A simple, friendly guide to a new U.S. military medal

Big news can feel big and messy. A new medal was made for troops who help at the U.S.–Mexico border. What is it? Who gets it? Let’s make it easy, quick, and clear.

Short answer you can trust

The Mexican Border Defense Medal is a U.S. military award made in 2025. It thanks troops who support U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the southern border. Service for about 30 days in the set border area can qualify.

What is it, in plain words?

It’s a “thank you” medal. If a service member helps on missions at the southern border, the medal shows that duty and care. It replaces a different medal that was used for this work before.

Who can earn it?

U.S. service members who are sent to help border agents. They need to be assigned to the mission and serve for 30 days, in a row or added up, during the set time window that starts in 2025.

Where does the service count?

The area is close to the U.S.–Mexico line. It reaches across border states and nearby waters. Some support work based in places like San Antonio, Texas, can count too, because it helps the border mission.

What does the medal look like?

The medal is bronze. On the front, a sheathed sword hangs on a tablet that says: “For Service on the Mexican Border.” The ribbon is green and yellow. These colors stand for freedom and virtue—doing the right thing for our country.

How is it different from the old border medal?

Over 100 years ago, troops got the Mexican Border Service Medal for guarding the border in 1916–1917. The new medal uses the same classic look, but it honors today’s border support missions.

Why this matters

Border duty can be hard, quiet work. This medal shows respect for that service. It also links today’s helpers to the history of people who stood watch long ago.

Quick facts

• Made: 2025
• Purpose: Honors troops who support border security missions
• Time: About 30 days of service can qualify
• Looks: Bronze medal, green and yellow ribbon, “For Service on the Mexican Border” on front
• History link: Shares design with a 1918 border medal from the World War I era

Sources

• U.S. Army: Mexican Border Defense Medal announcement (Aug. 25, 2025)
• Stars and Stripes: New medal uses historic design (Aug. 24, 2025)
• DoD photo of the Mexican Border Defense Medal (Aug. 20, 2025)
• National Museum of the U.S. Air Force: Mexican Border Service Medal (1916–1917)
• Orders & Medals Society of America: Mexican Border Service Medal details

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