<P> The U.S. Army's regulations state that all soldiers "on active duty, including Reserve Component Soldiers (sic) mobilized, or Army National Guard Soldiers (sic) activated on or after 11 September 2001 to a date to be determined having served 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days are authorized the GWOTSM ." The GWOT - SM was awarded automatically to all service members on Active Duty between 11 September 2001 and 31 March 2004 . While the award is no longer automatic, the termination "date to be determined" has not been set . The Battalion Commander is the approval authority for the GWOT - SM . Service members are still eligible for the medal provided they meet the criteria in AR 600 - 8 - 22 . </P> <P> U.S. Army soldiers serving on active duty primarily in a training status (basic training, advanced individual training, officer training courses, etc. ...) are not authorized award of the GWOT - SM for the active duty time they are in training . The criteria for the awards specifically states that a Soldier has to serve on active duty in support of a designated GWOT operation (Operation Noble Eagle ("ONE"), Operation Enduring Freedom ("OEF"), Operation Iraqi Freedom ("OIF"), Operation New Dawn ("OND"), Operation Inherent Resolve ("OIR"), and Operation Freedom's Sentinel ("OFS")) for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days . Army soldiers in a training status are not considered to be supporting these designated operations . </P> <P> Regulations for rating the GWOT - SM are the same in both the Navy, the Marine Corps, and Military Sealift Command for those who serve on both active duty, reserve duty, and support . Essentially, 30 days of consecutive duty or 60 days of non-consecutive duty in support of approved organizations . Personnel who are still in their initial career training are not eligible . Eligibility begins when they reach their first permanent duty station . Civilian Mariners (CIVMARs) attached to Military Sealift Command's supply ships may be eligible for the Global War on Terrorism Civilian Service Medal . </P> <P> Air Force service members were first awarded the GWOT - SM for conducting airport security operations in the fall and winter of 2001 . It was subsequently awarded for participation or support of Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom . Members must be assigned, attached or mobilized to a unit participating in or serving in support of these designated operations for thirty consecutive days or sixty nonconsecutive days . Personnel who are not deployed may be eligible for service in support of the Global War on Terrorism . Examples of these duties are maintaining and loading weapons systems for combat missions, securing installations against terrorism, augmenting command posts or crisis action teams, and processing personnel for deployment . </P>

When do you get the global war on terrorism ribbon