Air Force Combat Action Medal - Criteria

Criteria

For an airman to wear the AFCAM, a narrative explanation of the airman's involvement in combat activities must be submitted by a person with first-hand knowledge of the incident to the first O-6 (Colonel) in their operational chain of command on an AF Form 3994 The application will be processed through the chain of command and eventually be approved or disapproved by the Commander of Air Force Forces (COMAFFOR).Combat conditions defined:

For the purposes of this award, the combat conditions are met when:

  • Individual(s) deliberately go outside the defended perimeter to conduct official duties - either ground or air, and
  • Come under enemy attack by lethal weapons while performing those duties, and
  • Are at risk of grave danger

Or

  • Individual(s) are defending the base (on the defended perimeter), and
  • Come under fire and engage the enemy with direct and lethal fire, and
  • Are at risk of grave danger; also meet the intent of combat conditions for the award

Additionally, personnel in ground operations who actively engage the enemy with direct and lethal fire may qualify even if no direct fire is taken—as long as there was risk of grave danger and other criteria are met. Central to the integrity of this combat recognition is the adherence to these combat conditions prerequisites.

The AFCAM does not earn points under the Weighted Airman Promotion System. It is worn after the Air Force Achievement Medal and before the Presidential Unit Citation.

Read more about this topic:  Air Force Combat Action Medal

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