May 16,2008: The U.S. Army is awarding separate medals for participation in the Iraq or Afghanistan operations. These awards are retroactive to Sept. 11, 2001, for service in Afghanistan, and March 19, 2003, for Iraq. Anyone who has served at least 30 consecutive days in either area, or 60 non-consecutive days, is eligible. Anyone who was there less time, but was sent home because of wounds, injury or sickness, is eligible no matter how short their stay. The army calculates that some 805,000 soldiers are eligible for these new awards. They will usually be worn as small ribbons on uniform jackets. In this way, troops can quickly scan the chest candy worn by others and know the rough outline of their military careers.

The army had earlier issued Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medals (for service in Afghanistan during Sept. 11, 2001-April 30, 2005, or Iraq during March 19, 2003-April 30, 2005).