Establishment of the Mexican Border Defense Medal

1.  This MARADMIN announces Marine Corps
implementation guidance for awarding the Mexican Border Defense 
Medal (MBDM) established by the Secretary of War. 
2.  Per reference (b), the Secretary of War established the MBDM to
recognize Service Members deployed in support of U.S. Customs and
Border Protection.  Effective 13 August 2025, the Armed Forces 
Service Medal (AFSM) is no longer authorized for recognition of 
service supporting U.S. Customs and Border Protection on the 
Mexican border.
3.  Period of Award (POA).  The qualifying period begins 20 January
2025 and remains open until a future termination date is announced.
4.  Eligibility Criteria.  Marines are eligible for the MBDM must 
have been permanently assigned, attached, or detailed to a unit that
deployed to participate in a designated Department of War military
operation supporting U.S. Customs and Border Protection within the
Area of Eligibility (AOE) during the POA, for 30 days, either 
consecutively or cumulatively.
5.  Area of Eligibility.  The AOE includes U.S. land areas 100
nautical 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.
6.  Retroactive Award Guidance.  Marines previously awarded the AFSM
for qualifying CBP support between 20 January 2025 and 13 August
2025 may request the MBDM in lieu of the AFSM.  Marines may not
retain both awards for the same deployment or qualifying service
period.  AFSM awards earned for U.S. Customs and Border Protection
support prior to 20 January 2025 remain authorized and are not 
eligible for exchange for MBDM.  The election of the MBDM will be
documented with an appropriate Page 11 entry.
7.  Award Approval Authority.  Commanding Officers with delegated
authority to award the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal may
approve the MBDM.
8.  Award Elements.  The MBDM consists of a full-size medal with a
suspension ribbon and corresponding service ribbon.  No certificate
or citation will be issued.  Only one award of the MBDM is 
authorized per individual regardless of number or duration of 
qualifying deployments.  Devices denoting subsequent awards are not
authorized.
9.  Precedence.  The MBDM is worn immediately after the Korea 
Defense Service Medal.
10.  Administrative Guidance. 
10.a.  Unit commanders will verify qualifying service and ensure
submission of appropriate source documentation for service record
updates.
10.b.  Supporting documentation should include deployment orders,
TAD/PCS orders, muster rosters, or command certification verifying
qualifying service dates and location.
10.c.  Local Reporting Units will run this award, and the entry code
to be utilized will be "BD".
10.d.  HQMC will provide additional administrative processing 
guidance for retroactive updates to Marine Corps Total Force System
and Official Military Personnel Files.
11.  This MARADMIN is applicable to the Total Force.
12.  Release authorized by MajGen Fridrik Fridriksson, Director,
Manpower Management Division.