denote the number of combat operations in which an individual has participated. It is intended for personnel who were engaged in actual combat against the enemy, yet even with all the WIA and KIA since 2001 - zero Battle Stars have been authorized. How are Battle Stars requested?
The Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOTEM) is a campaign medal for OUTCONUS Ops in support of the "global war on terrorism." Sailors and Marines who earned a GWOTEM for OEF/OIF prior to 01 May 2005 shall remain qualified for the GWOTEM; however, since 30 April 2005 the ACM/ICMis the only campaign medal authorized for OEF/OIF respectively. Only one GWOTEM will be awarded to an individual, thus no service stars are authorized. However, per NAVADMIN 090/04 (para 6) and MARADMIN 129/04 (para 8), Battle Stars are the only prescribed device for the GWOTEM.
According to NDAWS, the Battle Star is a bronze, 3/16 inch, five-pointed star "worn on the GWOTEM to denote the number of combat operations in which an individual has participated. It is intended for personnel who were engaged in actual combat against the enemy and under circumstances involving grave danger of death or serious bodily injury from enemy action." (see REFERENCE section below).
A Battle Star differentiates the warriors who had bullets flying around them in a war zone (ie. Iraq, Afghanistan, Djibouti) from those who had a more peaceful tour or otherwise "deployed abroad in (direct or indirect) support of GWOT operations".
However, zero Battle Stars have been authorized by anyone, anywhere. With zero Battle Stars authorized, it appears that no units have ever submitted any requests to CENTCOM for approval. (Surely all KIA's should qualify as "grave danger of death" and WIA's were in "grave danger of serious bodily injury")
Whatever the reason, this appears to be a systemic failure in all branches. Virtually no one (99.99%) I have spoken to knows they should be requesting Battle Stars and the few that do, have no idea how to do it.
Of course, once I convince an individual that Battle Stars do indeed exist and may be authorized for wear on the GWOTEM, I am then provided with the three standard responses:
(1) I don't know and I'm too busy to find out
(2) Here is something to read that rehashes published instructions (but doesn't answer any questions)
(3) Ask someone else
Understandably, most people are too busy trying to slay the dragons of today to want to go back and research something that is a Pandora's Box from 2001 to 2005. With the Battle Star's awarding criteria being "engaged in actual combat against the enemy and under circumstances involving grave danger of death or serious bodily injury from enemy action", that could mean that nearly everyone in all branches with a Purple Heart or Combat Action Ribbon (& Combat Infantry Badge) earned between 2001-2005 from Iraq, Afghanistan, and other AO's might need to have a Battle Star request drawn up. With nearly everyone already trying to cram 10 gallons of crap in a 5 gallon bucket, very few people are interested in volunteering for an additional extra 2 gallons of crap.
"Hmm, Battle Stars. Sounds nice, but they've already got CAR's and we're too busy. You can work on it if you like, but you'll have to do all the work. We have to focus our efforts on the current deployment and next inspection, not 2003...."
Personally, I view this more as taking care of your men. The men who hung their ass out there, risking their lives, and rate this recognition, however insignificant it might be. This is especially true when I think of those who returned with a Purple Heart.
I have four Marines from my unit who came home with Purple Hearts and a lot of others who were lucky enough to avoid violating the right-of-way of all the lead flying about them. I am confident most of you have Corpsmen and Marines at your command who rate a Battle Star. Maybe your admin shop already knows all the answers or will have an easier time finding the answer when they process the Battle Star requests for your warriors. Maybe you know someone, who knows someone, who knows it all...
[] I need to know any guidelines I MEF, CENTCOM or CJCS may have established to better define "circumstances involving grave danger of death or serious bodily injury from enemy action" or any request procedures to follow.
[] I need to know what format to use or forms to submit for the requests so I may assist in producing write-ups and answering questions from my officers.
[] May the documentation used to request the Combat Action Ribbon be used to request a Battle Star?
[] Does the awarding of a Purple Heart or POW Medal in a GWOT AO automatically rate a Battle Star?
[] How many Battle Stars may be awarded to an individual?
() One, like the GWOTEM?
