Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal
The Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal is a United States Department of Defense service award and campaign medal. The medal was established by Executive Order on 30 March 2016 by U.S. President Barack Obama. The medal may be awarded to members of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard, for service in Iraq, Syria, or contiguous waters or airspace retroactively from 15 June 2014 to a date yet to be determined. Service members who were awarded the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal for service that is now covered by the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal may make application to be awarded the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal in lieu of the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. No service member will be entitled to the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal for the same action, time period, or service.
Symbolism
According to the United States Army Institute of Heraldry's website, the medal's mailed fist and dagger represent "strength and courage in the defense of liberty and freedom". The scorpion being impaled was chosen because, "The scorpion, symbolic for treachery and destruction, is found on most major land masses."The center of the ribbon is orange in color, surrounded by tan and blue, deriving its hues from the Ishtar Gate and the color of Southwestern Eurasian topography, which is primarily sand.
Criteria
To qualify for the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, personnel must have been attached to a unit based in Iraq or Syria, fly missions over those countries, and/or serve in contiguous waters for 30 days consecutive, or 60 days non-consecutive. Service members who were killed or were medically evacuated from those countries due to wounds or injuries immediately qualify for the award, as do members who engaged in combat. Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force personnel qualify for the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal after only 30 qualifying days consecutive or non-consecutive.Eligible personnel will be awarded one medal with campaign star upon meeting the initial criteria for the award. Service in subsequent campaign phases qualifies personnel for additional campaign stars.
Campaign phases and devices
Currently there are four designated campaign phases:| Phase | From | To |
| Abeyance | 15 June 2014 | 24 November 2015 |
| Intensification | 25 November 2015 | 14 April 2017 |
| Defeat | 15 April 2017 | 1 July 2020 |
| Support and Stabilization | 2 July 2020 | TBD |
| One of the phases | |
| Any two of the phases | |
| Any three of the phases | |
| All four phases |
The following ribbon devices are authorized for wear on the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal: