The Accumulated Campaign Service Medal (ACSM) policy and qualification criteria have undergone a review to address ambiguity in how time on operations contributes to the ACSM. The review clarified that all time on a medal-earning operation counts towards the ACSM once an individual qualifies for specified Campaign, General, or Operational Service medals, with specific exceptions outlined in relevant documents like DIN or JSP 761. The qualification time for ACSM 1994 and ACSM 2011 remains unchanged at 1080 and 720 days, respectively.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) Medal Office is currently evaluating all applications that were put on hold during the review process. Individuals who may have been previously denied an ACSM or subsequent Clasp(s) due to discounting the initial qualifying period are encouraged to apply for a review to rectify any inaccuracies in their service records.
The ACSM was established to acknowledge repeat operational service by individuals in theatres where Campaign, General Service Medals with Clasp(s), and Operational Service Medals were awarded. However, between December 2009 and February 2019, discrepancies arose in the administration of the ACSM policy, leading to confusion about which time periods contributed to qualification for the ACSM.
In response to the identified issues, a consistent approach was implemented in 2014, ensuring that the initial qualifying period for Campaign, Operational, and General Service Medals was not counted towards the ACSM. The MOD Medal Office suspended the processing of ACSM applications in February 2019 to prevent further errors and clarify the policy to avoid future ambiguities.
A key aspect of the policy review is to address cases where individuals were awarded an ACSM between December 2009 and February 2019 with potential inaccuracies in their qualification dates or rank inscriptions on the medal. While there will be no retrospective review of ACSM cases dating back to 2009, affected individuals are urged to reach out to MODMO for a review and potential re-assessment.
Various categories of individuals, including current service personnel, veterans, civilians, and contractors, are provided with specific instructions on how to proceed based on their circumstances. Those who believe they may have been impacted by the policy changes are encouraged to apply for a review to ensure accurate recognition of their service and qualifications for the ACSM.
Moreover, the policy clarification addresses questions and scenarios related to the counting of time towards the ACSM based on different operational deployments and medal qualifications. It emphasizes the need for accurate documentation and evidence to support applications for ACSM and highlights the importance of adhering to the updated guidelines to avoid future discrepancies.
In conclusion, the revised guidelines for medal mounting positions aim to provide clarity and consistency in recognizing individuals’ operational service and contributions, ensuring that the ACSM is awarded accurately and fairly based on established qualification criteria.
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