() One for the entire "Operation", like the CAR for OIF?
() One per combat tour or deployment in an AOE, like a service star on other medals?
() One per battle or qualifying event, like a Purple Heart? (Op Iron Fist, Op Able Warrior, Op River Gate, Op Steel Curtain, etc.)
[] How are Battle Stars worn (vertical, horizontal) and is the star silver for 5?
[] I'm curious if any command has submitted a Battle Star request and if/why it was rejected by CENTCOM or CJCS (since zero have been authorized).
This post is longer than I intended I am sure you get an idea of what I am hunting for. None of this information is provided in any instruction I have been able to locate and is unknown by all offices I have contacted. Any help you can provide me would be greatly appreciated. If at all possible, I would like to receive a sample package to use as a template in preparation for submitting our requests for Battle Stars. I look forward to hearing back from you with ANY INFORMATION OR GUIDANCE you might be able to provide.
REFERENCE:
GWOTEM update for DoD 1348.33-M:
(1) Only one award of this medal may be authorized for any individual; therefore, no service stars are prescribed.
(2) Battle Stars may be applicable for personnel who were engaged in actual combat against the enemy and under circumstances involving grave danger of death or serious bodily injury from enemy action. Only a Combatant Commander can initiate a request for a Battle Star. This request will contain the specific unit(s) or individual(s) engaged in actual combat, the duration for which actual combat was sustained, and a detailed description of the actions against the enemy."
MARADMIN 129/04
8. DEVICES: ONLY ONE AWARD OF THIS MEDAL MAY BE AUTHORIZED FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL, THEREFORE, NO DEVICES (SERVICE STARS) ARE AUTHORIZED.
A. BATTLE STARS MAY BE APPLICABLE FOR PERSONNEL WHO WERE ENGAGED IN ACTUAL COMBAT AGAINST THE ENEMY UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES INVOLVING GRAVE DANGER OF DEATH OR SERIOUS BODILY INJURY FROM ENEMY ACTION.
NAVADMIN 090/04
6. BATTLE STARS. BATTLE STARS MAY BE APPLICABLE FOR PERSONNEL WHO WERE ENGAGED IN ACTUAL COMBAT AGAINST THE ENEMY AND UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES INVOLVING GRAVE DANGER OF DEATH OR SERIOUS BODILY INJURY FROM ENEMY ACTION.
(Air Force) 252010Z MAY 04
(A) BATTLE STARS MAY BE AUTHORIZED FOR WEAR ON THE GWOT EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL BY PERSONNEL WHO WERE ENGAGED IN ACTUAL COMBAT AGAINST THE ENEMY UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES INVOLVING GRAVE DANGER OF DEATH OR SERIOUS BODILY INJURY FROM ENEMY ACTION.
Combat Action Ribbon:
The principal eligibility criterion is that the individual must have participated in a bona fide ground or surface combat fire-fight or action during which he/she was under enemy fire and his performance while under fire was satisfactory. Personnel assigned to areas subjected to sustained mortar, missile, and artillery attacks actively participate in retaliatory or offensive actions are eligible. Service in a combat area does not automatically entitle a service member to the CAR. Personnel eligible for the award of the Purple Heart would not necessarily qualify for the Combat Action Ribbon.
Combat Distinguishing Device:
The Bronze "V" device is authorized for wear on specific medals if the award is for acts or services involving direct participation in combat operations. Eligibility for the Combat Distinguishing Device shall be based solely on acts or services by individuals who are exposed to personal hazard due to direct hostile actions, and not upon the geographical area in which the acts or services are performed.
https://awards.navy.mil
Navy Department Awards Web Service (NDAWS) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Question: GWOTEM: What is a Battle Star?
Answer: A battle star is the small bronze star that is worn on the GWOTEM to denote the number of combat operations in which an individual has participated. It is intended for personnel who were engaged in actual combat against the enemy and under circumstances involving grave danger of death or serious bodily injury from enemy action. Commanding Officers of units who feel their unit qualifies for the battle star must request, in writing, approval for their unit to wear a battle star.
