The NATO Medal is an international military decoration which is awarded to
various militaries of the world under the authority of the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization. It is manufactured by Eekelers-Centini Intl, of Hemiksem,
Belgium. There are currently thirteen versions of the NATO Medal in existence,
for service in Yugoslavia, Kosovo, the Republic of Macedonia, two for service
during Article 5 operations, and seven for Non-Article 5 NATO operations. In
addition, there are corresponding clasps for operations such as ISAF, Kosovo,
Yugoslavia, NTM-Iraq and clasps designating Article 5, and Non-Article 5
designations. There is also a NATO Meritorious Service Medal, with a
"Meritorious Service" clasp as well. Non-Article 5 Medal
For U.S. Forces, eligibility for the Non-Article 5 Medal for the Balkans
remains the same as those previous NATO medals with the exception of the dates
of service. Those members entering the Balkan theatre on or after 1 January
2003 will be eligible for the Non-Article 5 medal. The service must be
30 days either continuous or accumulated. Aircrew members will
accumulate one days of service for the first sortie during any day of the
operation. Additional sorties on the same day will receive no further credit.
The Balkans area is delineated as the political boundaries and airspace of
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Yugoslavia, the Republic of Macedonia, and Albania,
based on the detailed description contained in the SFOR, KFOR, and Task
Force Fox Operational Plans. Service members who are entitled to more than
one NATO medal during the same period will only be awarded one NATO Medal. The
NATO chain of command will deem which medal is appropriate. This medal may
also be awarded with the "ISAF" clasp for service in Afghanistan, as well as
the "NTM-I" clasp for service in Iraq with NATO forces.
For U.S. Forces the eligibility for the Non-Article 5 Medal for service with the
ISAF are those who are members of units or staffs as set out in the Joint
Operations Area taking part in operations in Afghanistan. The area of
eligibility is delineated by ISAF's political boundaries. The service must
be a minimum of 30 days either continuous or accumulated, from 1 June
2003 to a date to be determined. The Canadian government allow its soldiers
to accept, but not wear the medal officially, unlike many other NATO
member forces who allow their soldiers to wear the medal. The British
government does not allow its personnel to accept or wear the medal as a
separate British Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan has been issued
and, due to a long-standing ruling, British personnel are not allowed to
wear two medals for the same campaign or operation. NATO campaign medals where a
British decoration has not been issued, like the award for Operation Unified
Protector, may be worn. On 24 July 2012, the United States
Department of Defense announced that NATO medals for operations in Libya and
Africa havd been approved for acceptance and wear by eligible US service members
and DOD civilian personnel. NATO Meritorious Service Medal
The NATO Meritorious Service Medal was first awarded in 2003 to commend NATO
staff whose personal initiative and dedication went beyond their duty to
make a difference both to their colleagues, and to NATO as an
organisation. The Medal is the personal Award of The Secretary General of NATO,
who signs each citation. Less than 50 medals are awarded each year and it
remains the only significant award for individual personal effort for NATO
staff; and can be awarded to Military and Civilian staff alike. When assessing
nominations for the award, there are several criteria taken into
consideration: the performance of acts of courage in difficult or dangerous
circumstances; showing exceptional leadership or personal example; making
an outstanding individual contribution to a NATO sponsored programme or
activity; or enduring particular hardship or deprivation in the interest
of NATO. The NATO Meritorious Service Medal is now authorised for wear on U.S.
Military uniforms. Service versions
To differentiate between the versions of the NATO Medal, a different ribbon
pattern scheme is used for each of the decorations. The NATO Medal for
Yugoslavia Service consists of a blue ribbon with two thin white stripes on
each side, very similar in appearance to the United Nations Medal. The NATO Medal
for Kosovo service appears as a mixed blue and white stripped ribbon, with
white stripes on the side as well as a wide white central stripe. The NATO
Medal for Macedonia appears as a blue and white mixed ribbon with four white
stripes. The Article 5 NATO Medal for Operation Eagle Assist has a blue
background with a thin central golden stripe surrounded by white stripes. The
Article 5 Medal for Operation Active Endeavour has a blue background with two
thin golden colored stripes surrounded by white stripes. The Non-Article 5
medal for the Balkans operations consists of a blue background with a
central silver stripe surrounded by white stripes. The Non Article 5 Medal
for ISAF, and NTM-I operations consists of a blue background with two silver
stripes surrounded by white stripes. The NATO Meritorious Service Medal consists
of a blue background with silver and white stripes on the outer most portion
of the ribbon, and the medallion color is changed from bronze in appearance to
a silver medallion for this medal only. All medals except the Macedonian NATO
Medal have corresponding campaign clasps, however some militaries prohibit
the wearing of the medal with a clasp and instead authorize service stars.
For U.S. Forces, a bronze service star indicates additional awards of the NATO
Medal. As of May 2013, only the basic NATO ribbon may be worn for U. S.
services. The ribbon worn will be the first campaign awarded with subsequent
campaigns indicated with a bronze service star. Most military services
besides the U.S. will allow both decorations to be worn simultaneously as
they are considered separate awards. NATO medals authorized for wear include
the NATO Medal for Former Yugoslavia, the NATO Medal for Kosovo Service, both
of the Article 5 Medals, the Non-Article 5 medals for the Balkans and
Afghanistan, The NATO Meritorious Service Medal and the Macedonia NATO
Medal and the Non-Article 5 Medal for service in Iraq, under the NTM-I.
Previously awarded Currently awarded
See also Peacekeeping
IFOR SFOR
Kosovo Force Notes
External links NATO Article 5 Medals, Non Article 5
Medals, and the NATO Meritorious Service Medal
History of NATO Medals - NATO official website
Army Human Resource Command FAQ NATO Medal