In the past year and a half, the United States Navy has deployed multiple warships, including Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers and littoral combat ships, to support border security. That has included warships that have patrolled Pacific maritime routes as well as deployments to the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf waters. Now the crews of those vessels, as well as sailors who were assigned to ground units that supported border operations, could be awarded the Mexican Border Defense Medal (MBDM).
That award was established in August 2025 to recognize service members deployed to the U.S. international border with Mexico as part of the Department of War’s efforts to support Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations.
It was less than a month ago that the United States Marine Corps confirmed that Marines who served in such a capacity could receive the MBDM. As with the previous announcement from the Pentagon, “The qualifying period begins 20 January 2025 and remains open until a future termination date is announced.”
Replaces the Armed Forces Service Medal
Previous support for CBP was recognized with the Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM), a decoration that is typically awarded to service members who participate in designated, significant U.S. military operations where no other campaign or service medal is authorized, and where troops encounter no foreign armed opposition or imminent hostile action.
Since 2019, service members have been awarded the AFSM for duty at the southern U.S. border, including for past service, including the 2006-2008 Operation Jump Start.
As with the AFSM, service personnel – including U.S. Navy sailors – are eligible for the MBDM if they have been “permanently assigned, attached, or detailed to a unit that deployed” to participate in a Pentagon-designated military operation supporting CBP within the Area of Eligibility (AOE) during the period of award (POA), for 30 days, either consecutively or cumulatively.
For the U.S. Navy, the AOE includes U.S. land areas 100 miles from the international border with Mexico within Texas (including the city of San Antonio), New Mexico, Arizona, California, and adjacent waters north of the border extending to 24 nautical miles.
Last August, the U.S. Army announced that service members and veterans who had previously been awarded the AFSM may apply for the new award in lieu of the AFSM previously awarded. However, no individual could be awarded both medals for the same period of qualifying service. Military personnel would be eligible for both the AFSM and the MBDM if the AFSM were for actions not related to border service.
Based On the Mexican Border Service Medal
The design of the physical medal was intended to evoke a previous award, namely the Mexican Border Service Medal, also known as the Mexican Border Defense Medal. An Act of Congress established it in July 1918. It was awarded for service on the U.S. southern border between May 9, 1916 and March 24, 1917, including personnel who took part in the “Pancho Villa Expedition” during the Mexican Revolution.
The award was also distinct from the Mexican Service Medal, which was awarded to U.S. Army soldiers and U.S. Navy sailors for service in Mexico from 1911 to 1919.
As with the former Mexican Border Service Medal, the new MBDM is bronze, and the front features a sheathed Roman gladius sword hanging on a table. An inscription reads “For Service on the Mexican Border.”
According to the Pentagon, “The sword symbolizes war or military strength and is sheathed to indicate service in the United States rather than in actual combat.”
The reverse side features the Coat of Arms of the United States above a scroll. To the right side (the dexter) are crossed rifles and to the left (the sinister) are crossed sabers. Beyond the scroll at the base are crossed artillery cannons. The wreath represents achievement, and the other military symbols respectively represent the infantry, cavalry, and artillery.
The ribbon is green and golden yellow, symbolic respectively of freedom and virtue.
“These colors represent civic virtue by serving the government in pursuit of freedom,” the Pentagon explained, adding, “The order of precedence for the MBDM will be before the AFSM and after the Korea Defense Service Medal.”
