Eligible are service members on active duty, members of the Selected Reserve in good standing and members of other than the Selected Reserve called to active duty (includes cadets with the USAF Academy). Ineligible are members called to active duty for the sole purpose of undergoing a physical examination, for training only, or to serve on boards, courts or commissions.

This medal will always have a minimum of one and maximum of three bronze stars denoting participation in each campaign period. The campaign periods are: Defense of Saudi Arabia, 2 Aug 90 - 16 Jan 91; Liberation and Defense of Kuwait, 17 Jan 91 - 11 Apr 91; Southwest Asia Cease Fire Campaign, 12 Apr 91 - 30 Nov 95. Service members eligible for the SWASM based on participation (1 Jun 92 - 30 Nov 95) in Operation PROVIDE COMFORT will wear the medal and service ribbon with the star.

To be eligible, U.S. military personnel must have: 

(1) Served in support of operation DESERT STORM between January 17 and February 28, 1991, in one or more of the following areas: The Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, that portion of the Arabian Sea that lies north of 10 degrees N latitude and west of 68 degrees E longitude, the total land areas of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

(2) Been as follows: Attached to or regularly serving for one or more days with an organization participating in ground and/or shore operations; Attached to or regularly serving for one or more days aboard a naval vessel directly supporting military operations; Actually participated as a crew member in one or more aerial flights supporting military operations in the areas designated above; or Served on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days during this period. That time limitation may be waived for people participating in actual combat operations.  Refer to DoD 1348.33-M for specific individual eligibility requirements.

To be eligible, U.S. military personnel must have:

(1) Served in support of Operation DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM between August 2, 1990 and August 31, 1993, in one or more of the following areas: The Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, that portion of the Arabian Sea that lies north of 10 degrees N latitude and west of 68 degrees E longitude, the total land areas of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

(2) Been as follows: Attached to or regularly serving for one or more days with an organization participating in ground and/or shore operations; Attached to or regularly serving for one or more days aboard a naval vessel directly supporting military operations; Actually participated as a crew member in one or more aerial flights supporting military operations in the areas designated above; or Served on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days during this period. That time limitation may be waived for people participating in actual combat operations.  Refer to DoD 1348.33-M for specific individual eligibility requirements.