1. This message will expire no later than one year following the date of issue.
2. Background.
a) The
Secretary of Defense approved the Mexican Border Defense Medal (MBDM),
established to recognize Service members deployed to the U.S.
international border with Mexico for Department of Defense (DoD) support
to United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
b) Service
members deployed for DoD support to CBP previously were recognized
through award of the Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM). Performing the
Duties of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness
Memorandum, "Award of the Armed Forces Service Medal for Department of
Defense Support to Customs and Border Protection," July 1, 2019, is
hereby rescinded. Henceforth, such service will be recognized through
award of the MBDM.
c) Soldiers awarded the AFSM between 7 April 2018 and 19 January 2025 will retain the AFSM.
d) Servicemembers
and Veterans awarded the AFSM after 20 January 2025 for DoD support to
CBP may apply for award of the MBDM in lieu of the AFSM previously
awarded; however, no Servicemember or Veteran may be awarded both the
AFSM and the MBDM for the same period of qualifying service while
deployed to the U.S. international border with Mexico.
e) Soldiers who received the AFSM between 20 January 2025 and 12 August 2025 are eligible for the AFSM-to-MBDM conversion..
f) The order of precedence for the MBDM will be before the AFSM and after the Korea Defense Service Medal.
g) The medal is currently under production and will be available at a future date to be determined.
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
MILPER Number: 25-431 Establishment of the Mexican Border Defense Medal
By Army National Guard October 14, 2025