ALNAV 023/26 – IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MEXICAN BORDER DEFENSE MEDAL
BLUF – This ALNAV establishes the new Mexican Border Defense Medal (MBDM) to recognize Navy and Marine Corps personnel who support U.S. Customs and Border Protection operations along the U.S.-Mexico border, with eligibility beginning on January 20, 2025. Service members must serve at least 30 cumulative or consecutive days in the designated border area, and those who previously received the Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM) for qualifying border support after January 20, 2025, may request the MBDM instead, but cannot receive both awards for the same service. The medal may only be awarded once, has no authorized devices, and is worn immediately after the Korea Defense Service Medal in award precedence.
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