It is presented to employees in the Department who serve in designated field locations.
the following locations have been designated expeditionary by the Director General of the Foreign Service: The award consists of a certificate signed by the Secretary and a lapel pin.
The Assistant Secretary of a regional bureau may seek approval to present the Expeditionary Service Award to State Department employees who meet the award's criteria of a year’s assignment with successful service, to arduous and difficult field locations.
The regional bureau will identify eligible field locations where State Department employees work and live in exceptionally difficult circumstances.
The bureau also sees that a suitable citation is drafted for the Secretary’s approval.