The Pentagon unveiled a new medal for service members deployed to the southern border as part of President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration. The new Mexican Border Defense Medal will honor those involved in the Joint Task Force-Southern Border, according to a new memo that circulated on social media and was confirmed by Fox News.
“Effective immediately, the Mexican Border Defense Medal (MBDM) is hereby established to recognize Service members deployed to the U.S. international border with Mexico for DoD support to United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP),” the memo says, adding that the “Award of the Armed Forces Service Medial for Department of Defense SUpport to Customs and Border Protect” is rescinded.
“Henceforth, such service will be recognized through award of the MBDM,” the memo asserts.
“Service members must have been permanently assigned, attached, or detailed to a unit that deployed to participate in a designated DoD military operation supporting CBP within the (area of eligibility) during the (period of award) for 30 consecutive or nonconsecutive days,” the memo says, describing the award criteria. It adds, “Service members and Veterans previously awarded the AFSM for DoD support to CBP may apply to their respective Military Service for award of the MBDM in lieu of the AFSM previously awarded to recognize such service; however, no Service member or Veteran may be awarded both the AFSM and the MBDM for the same period of qualifying service,” the memo said.
In March, U.S. Northern Command announced that Joint Task Force-Southern Border would build upon efforts from Joint Task Force-North. “This is an important step in the whole-of-government efforts to seal the southern border and maintain U.S. sovereignty and territorial integrity,” USNORTHCOM Commander Gen. Gregory M. Guillot said at the time. “Joint Task Force-Southern Border will lead as both the synchronizer of all joint capabilities and the land force commander for USNORTHCOM as we conduct operations on the Southern Border, building upon the excellent foundation set by Joint Task Force-North.”
