Troops Peeved Over Pentagon's New Criteria for ISIS Medal

A controversy has erupted over the Pentagon's decision to limit a new campaign medal to troops who are actually serving in Iraq and Syria.

Soldiers deployed to fight the Islamic State (ISIS) are peeved that only troops who "serve in, fly over, or sail within waters contiguous to Iraq and Syria will be eligible for the campaign medal," The Hill reports.

They must spend at least 30 consecutive days in Iraq or Syria, or a total of 60 nonconsecutive days, to qualify.

Pentagon spokeswoman Marine Lt. Col. Gabrielle Hermes told The Hill: "Campaign medals recognize those incurring the highest combat risk, which is why award of the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal is limited to members serving in Iraq and Syria."

But political news blog reports that "feelings of resentment over the medal are especially acute in Kuwait, which borders Iraq."

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