The Iraq Campaign Medal (ICM) recognizes qualifying U.S. military service in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. If you are checking your military records or building a ribbon rack, three things matter most: eligibility, campaign stars, and order of wear.
This guide covers the basics without making things more complicated than they need to be.
Quick Answer: The Iraq Campaign Medal recognizes qualifying service in Iraq during the campaign period from March 19, 2003, through December 31, 2011. The medal has seven campaign phases. Service members can receive a bronze campaign star for participation in each qualifying phase. The Arrowhead Device may also apply to members who took part in qualifying assault operations. For Army personnel, the Iraq Campaign Medal follows the Afghanistan Campaign Medal in the order of precedence.
What Is the Iraq Campaign Medal?
The ICM recognizes qualifying military service in the Iraq area of eligibility during the Iraq campaign.
The medal covers service connected with:
- Operation Iraqi Freedom
- Operation New Dawn
The official eligibility period runs from March 19, 2003, through December 31, 2011.
The medal features a bronze disc with a relief map of Iraq above a palm wreath. The reverse features the Statue of Freedom above a sunburst and crossed scimitars.
Iraq Campaign Medal Eligibility
Service members generally need to serve in the ICM area of eligibility for:
- 30 consecutive days, or
- 60 non-consecutive days
Certain situations can remove the normal time requirement.
A member can qualify regardless of the standard time requirement if they:
- Participated in combat during an armed engagement
- Suffered a qualifying wound or injury and received medical evacuation
- Died while participating in an operation or performing official duties
Aircrew members can also qualify through certain qualifying sorties into, out of, within, or over the area of eligibility.
Iraq Campaign Medal Eligibility Dates
The official eligibility period is:
March 19, 2003, through December 31, 2011.
The first campaign phase also starts on March 19, 2003.
Separate the overall medal eligibility period from the individual campaign phases because they serve different purposes.
Iraq Campaign Medal Campaign Phases
The ICM has seven campaign phases.
| Campaign Phase | Dates |
| Liberation of Iraq | March 19, 2003 to May 1, 2003 |
| Transition of Iraq | May 2, 2003 to June 28, 2004 |
| Iraqi Governance | June 29, 2004 to December 15, 2005 |
| National Resolution | December 16, 2005 to January 9, 2007 |
| Iraqi Surge | January 10, 2007 to December 31, 2008 |
| Iraqi Sovereignty | January 1, 2009 to August 31, 2010 |
| New Dawn | September 1, 2010 to December 31, 2011 |
A service member can earn a campaign star for each qualifying campaign phase.
What Does a Star on the Iraq Campaign Medal Mean?
A bronze campaign star represents participation in one designated campaign phase.
The star does not mean the service member received the Iraq Campaign Medal more than once.
For example:
- 1 star: 1 campaign phase
- 2 stars: 2 campaign phases
- 3 stars: 3 campaign phases
- 4 stars: 4 campaign phases
- 5 stars: 5 campaign phases
- 6 stars: 6 campaign phases
- 7 stars: All 7 campaign phases
Can One Deployment Earn Two Stars?
Yes. A deployment can cross from one campaign phase into another. If the service member meets the applicable requirements, that service can count toward both phases.
So, two stars do not necessarily mean two deployments.
What Devices Go on the Iraq Campaign Medal?
The Iraq Campaign Medal can have two main devices:
- Campaign Star
- Arrowhead Device
The campaign star shows participation in a designated campaign phase.
The Arrowhead Device recognizes qualifying participation in an assault operation.
What Is the Arrowhead Device?
The Arrowhead Device is a small bronze arrowhead that can accompany certain U.S. campaign medals.
Qualifying assault operations can include:
- Combat parachute jumps
- Helicopter assault landings
- Combat glider landings
- Amphibious assault landings
The member must meet the applicable requirements for the operation.
If a member qualifies for both campaign stars and the Arrowhead Device, they should follow their branch’s uniform regulations when wearing the devices.
Iraq Campaign Medal and GWOT Expeditionary Medal
The Iraq Campaign Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOTEM) have some overlap in Iraq service.
Service members who qualified for the GWOTEM for certain early Iraq service could remain eligible for that award. In qualifying cases, they could request the Iraq Campaign Medal instead.
A member cannot receive both awards for the same act, achievement, or period of service.
If your older DD Form 214 lists the GWOTEM instead of the Iraq Campaign Medal, do not automatically assume your record contains an error.
Iraq Campaign Medal vs. Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal
These two medals cover different periods of service.
The Iraq Campaign Medal covers qualifying service from March 19, 2003, through December 31, 2011.
The Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal covers qualifying service connected with Operation Inherent Resolve during a later period.
If you served in Iraq after 2011, check the operation and dates before assuming you qualify for the ICM.
Iraq Campaign Medal Order of Wear
For Army personnel, the Iraq Campaign Medal follows the Afghanistan Campaign Medal in the order of precedence.
The sequence includes:
Kosovo Campaign Medal → Afghanistan Campaign Medal → Iraq Campaign Medal → Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal → Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
The exact order can vary by branch, so check your service’s current uniform regulation when building a complete ribbon rack.
How to Check Your Iraq Campaign Medal
If you want to determine whether the Iraq Campaign Medal belongs on your ribbon rack, start with your official military records.
1. Check Your DD Form 214
Look at the section that lists your medals, decorations, badges, and citations.
2. Check Your Deployment Dates
Find the dates you served in Iraq and compare them with the campaign phases.
3. Identify Your Campaign Stars
If your qualifying service crossed multiple campaign phases, you may qualify for multiple campaign stars.
4. Check for the Arrowhead Device
Review your records for qualifying assault operations.
5. Confirm Your Official Record
Your official military record should determine the final award and device configuration.
Build Your Ribbon Rack
Once you confirm your awards, you can arrange them according to the appropriate order of precedence.
You can also browse ribbons by branch:
- Army Ribbons
- Navy Ribbons
- Air Force Ribbons
- Marine Corps Ribbons
- Coast Guard Ribbons
- Space Force Ribbons
You can also browse military medals.
Frequently Asked Questions
The ICM recognizes qualifying U.S. military service in Iraq during the Iraq campaign.
The eligibility period runs from March 19, 2003, through December 31, 2011.
The standard requirement is 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days in the area of eligibility. Certain exceptions can apply.
The ICM has seven campaign phases.
Each bronze campaign star represents participation in one designated campaign phase.
Yes. A service member who qualifies through all seven campaign phases can receive seven campaign stars.
The Arrowhead Device represents qualifying participation in an assault operation, such as a combat parachute jump or helicopter assault landing.
For Army personnel, the ICM follows the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and precedes the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal in the order of precedence.
No. The eligibility period ended on December 31, 2011.
Thank you for your service. The years you spent serving in Iraq represent a chapter of sacrifice, commitment, and duty that many families carried alongside you. Whatever this medal represents in your own story, we are honored to help you wear it with the pride and respect it deserves.