A Battle Star is worn on the GWOTEM to denote the number of combat operations in which an individual has participated. It is intended for personnel who were engaged in actual combat against the enemy, yet even with all the WIA and KIA since 2001 - zero Battle Stars have been authorized. How are Battle Stars requested?
The Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOTEM) is a campaign medal for OUTCONUS Ops in support of the "global war on terrorism." Sailors and Marines who earned a GWOTEM for OEF/OIF prior to 01 May 2005 shall remain qualified for the GWOTEM; however, since 30 April 2005 the ACM/ICMis the only campaign medal authorized for OEF/OIF respectively. Only one GWOTEM will be awarded to an individual, thus no service stars are authorized. However, per NAVADMIN 090/04 (para 6) and MARADMIN 129/04 (para 8), Battle Stars are the only prescribed device for the GWOTEM.
According to NDAWS, the Battle Star is a bronze, 3/16 inch, five-pointed star "worn on the GWOTEM to denote the number of combat operations in which an individual has participated. It is intended for personnel who were engaged in actual combat against the enemy and under circumstances involving grave danger of death or serious bodily injury from enemy action." (see REFERENCE section below).
A Battle Star differentiates the warriors who had bullets flying around them in a war zone (ie. Iraq, Afghanistan, Djibouti) from those who had a more peaceful tour or otherwise "deployed abroad in (direct or indirect) support of GWOT operations".
However, zero Battle Stars have been authorized by anyone, anywhere. With zero Battle Stars authorized, it appears that no units have ever submitted any requests to CENTCOM for approval. (Surely all KIA's should qualify as "grave danger of death" and WIA's were in "grave danger of serious bodily injury")
Whatever the reason, this appears to be a systemic failure in all branches. Virtually no one (99.99%) I have spoken to knows they should be requesting Battle Stars and the few that do, have no idea how to do it.
Of course, once I convince an individual that Battle Stars do indeed exist and may be authorized for wear on the GWOTEM, I am then provided with the three standard responses:
(1) I don't know and I'm too busy to find out
(2) Here is something to read that rehashes published instructions (but doesn't answer any questions)
(3) Ask someone else
Understandably, most people are too busy trying to slay the dragons of today to want to go back and research something that is a Pandora's Box from 2001 to 2005. With the Battle Star's awarding criteria being "engaged in actual combat against the enemy and under circumstances involving grave danger of death or serious bodily injury from enemy action", that could mean that nearly everyone in all branches with a Purple Heart or Combat Action Ribbon (& Combat Infantry Badge) earned between 2001-2005 from Iraq, Afghanistan, and other AO's might need to have a Battle Star request drawn up. With nearly everyone already trying to cram 10 gallons of crap in a 5 gallon bucket, very few people are interested in volunteering for an additional extra 2 gallons of crap.
"Hmm, Battle Stars. Sounds nice, but they've already got CAR's and we're too busy. You can work on it if you like, but you'll have to do all the work. We have to focus our efforts on the current deployment and next inspection, not 2003...."
Personally, I view this more as taking care of your men. The men who hung their ass out there, risking their lives, and rate this recognition, however insignificant it might be. This is especially true when I think of those who returned with a Purple Heart.
I have four Marines from my unit who came home with Purple Hearts and a lot of others who were lucky enough to avoid violating the right-of-way of all the lead flying about them. I am confident most of you have Corpsmen and Marines at your command who rate a Battle Star. Maybe your admin shop already knows all the answers or will have an easier time finding the answer when they process the Battle Star requests for your warriors. Maybe you know someone, who knows someone, who knows it all...
[] I need to know any guidelines I MEF, CENTCOM or CJCS may have established to better define "circumstances involving grave danger of death or serious bodily injury from enemy action" or any request procedures to follow.
[] I need to know what format to use or forms to submit for the requests so I may assist in producing write-ups and answering questions from my officers.
[] May the documentation used to request the Combat Action Ribbon be used to request a Battle Star?
[] Does the awarding of a Purple Heart or POW Medal in a GWOT AO automatically rate a Battle Star?
[] How many Battle Stars may be awarded to an individual?
