The Hill - Troops Question Rules for ISIS Medal

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By Kristina Wong

Some troops deployed to support the war against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) are questioning the Pentagon's decision to limit a new campaign medal to those who are physically serving in Iraq and Syria.

Hundreds of troops have been deployed just outside of Iraq and Syria to assist the military campaign against ISIS, stationed in places like Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

While all of those troops are part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the Pentagon says only troops who serve in, fly over or sail within waters contiguous to Iraq and Syria will be eligible for the campaign medal.

A service member confronted Defense Secretary Ash Carter about that decision last month during Carter's visit to the United Arab Emirates.

"My question for you is, is there a consideration being made for authorizing the Operation Inherent Resolve Medal to those supporting from locations outside of Iraq and Syria?" the service member asked Carter during a town hall discussion.

"Yes, it's a good question. I think we need to give that some thought," Carter replied.

"For everybody who doesn't know about it, it's -- this new medal is, for now, restricted to people who are serving in the -- on the place of Iraq and Syria, but you guys are fighting the war too, as far as I'm concerned, so we -- I definitely really need to give some thought to that," he said.

To qualify for the medal, troops must spend at least 30 consecutive days in Iraq or Syria or a total of 60 nonconsecutive days. Those requirements are waived for any service member who is killed, injured and medically evacuated or who engages in combat in those two countries.

The Pentagon says the criteria are fair, since the campaign medal will be awarded to those who are at the "highest combat risk."

"Campaign medals recognize those incurring the highest combat risk, which is why award of the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal is limited to members serving in Iraq and Syria," said Pentagon spokeswoman Marine Lt. Col. Gabrielle Hermes.

She said the criteria mirrors the standards used for the Afghanistan and Iraq wars and that troops who are supporting the campaign from other countries can receive the Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal.

"As you can see, everyone supporting the ongoing combat operations in Iraq and Syria are appropriately recognized," Hermes said.

But many of the troops in Iraq who will be eligible for the ISIS medal are unlikely to face combat, since hundreds of them are serving at a headquarters in Baghdad, away from the frontlines, as are the thousands of sailors on aircraft carriers and ships supporting airstrikes.

While most troops serving in Iraq and Syria will qualify for the medal, the Pentagon's criteria excludes the hundreds of U.S. troops deployed across the border in Kuwait and supporting airstrike operations from the Combined Air Operations Center at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and from the United Arab Emirates. The criteria also appear to exclude troops who deployed to Turkey and Jordan to train Syrian rebels.

There are "more than 700" U.S. troops serving in the campaign outside of Iraq and Syria, according to Central Command.

The feelings of resentment over the medal are especially acute in Kuwait, which borders Iraq. Hundreds of troops there believe they would be serving in Iraq were it not for the administration's desire to keep the troop level as low as possible and feel that their service isn't being similarly recognized, according to a service member in the region.

"The force cap prevents large numbers of U.S. troops in Iraq, so a lot of them are in Kuwait, so they feel as if they are part of the effort but are not recognized for their sacrifice," the service member said.

Still, at least one member of Congress said the Pentagon's criteria sounds "reasonable."

"I'm not familiar with the details, but it sounds like a reasonable line to draw. There's a big difference between being in Iraq and just being in Kuwait," said Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), a former Marine and Afghanistan veteran.

Other lawmakers, especially those who have served in Kuwait, disagree.

"Having served in Kuwait during Operation Iraqi Freedom, I know the important role Kuwait plays in supporting ongoing operations in the Middle East theatre," Rep. Mark Takai (D-Hawaii), a lieutenant colonel in the Hawaii Army National Guard, said in a statement to The Hill.

"This critical support should be recognized properly by our military, and troops providing direct support to the mission should be considered for award of the Operation Inherent Resolve campaign medal," Takai said.

Takai pointed out that the Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal is awarded for service all over the world, including in South America, the Caribbean and Asia, and there "should be an additional designation for those directly involved with combat operations in the Middle East."

"Differentiation in the types of medals that are awarded during military campaigns is necessary, and the men and women serving our nation in Kuwait are currently playing a crucial role in ongoing operations in Iraq and Syria," Takai said.

Other lawmakers who have served in the military say they want to look into the medal issue.

"I'd like to look and see why. I can understand that they'd be upset," said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a retired Air Force colonel.

"I think we should consider it, but I want to do the analysis before I come to a conclusion," added Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), a retired Army major.

"It is something that I'd like to look into," said Sen. Joni Ernst, a retired Iowa Army National Guard lieutenant colonel who spent 14 months in Kuwait in 2003 to 2004 in support of the Iraq War.

Hermes said campaign medal criteria were drafted by the under secretary of Defense for personnel and readiness, based on a recommendation from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and associated Combatant Command, and approved by the Defense secretary.

Brad Carson was serving as the acting under secretary of Defense for personnel and readiness at the time the medal was announced on March 30. He stepped down from his position on April 8.

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