Out of curiosity, with all the joint operations in the U.S. military, is it possible to earn medals or awards that are typically associated with a different branch of service? Like, if I'm in the Navy, could I earn a medal that's typically awarded to those in the Army?
Medals within the US military are awarded based on actions, not necessarily by specific allegiance to a branch. So to answer your question, yes, you can earn medals or awards that are typically associated with a different branch of service.
Consider the Joint Service Achievement Medal, for example. This award was created to recognize the activities of individuals working in joint activities after August 3, 1983. Essentially, it's awarded to those who work with multiple branches of the military and achieve significant results.
Another example is the Air Force Cross, the second highest military award that can be given to a member of the United States Air Force. It is awarded for extraordinary heroism while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States. While typically awarded to airmen, this award has been given to servicemembers in other branches. If your actions on a joint mission met the criteria for this cross, you could be considered for it, regardless of your branch.
However, note that the prerequisites to qualify for these awards differ, and in the end, it's about your contributions and actions rather than the branch you serve in.
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