R 201210Z MAY 26 MARADMIN 233/26 MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MM MMPB3// SUBJ/ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MEXICAN BORDER DEFENSE MEDAL// REF/A/MSGID:  MSG/SECNAV/071809ZMAR26// REF/B/MSGID:  DOC/DOW/13AUG25// REF/C/MSGID:  DOC/OUSOW/01JUL19// REF/D/MSGID:  DOC/SECNAV/16AUG19 NAR/REF A IS ALNAV 023/26, IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MEXICAN BORDER  DEFENSE MEDAL.  REF B IS SECWAR MEMORANDUM, ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MEXICAN BORDER DEFENSE MEDAL.  REF C IS OUSW P&R MEMORANDUM, AWARD OF THE ARMED FORCES SERVICE MEDAL FOR DEPARTMENT OF WAR SUPPORT TO CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION.  REF D IS SECNAVIST 1650.1J, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS AWARDS MANUAL// POC/Z. J. KELLY/CIV/HQMC MMPB-30/-/TEL:703-784-9206/ EMAIL:  [email protected]// GENTEXT/REMARKS/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.//