() One, like the GWOTEM?
() One for the entire "Operation", like the CAR for OIF?
() One per combat tour or deployment in an AOE, like a service star on other medals?
() One per battle or qualifying event, like a Purple Heart? (Op Iron Fist, Op Able Warrior, Op River Gate, Op Steel Curtain, etc.)
[] How are Battle Stars worn (vertical, horizontal) and is the star silver for 5?
[] I'm curious if any command has submitted a Battle Star request and if/why it was rejected by CENTCOM or CJCS (since zero have been authorized).
This post is longer than I intended I am sure you get an idea of what I am hunting for. None of this information is provided in any instruction I have been able to locate and is unknown by all offices I have contacted. Any help you can provide me would be greatly appreciated. If at all possible, I would like to receive a sample package to use as a template in preparation for submitting our requests for Battle Stars. I look forward to hearing back from you with ANY INFORMATION OR GUIDANCE you might be able to provide.
REFERENCE:
GWOTEM update for DoD 1348.33-M:
(1) Only one award of this medal may be authorized for any individual; therefore, no service stars are prescribed.
(2) Battle Stars may be applicable for personnel who were engaged in actual combat against the enemy and under circumstances involving grave danger of death or serious bodily injury from enemy action. Only a Combatant Commander can initiate a request for a Battle Star. This request will contain the specific unit(s) or individual(s) engaged in actual combat, the duration for which actual combat was sustained, and a detailed description of the actions against the enemy."
MARADMIN 129/04
8. DEVICES: ONLY ONE AWARD OF THIS MEDAL MAY BE AUTHORIZED FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL, THEREFORE, NO DEVICES (SERVICE STARS) ARE AUTHORIZED.
A. BATTLE STARS MAY BE APPLICABLE FOR PERSONNEL WHO WERE ENGAGED IN ACTUAL COMBAT AGAINST THE ENEMY UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES INVOLVING GRAVE DANGER OF DEATH OR SERIOUS BODILY INJURY FROM ENEMY ACTION.
NAVADMIN 090/04
6. BATTLE STARS. BATTLE STARS MAY BE APPLICABLE FOR PERSONNEL WHO WERE ENGAGED IN ACTUAL COMBAT AGAINST THE ENEMY AND UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES INVOLVING GRAVE DANGER OF DEATH OR SERIOUS BODILY INJURY FROM ENEMY ACTION.
(Air Force) 252010Z MAY 04
(A) BATTLE STARS MAY BE AUTHORIZED FOR WEAR ON THE GWOT EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL BY PERSONNEL WHO WERE ENGAGED IN ACTUAL COMBAT AGAINST THE ENEMY UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES INVOLVING GRAVE DANGER OF DEATH OR SERIOUS BODILY INJURY FROM ENEMY ACTION.
Combat Action Ribbon:
The principal eligibility criterion is that the individual must have participated in a bona fide ground or surface combat fire-fight or action during which he/she was under enemy fire and his performance while under fire was satisfactory. Personnel assigned to areas subjected to sustained mortar, missile, and artillery attacks actively participate in retaliatory or offensive actions are eligible. Service in a combat area does not automatically entitle a service member to the CAR. Personnel eligible for the award of the Purple Heart would not necessarily qualify for the Combat Action Ribbon.
Combat Distinguishing Device:
The Bronze "V" device is authorized for wear on specific medals if the award is for acts or services involving direct participation in combat operations. Eligibility for the Combat Distinguishing Device shall be based solely on acts or services by individuals who are exposed to personal hazard due to direct hostile actions, and not upon the geographical area in which the acts or services are performed.
https://awards.navy.mil
Navy Department Awards Web Service (NDAWS) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Question: GWOTEM: What is a Battle Star?
Answer: A battle star is the small bronze star that is worn on the GWOTEM to denote the number of combat operations in which an individual has participated. It is intended for personnel who were engaged in actual combat against the enemy and under circumstances involving grave danger of death or serious bodily injury from enemy action. Commanding Officers of units who feel their unit qualifies for the battle star must request, in writing, approval for their unit to wear a battle star.