Information valid as of June 2004

NATO Medals With their deployment in Former Yugoslavia 1992, NATO forces were engaged on military operations for the first time in the history of the Alliance. In order to recognise the outstanding service performed by military and civilian NATO personnel, the institution of a NATO medal was created soon afterwards. Other NATO operations followed in line with Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, resulting from the attack on the United States on 11 September 2001, and with Non-Article 5, related to the situations in the Balkans and in Afghanistan. Consequently, further medals linked to the individual operations and commemorating the service of NATO-, but also NON-NATO Forces, were established and distributed. In general NATO medals for both Article 5- and Non-Article 5 campaigns or operations nowadays exist for military and civilian personnel who are engaged in (or have been engaged in), or who are in direct support, of campaigns or operations in the service of NATO. The qualifying period is thirty days of service in the Area of Operation, continuous or accumulated in any single tour of duty. Besides these two types of medals respecting the service in operational theatres, a third one, the “NATO Meritorious Service Medal” was established by the North Atlantic Council (NAC) in 2003 to award military and civilian personnel who have been commended for providing exceptional or remarkable service to NATO. All medals are circular, made of metal in silver (Meritorious Service) or bronze (Article 5 and Non-Article 5 operations) and bear on the obverse the NATO star set in a wreath of olive leaves, on the reverse the words “in service of peace and freedom”. The medals are suspended from blue and white ribbons and show either gold (Article 5) or silver (Non-Article 5) threads, while the Meritorious Service Medal has both. A clasp in the same colour as the medal and bearing an inscription, which reads the corresponding denotation, completes the award, which comes together with a certificate. For each medal the NAC has approved qualifying conditions, which form the basis for eligibility criteria. The issue of any new medal for campaigns or operations in support of Article 5 or Non-Article 5 is pursuant to NAC authorisation. While those medals generally honour deployment in a theatre and are given to all being on duty in operational areas, the Meritorious Medal aims at outstanding services performed individually, asks for recommendation and approval through the chains of command and is under a yearly limited edition by the Secretary General of NATO. For more detailed information contact Head of Personnel Office IMS (5373/ 5953), who is responsible for the administration of all medals. NATO Medals currently in use (.PDF/248KB)