Troops stationed at the US-Mexico border will receive medals for the first time since the Bush era

TThe Pentagon has decided that the thousands of soldiers deployed at the US-Mexico border will receive medals for their services.

Active, Reserve and National Guard members sent to the region after April 2018 will be eligible for the Armed Forces Service Medal, previously awarded to troops participating in border operations between 2006 and 2008.

"The Under Secretary of Defense has authorized the Armed Forces Service Medal to serve members who have been supporting CBP as of April 7, 2018," said Lt. Col. Chris Mitchell of the United States Army. , spokesman for the Pentagon. The end date has not been determined because the operation remains in effect. About 6,100 soldiers are stationed at the border, with regular rotations.

To be eligible, troops must have served within 115 miles of the border in Texas, New Mexico, California and Arizona. Members at sea who served within 24 nautical miles of the coast and those stationed at the mission headquarters in San Antonio are also eligible.

The Service Medal of the Armed Forces is awarded to troops "participating in, or participating as, members of US military units, in a US military operation considered an important activity" and do not encounter any foreign armed opposition or imminent threat of violence. 'hostile acts,' according to the federal code.

President Bill Clinton created the Order in Council Medal in 1996. It has since been awarded to various peacekeeping, humanitarian and support operations. The George W. Bush administration has authorized the medal for troops helping the Department of Homeland Security to "secure the US Southwest Frontier" during the Jump Start operation from 2006 to 2008. More recently, this medal was awarded to troops who participated in operations of – Saharan Africa between September 2014 and June 2015 and those deployed at the US Embassy in South Sudan as part of the operation. Oaken Steel, following violence that erupted in the country from July 2016 to January 2017.

Lieutenant-General Thomas Spoehr, retired Washington Examiner the Pentagon's decision "is consistent with the purpose of the award".

"It's an inexpensive way to recognize the sacrifice of soldiers deployed far from home, probably in hot and inhospitable conditions," said Spoehr. "Young soldiers particularly appreciate receiving an award."

President Trump announced the deployment of troops at the border in April 2018, citing a crisis at the border after officials were overwhelmed by the number of Central American migrants fleeing violence in their homeland. origin. Trump said the crisis was a national emergency in February 2019, triggering a debate over the possibility of using $ 2.5 billion in defense funds for border wall construction. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the administration last month.