The U.S. Department of Defense has established a new military decoration called the Mexican Border Defense Medal to recognize service members deployed in support of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations along the southern border with Mexico. Announced by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, the medal honors troops who have been assigned, attached, or detailed to units participating in designated military operations supporting the border patrol for a minimum of 30 days, whether consecutive or non-consecutive. The bronze medal features a Roman sword on the front with the inscription "For service on the border with Mexico" and the U.S. coat of arms on the reverse. Anthony Tata, Deputy Secretary of Defense, emphasized that the award acknowledges the bravery and contributions of these military personnel. The Pentagon’s decision reflects ongoing efforts to formally recognize the role of the armed forces in border security missions.