Pentagon Creates Mexican Border Defense Medal for Troops Sent to U.S.-Mexico Line

More than 10,000 active-duty troops remain deployed along the U.S.-Mexico border (Credit: Via Getty Images)

The Defense Department has established the Mexican Border Defense Medal (MBDM) to recognize U.S. service members deployed to the southern border in support of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), according to a Pentagon memorandum.

The medal replaces the Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM) for such missions, and service members cannot receive both awards for the same period.