The Pentagon creates a new medal for troops in the southern border service

The Pentagon has created a new medal for the members of the service who have deployed on the southern border to help the federal police for the repression of President Donald Trump against illegal immigration.

The Pentagon has unveiled plans for a Mexican border defense medal for American troops serving with the joint processing force of the southern border, according to a new memo that the Pentagon published on August 13 which was shared on social networks.

An American defense official confirmed the authenticity of Wednesday’s note at Fox News Digital.

Troops on the border: how the role of soldiers in the application of immigration exploded under Trump

A soldier of the Texas National Guard stands out in a makeshift migrant camp near the American-mexic border fence on May 11, 2023, in El Paso, Texas. (John Moore / Getty Images)

From now on, the members of the service will receive the Mexican border defense medal (MBDM) instead of the Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM) as they previously won to support customs and border protection, said the memo.

The medal of the Armed Forces Service, created in 1996 by former president Bill Clinton, was awarded to the troops which participated in a military operation with “an important activity” but did not meet foreign armed opposition or an imminent hostile action, according to a description of the American medal army.

The Pentagon said in July that around 8,500 soldiers are assigned to the joint operational force of the southern border and were responsible for responding to security threats. The working group began in March and carried out around 3,500 patrols between and July, according to the Pentagon.

The Pentagon sets up a new 250 -mile military buffer area on the border with level passages at low records

American soldiers take measures on the Mexican border after the Ministry of Defense signed a new order declaring 110,000 acres in land on the Mexican border as a national defense area at the request of President Donald Trump to New Mexico on May 8, 2025. (Can Rasasu / Anadolu via Getty Images)

Persons eligible for the price must have been deployed since January 20 to support customs and border protection and have served at less than 100 seabed from the international border shared with Mexico in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona or California.

Those who have also served in adjacent waters up to 24 nabin miles from the border are also eligible.

“The members of the service must have been permanently allocated, joined or detailed to a unit that has deployed to participate in a DOD Military Operation designated supporting CBP in (eligibility zone) during the (reward period) for 30 consecutive or non -consecutive days,” said the Memo.

Those who have already received the service medal from the armed forces for the southern border service can appeal to receive the new prize but are not eligible to receive both, according to the Pentagon.

“The members of the service and the veterans have previously allocated AFSM for the support of the DOD to CBP can apply to their respective military service for the allocation of the MBDM instead of the AFSM previously awarded to recognize this service; however, no member of the service or veteran can be awarded both AFSM and MBDM for the same period of qualification service”.

A new voluntary deployment allows Dod civilian workers in domestic security efforts in the midst of immigration repression

American soldiers take measures on the Mexican border after the Ministry of Defense has signed a new order declaring 110,000 acres in the Mexican border a national defense area at the request of President Donald Trump to New Mexico on May 8, 2025. (Can Rasasu / Anadolu via Getty Images)

The Pentagon, according to the management of the president, established four national defense areas along the border, strengthening the capacity of American troops to help customs and border protection within the framework of the working group.

National defense areas operate under military jurisdiction, paving the way for American troops to hold intruders. Without placing these expanses of land under military jurisdiction, American troops were prohibited from doing so under the existing federal law.

“Thanks to these improved authorities, the command of the Northern American will ensure that those who illegally intrude in the New Mexico National Defense Region are brought to the custom and the protection of border or other law enforcement partners,” said General Gregory Guillot, Air Force commander, commander of the Northern Command, in a press release in April.

“The southern border of the joint operational force will lead an improved detection and monitoring, which will include vehicle and feet patrols, rotating surveillance site and fixed surveillance site operations.”