Authorized in 2002 the KDSM period of eligibility is July 28, 1954, to a future date to be determined by the Secretary of Defense. Servicemembers must have been assigned, attached, or mobilized to units operating in the area of eligibility and have been physically deployed in the area of eligibility for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days or meet one of the following criteria:

• Be engaged in actual combat during an armed engagement, regardless of the time in the area of eligibility.
• Is wounded or injured in the line of duty and requires medical evacuation from the area of eligibility.
• While participating as a regularly assigned air crewmember flying sorties into, out of, within, or over the area of eligibility in support of military operations. Each day that one or more sorties are flown in accordance with these criteria shall count as one day toward the 30 or 60-day requirement.

Personnel who serve in operations and exercises conducted in the area of eligibility are considered eligible for the award as long as the basic time criteria is met. Due to the extensive time period for KDSM eligibility, the nonconsecutive service period for eligibility remains cumulative throughout the entire period. The KDSM may be awarded posthumously, and only one award of the KDSM is authorized for any individual.

NOTE: This has not officially been authorized for the Ranger and her air groups. However, based on her awards of the AFEM, especially during the Pueblo crisis, she meets the requirements.