The Secretary of Defense Medal for the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) was established to recognize the contributions of civilian employees who deployed to specified areas in direct support of military operations. Its eligibility requirements were crafted to make it the functional civilian equivalent of the Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, and candidates must meet a highly specific set of criteria to qualify for its award.
“Civilian employees” are defined by statute (Title 5 § 2015 of the United States Code), and contractors are not eligible for this honor. To be considered for the GWOT medal, employees must have been spent 30 consecutive or 60 cumulative days in an area of eligibility (AOE) in direct support OF a military operation on or after September 11, 2001. (Exceptions are allowed for employees who served the full duration of an operation lasting less than 30 days or those who were killed or medically evacuated from the AOE.) Note that simply being assigned to a remotely located activity is not qualification: the employee must enter the AOE.
While approval of the GWOT Medal comes from commanders of Army command, commanders/superintendents of DRUs (direct reporting units) and the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army, it may be also done by commanders with a rank of at least Lieutenant Colonel (or GS-14 or equivalent). An employee may receive the award only once for an operation, but the regulations are silent regarding receiving the award (or service stars) for different operations. An employee whose service during an operation has been recognized with the Armed Forces Civilian Service Medal may not be awarded the GWOT Medal.
The GWOT Medal may be awarded to those who are longer civilian employees as defined by code provided they meet all other eligibility criteria. It may also be awarded to a posthumously by presentation to a member of the deceased employee’s family.