Navy Expeditionary Medal
Navy Expeditionary Medal
DESCRIPTION
The Navy Expeditionary Medal (NEM) is awarded to Navy personnel for service in a named U.S. military expedition or operation for which no specific campaign medal has been authorized. This award is used to recognize deployments or unit actions in defined hostile or highly hazardous areas where significant exposure to danger or hardship occurred, but where the level of sustained combat did not warrant a full campaign medal. It signifies participation in critical, forward-deployed, non-combat operational tasks.
HISTORY
The Navy Expeditionary Medal was established in 1936 and retroactively authorized for service dating back to 1874. It is primarily awarded for deployments in designated hostile foreign territories, crisis response operations, or for service in areas where conflict is highly probable but may not involve direct, declared combat. It ranks immediately after the Good Conduct Medals and is typically grouped with the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal.
PREREQUISITES
Navy Personnel Requirement
The recipient must be an enlisted or officer member serving in the Navy element of CSG-12 during the qualifying operation.
Designated Expeditionary Service
The unit must participate in a formally designated expedition in a hostile or highly hazardous foreign area of operation.
Active Participation
The member must be actively engaged in the operation for the required duration, typically 30 continuous days or 60 non-continuous days.
CO Certification
Requires verification from the Operations Officer (O-4+) confirming deployment dates and final approval from the Commanding Officer (O-6).